Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - GEOG 111 D100

Earth Systems (3)

Class Number: 3884

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to landforms, climates, soils and vegetation; their origins, distributions, interrelationships and roles in the ecosystem. Laboratory work and field trips are included. Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

Atmospheric rivers, changing sea levels, and fast flowing outlet glaciers are active physical processes that have the potential to impact human behaviour. Learn how these and other systems are linked through an overview of major Earth Systems. This course serves as introduction to significant global scale issues on climate, global circulation, tectonics and geomorphology. You will interact with the dynamic relationship between the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere at global to local scales and learn how the geographic sciences contribute to our understanding of these systems. Broadly, students will gain insight into how humans engage their physical environment in areas such as hazards, climate change, and ecosystem management while developing finely tuned applied skills in understanding geographic communication, working with spatial data and predicting rates of geographic change.

There are no in-person lab meetings scheduled during the first week of classes.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Learners will demonstrate a basic understanding of the operation and interconnection of Earth’s lithospheric, atmospheric, hydrologic and biogeographic systems.
  • Learners will display, explore, analyze, and interpret geoscience data.
  • Learners will recognize connections between Earth system function and apply knowledge of those connections to geoscience issues at the local to global scale.
  • Learners will identify how and where geographers work to positively influence their world.

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Labs 40%
  • Lecture Quizzes 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Access to online e-textbook resources (free and open-source access through your web browser) and readings/materials on SFU’s CANVAS learning management system.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.