DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

University of Cincinnati

15-041-103

Intro. to Physical Geography                               Professor:  S. Tong

MWF 11:00-12:00 a.m. - Zimmer Aud                          Office:  714 Swift

Spring, 2001                                               Phone:  556-3421

I.  Course Syllabus

Date                         Topic                         Reading in Text

Mar.26,28,30    I.   The Concept of Ecosystem             S&S     C      F&N

                     Its Structure & Dynamics;            Ch.26   Ch.19   Ch.1

                     Ecosystem Structure; Nature of                       Ch.2

                     Energy

Apr.2,4,6            Energy Flow in Ecosystem             Ch.25           Ch.2

Apr.9,11,13          Nutrients Cycling in Ecosystem                       Ch.3

Apr.18,20            Toxic Chemicals Cycling in Ecosystem

Apr.23              EXAM I

Apr.25,27,30    II.  Plant Geography

                     Plant System                         Ch.27   Ch.19   Ch.5

May 2,4,7            Evolution of the Plant System                        Ch.7

May 9                Man's Impact on Vegetation

May 11               EXAM II

May 14,16,18    III. Soil Geography

                     Soil System                          Ch.23  Ch.18    Ch.4

May 21,23,25         Evolution of Soils                   Ch.24           Ch.9

May 30               Man's Impact on the Soil

Jun 1                EXAM III

II.  References 1.   Furley, P.A. & Newey, W.W., Geography of the Biosphere (required).

2.   Strahler, A.H. & Strahler, A.N., Modern Physical Geography, Wiley (optional).

                3.   Christopherson, R.W. Geosystems, Prentice Hall (optional).

III. Course Assessment     Exam I    --  40% (scheduled on Apr. 23)

                           Exam II   --  30% (scheduled on May 11)

                           Exam III  --  30% (scheduled on Jun. 1)