GEOG 1332 - Topics in Science

A series of five-week modules on various topics in physical geography. Section 001. Violent Storms. Analysis of the causes, characteristics, and regional patterns of thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes, emphasizing the hazards associated with each type of storm. Section 002. Elementary Surveying. Introduces the various techniques of running a traverse, location of points by intersection and resection, determination of distance by pacing, chaining, stadia and trigonometry and carrying of elevations. Section 003. Basic Navigation. Introduces the principles of navigation using the sun as the celestial body. Emphasis is on determining latitude and longitude at solar noon. Section 004. Earthquakes. The characteristics, causes, and results of earth movements along faults. Section 005. Waves and Beaches. Analysis of wind-generated waves in the open ocean and the changes that occur as waves enter shallow water, forming surf. The tides and seismic sea waves are discussed for comparison. Section 006. Rivers and Flood Plains. Introduces the nature of stream channels and stream landscapes, with emphasis on the problems associated with man’s occupation of such landscapes. Section 007. World Food and Hunger. Analysis of the world food problem with emphasis on the nutritional characteristics of major foods, the physical factors affecting food production, and the potential of the world’s land for producing food. Section 008. Volcanoes. Why do some volcanoes erupt and some flow? Why do they occur where they do? How do they affect the environment and man? We discuss these aspects and other characteristics of volcanoes in this course section. Semester Hours: 1 to 1