GV1IPGNU-Introducing Physical Geography

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Semesters in which taught: Semester 1 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Nicholas Branch
Email: n.p.branch@reading.ac.uk

NUIST Module Lead: Giri Kattel
Email: giri.kattel@unimelb.edu.cn

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module focuses on the basic physical elements of physical geography: Earth-sun relationships, climate, landforms, soils, water and natural vegetation, and their processes, distribution and interrelationship.

The Module lead at NUIST is Professor Giri Kattel (giri.kattel@unimelb.edu.cn).

Aims:

This module is designed to provide students a comprehensive physical geography perspective of the Earth's environment from the atmosphere to the lithosphere by examining the processes that create this environment. Upon successful completion of this module, students will gain a basic understanding of the processes of, and interactions between atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Students will also understand the processes that create the natural environment and how those processes work differently from place to place.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this module, it is expected that a student will be able to:

• Describe seasonal Earth-Sun relations and explain resulting physical phenomena on Earth’s surface.


• Explain basic principles of atmospheric movement, pressure, moisture and insolation that effect weather and climate.


• Describe the hydrosphere and its effect on climate and earth’s landscape.


• Describe earth’s biomes and explain its interrelationship with the natural environment.


• Identify and explain processes by which soil is created.


• Describe of internal and external processes that have formed earth’s landscapes. Identify and explain landforms and topography created in specific environments.


• Discuss the relationship between human activity and the natural environment.

Additional outcomes:

Develop critical thinking skills. Apply the basic knowledge, skills, and principles of physical geography to everyday life. Learn some basic skills at reading and interpreting maps, aerial and satellite photos, and graphs and charts. Plan, execute and report on physical geography fieldwork and use and evaluate the technical skills needed for this. Develop spatial awareness and observation.

Outline content:

The outline content can be summarised in four parts:

1. The atmosphere: atmospheric processes, weather and geographic patterns of climate,


2. The hydrosphere: water in all its phases, movement, and geographic distribution,


3. The biosphere: soil and biographic processes, and resulting geographic patterns,


4. The lithosphere: the formation, modification, and geographic distribution of various landforms.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will be taught through a series lecture during the Autumn Term. Guided independent study will be enabled by carefully selected further reading, supported by class discussions.

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Lectures	46
Practicals classes and workshops	2
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	30
Wider reading (directed)	10
Exam revision/preparation	4
Advance preparation for classes	6
Preparation of practical report	2
Total hours by term	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Written assignment including essay	20
Report	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A midterm exam and a final exam will be given. The midterm exam will cover material since the beginning of the course and will not be comprehensive in nature. The final exam will cover material throughout the entire course and be comprehensive.

The final exam lasts two hours.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

An essay about the understanding to physical geography is set before end of the term. A summary report about cognition practice is needed at the middle of the term. The due dates for both the report and essay are one week form the date when they are assigned.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023