GEOG. 211, Geography of Environmental Systems Laboratory

University of Maryland Department of Geography

Fall 2007 Syllabus

TAs: TBD

Office:

Office hours: TBD,  E-mail

Sections:

0101  M......... 9:00am-11:00am (LEF 1136) Lab

0201  W.........11:00am- 1:00pm (LEF 1136) Lab

0301  M.........11:00am- 1:00pm (LEF 1136) Lab

0401  Th........ 9:00am-11:00am (LEF 1136) Lab

0501  W......... 9:00am-11:00am (LEF 1136) Lab

0601  F.........11:00am - 1:00pm (LEF 1136) Lab

Course Web-site: http://www.geog.umd.edu/homepage/courses/201/index211.htm

The course web-site is an important component of the class. Not only will it contain any pertinent information related to GEOG. 211, it will also provide you with updated information on the labs, as well as announcements affecting the class schedule. Make sure you use it.

Required texts:

1. Geography of Environmental Systems Laboratory Manual, revised edition (Fall 2006). University of Maryland Department of Geography. Available at the Maryland Book Exchange on Route 1.

2. Christopherson, Robert W. (2007). Elemental Geosystems, 5th edition. Prentice Hall. (The 4^th edition may also be used during the fall semester.)

Note: Students are required to bring the lab manual and textbook to every class. The in-class exercises cannot be completed without these materials.

Course Description: This course is a laboratory to accompany GEOG. 201. It provides an introduction to methods and techniques used in the study of environmental systems. The exercises will incorporate geographic concepts with basic methodology. You will have the opportunity to use the latest geographic technology, work with real data sets, and learn basic outdoor fieldwork skills. Members of this Geography department have developed the labs; many stem from their own geographic research. This course provides a hands-on learning experience with very little lecture time.

Note: This class will count for the CORE Physical Science Lab (PL) course only when taken concurrently with GEOG201. This is a 2 hr, 1 credit lab which parallels GEOG201. It is required for Geography majors.

Location: The location of each class meeting will be specified on this syllabus, which will also be posted on the course web-site. Classes will usually meet in the Open Lab (1136/1138 Lefrak), but we will also be meeting at outdoor locations for two of the labs. It is YOUR responsibility to report to the correct meeting location, which may vary from week to week.

Outdoor labs: There are two exercises which require an outdoor component, Topographic Maps and Stream Flow. (Long pants are strongly recommended for these labs to prevent exposure to poison ivy). In the event of inclement weather, check the Announcements link on the GEOG211 web page to find out where your class will meet. The TA will post any schedule changes there. You are still responsible for completing and turning in the assigned homework for the field labs.

Attendance policy: Due to the nature of this course, attendance is mandatory. However, if an illness or a bone fide emergency precludes your attendance, you should immediately contact your TA by e-mail with an explanation of your absence. Documentation must be available and make-ups can be made only with the permission of your lab instructor.

If you know in advance that you must miss a lab (for a religious holiday, for example), inform your TA as early as possible so that proper arrangements can be made. You will not be permitted to attend other lab sections without your TA’s permission. Otherwise, you must always attend the lab section for which you are registered. Outdoor, field-based labs cannot be made up.

It is important that you come to class on time as each lab must be completed in the time allotted. If you are excessively late, it may be counted as an absence. To avoid problems with attendance and punctuality, it is your responsibility to pay attention to the syllabus and to the class web page.

Assignments:: Assignments generally have two parts: a homework section and a lab exercise. Homework is due at the beginning of class, and lab exercises are due at the end of class. The labs are designed to be completed in the time allotted. If you are unable to finish the lab by the end of the class period, then the TA will make special arrangements.

Grading: Grades for GEOG211 are completely separate from grades for 201. GEOG201 grades do not affect the outcome of your grade in GEOG211 and vice versa. All the labs are worth 100 points. There are no exams, quizzes or research papers. Out of 1,000 points the grade calculations are as follows:

A+ = 978-1000 A = 923-977 ; A-= 890-922; B+ = 857-889; B = 813-856; B- = 780-812;C+ = 747-779; C = 703-746; C- = 670-702; D+ = 637-669; D = 593-668; D- = 560-592 F < 560

Academic integrity: Even though many in-class assignments incorporate group work, you must complete each assignment on your own. Homework must be completed individually.

You are bound by the University Code of Academic Integrity. The code requires students to undertake to abstain from cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in two courses without authorization, buying papers, submitting fraudulent documents, and forging signatures. It states, "Academic dishonesty is a serious offense which may result in suspension or expulsion from the University."

The University has a nationally recognized Honor Code, administered by the Student Honor Council. The Student Honor Council proposed and the University Senate approved an Honor Pledge. The University of Maryland Honor Pledge reads:

“I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination.”

Unless you are specifically advised to the contrary, the Pledge statement should be handwritten and signed on the front cover of all papers, projects, or other academic assignments submitted for evaluation in this course.

Please note the following:

·        All labs meet in room 1138 LeFrak Hall, EXCEPT the Stream Flow Lab that will meet outside of Martin Hall / Engineering Bldg. near the intersection of Paint Branch and Campus Drive.

·        The last day of regular classes is Tuesday, Dec. 11. Any makeup work must be completed by Dec. 11. Note: The Topographic Maps and Stream Flow labs involve outdoor work that cannot be made up.

·        The assigned pre-lab reading is essential in this course. Without the reading you will be unable to understand the lab exercises.

GEOG. 211 Lab Schedule, Fall 2007

The Lab Schedule is subject to change by the Instructor or TA.