Geography: Weather, Climate & Landscapes

Introduction to the fundamentals of weather, climate, landform evolution, and plant distribution using a systems approach. Focus on variation in processes over space and time.

Asynchronous online

Course Description Weather, Climate and Landscapes is an introduction to physical geography, the study of the earth’s atmosphere, weather and climate, water resources, landforms and ecosystems. In this course, we will explore the composition and function of the atmosphere, the flow of energy and mass between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, and the resulting climate patterns. We will explore how evidence of past climate can tell us about our current and future world. We will also examine how weather and climate influence those processes which shape the surface of the earth and influence ecosystems. Themes of global climate change and environmental change are explored in each unit. Finally, we will seek to understand how these processes affect and are affected by human activity. This course fulfills a three-credit Catamount Core science distribution requirement (N1, no lab) at The University of Vermont. There are no prerequisites for this course. It also satisfies a major requirement for Geography BA, the Geosciences BA and BSc, and for the Global Climate and Environmental Change concentration in Environmental Sciences. Catamount Core Curriculum Designation N1: Natural Science (without lab): Students completing a course fulfilling the N1: Natural Science (without lab) requirement will: 1. Demonstrate familiarity with scientific thought, observation, analysis, experimentation, and formal hypothesis testing in relation to the general field or topic of the course. 2. As appropriate to the level and field of the course, make informed judgments about scientific information and arguments related to the natural world. 3. As appropriate to the level and field of the course, use appropriate theories and models to predict change in natural systems over time.

Course Learning Goals 1. Students will be able to describe key system components within the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere and explain how processes (comprised of these component) operate within these systems (comprehension). 2. Students will be able to construct and apply conceptual and mathematical models illustrating earth’s processes, including the flow of energy and mass within and between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere, and at different scales. (application) 3. Students will apply these models within the context of current and future global climate and environmental change to predict/hypothesize future outcomes. (application, analysis) 4. Students will be able to synthesize knowledge of atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and/or biosphere components and processes to interpret and explain the spatial distribution of environmental variables on the earth’s surface. (comprehension, application, synthesis) 5. Students will be able to illustrate, analyze and interpret environmental science data. (application, analysis, evaluation) 6. Students will be able to articulate “why (physical) geography matters” in relationship to environmental and climate challenges in the 21st century. Course Modality For the summer, the course content will be delivered online and can be found on the course Brightspace (BS) page. Course content will be organized into modules with associated readings, written lectures, videos and quizzes. Readings will provide an overview of important course material. Written lectures will be used to expand and deepen understanding of fundamental concepts. Associated videos will highlight current topics and explain difficult concepts. Quizzes will reinforce the current module’s learning goals.

Grades in the course will be based on homework exercises and exams as follows: Quizzes (50%) Regular quizzes are designed to keep you current with lecture material and the text. It is also meant to provide you with opportunities to apply your learning. Six quizzes will be posted on Brightspace for you to complete. All quizzes will be turned in via a link on Brightspace. Each quiz will focus on practicing your skills in making basic calculations, interpreting graphs and maps, and synthesizing lecture and reading concepts. Quizzes are due on Brightspace by midnight (11:59 pm). Quiz Schedule Quiz # Date Due 1 (module 1-2) Wednesday, May 20 2 (module 3-4) Tuesday, May 26 3 (module 5-7) Friday, May 29 4 (module 8-9) Thursday, June 4 5 (module 10-11) Sunday, June 7 6 (module 12-13) Thursday, June 11 Exams (50%) There will be three exams - Exam 1 (15%), Exam 2 (15%) and the Final Exam (20%). All exams will cover material in the course modules, including lectures, quizzes, readings and videos. The exams will be given on-line and will be open-book, but you must do your own work. You may take the exams anytime during the assigned time block on the set exam date (7:00 am – midnight or 11:59 pm), but you will be limited to 75 minutes to complete the exam. Once you start the exam on Brightspace, you must finish it within 75 minutes. Review questions will be made available on Brightspace prior to each exam. The Final Exam will be available on Friday, June 12, 2026 on Brightspace. The final exam will be comprehensive, covering material from the entire session. Exam Dates Material Format Exam I Monday, June 1 Module 1-7 Open book, on-line, 75 min Exam II Monday, June 8 Module 8-11 Open book, on-line, 75 min Final Exam Friday, June 12 Module 1-13* Open book, on-line, 75 min *Final exam will be comprehensive based on material from modules 1-14, but ¼ to ⅓ of the questions will focus on modules 12-13. Course Grading Scale A+ (97-100) B+ (87-89) C+ (77-79) D+ (67-69) F (below 60) A (94-96) B (84-86) C (74-76) D (64-66) A- (90-93) B- (80-83) C- (70-73) D- (60-63)