ENS 235 Physical Geography of the Natural Environment
This course will address the patterns and processes of the Earth’s physical systems including the atmosphere, tectonics and landforms, water and river systems, ecosystem dynamics, as well as human impacts on these systems. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to understand and appreciate the natural processes that occur every day or over every year. The basics of meteorology (study of the atmosphere and weather), climatology (longer-term trends in weather and its variation over the earth), biogeography (distribution of life on earth) and geomorphology (processes that shape the surface of the earth). Students will also understand the important properties of maps and students will use maps and digital mapping tools to explore spatial patterns on earth.