1. Introduction
Scientific method
Systems theory and its application to planet Earth
Sun / Earth geometry
2. Solar Energy and Radiation Laws
First Law of Thermodynamics
Electromagnetic radiation
Wien’s Displacement Law, Stephan-Boltzmann Law and the Inverse Square Law
Variation in the receipt of solar radiation
3. The Earth's Atmosphere
Evolution of the modern atmosphere
Classification of the atmosphere
Anthropogenic atmospheric pollutants and their effects
4. Energy Concepts, Energy Balance
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Energy transfer, transmission and absorption
Heat energy concepts
Radiation and energy balances
5. Temperature Variation
Influences on temperature
Temperature patterns
Measurement of temperature
6. Pressure and Atmospheric Circulation
Pressure and its variation, distribution and measurement
Gas Law
Forces influencing the direction and speed of upper level and surface winds
Patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation
Macro- and meso-scale winds
7. Moisture in the Atmosphere
Indices of water vapour content
Methods and forms of condensation
Mechanisms and forms of precipitation
8. Adiabatic Processes and Stability
Diabatic and adiabatic processes
Lapse rates
Concept and types of stability
9. Air Masses, Fronts, Mid-latitude Cyclones
Air mass formation, classification and modification
Front types, formation and characteristics
Development, evolution and movement of mid-latitude cyclones
Anticyclones
10 Severe Weather
Characteristics and life-cycles of air mass and severe thunderstorms
Tornado formation, characteristics and dimensions
Hurricane development, characteristics, structure, forecasts and damage
11. Biogeography
Ecological biogeography and its relationship to climatic patterns
Abiotic and biotic influences on primary productivity in various ecosystems
Trophic relationships in ecosystems
Stages of general ecological succession in ecosystems
12. Climate Change
Evidence for past climate variation
Urban heat island
Atmospheric greenhouse effect and critical analyses of global warming predictions
Local actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: lecture, labs, field work, analysis and interpretation of surface weather charts and satellite images, multimedia, individual and/or team projects and small group discussions.
The evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria during the first week of classes.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
| Laboratory Assignments | 10% |
| Laboratory Exams | 30% |
| Midterm Exam | 25% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
| Term Project | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Note: This course received a standing variance from Education Council in June 2016 to allow up to a 20% lab exam during the last 14 calendar days of the semester. This is not a final exam; it is an assessment of student learning of lab work performed in the second half of the semester.
At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:
| Institution | Transfer Details | Effective Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Camosun College (CAMO) | CAMO GEOG 272 (3) | 2013/01/01 to - |
| Capilano University (CAPU) | CAPU GEOG 114 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2014/08/31 |
| Capilano University (CAPU) | CAPU GEOG 114 (4) | 2014/09/01 to - |
| Coquitlam College (COQU) | COQU GEOG 101 (3) | 2008/09/01 to - |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) | KPU GEOG 1110 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) | KPU GEOG 1110 (3) | 2008/09/01 to 2020/08/31 |
| Langara College (LANG) | LANG GEOG 1180 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| Langara College (LANG) | LANG GEOG 1180 (3) | 2008/09/01 to - |
| Okanagan College (OC) | OC GEOG 111 (3) | 2015/09/01 to - |
| Simon Fraser University (SFU) | DOUG EAES 1120 (3) & DOUG GEOG 1110 (4) = SFU EASC 101 (3) & SFU GEOG 111 (3) & SFU GEOG 1XX (1), B-Sci | 2016/05/01 to - |
| Simon Fraser University (SFU) | SFU GEOG 1XX (3), B-Sci & SFU GEOG 1XX (1), Physical A; DOUG GEOG 1110 (4) & DOUG GEOG 1120 (4) = SFU GEOG 111 (3), B-Sci & SFU EASC 101 (3) - B-Sci & SFU GEOG 1XX (1); DOUG GEOG 1110 (4) & DOUG GEOG 1120 (4) = SFU EASC 101 (3) & SFU GEOG 111 (3) & SFU GEOG 1XX (1), B-Sci | 2008/09/01 to - |
| Simon Fraser University (SFU) | SFU GEOG 1XX (3), B-Sci, Physical A; DOUG GEOG 1110 (3) & DOUG GEOG 1120 (3) = SFU GEOG 111 (3), B-Sci & SFU EASC 101 (3) - B-Sci; DOUG GEOG 1110 (3) & DOUG GEOG 1120 (4) = SFU EASC 101 (3) & SFU GEOG 111 (3), B-Sci | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| Simon Fraser University (SFU) | DOUG GEOG 1110 (4) & DOUG GEOL 1120 (3) = SFU EASC 101 (3) & SFU GEOG 111 (3), B-Sci | 2004/09/01 to 2019/04/30 |
| Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU GEOG 122 (3) | 2008/09/01 to 2010/08/31 |
| Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU GEOG 122 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU GEOG 1220 (3) | 2010/09/01 to - |
| Trinity Western University (TWU) | TWU GEOG 101 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| Trinity Western University (TWU) | TWU GEOG 1XX (3), *NATS, lab | 2009/09/01 to - |
| Trinity Western University (TWU) | TWU GEOG 1XX (3) | 2008/09/01 to 2009/08/31 |
| University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) | UBCO GEOG 108 (3) | 2005/05/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) | UBCO GEOG 108 (3) | 2008/09/01 to - |
| University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | UBCV GEOG 102 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | UBCV GEOB 102 (3) | 2008/09/01 to - |
| University of Northern BC (UNBC) | UNBC ENSC 201 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| University of Northern BC (UNBC) | UNBC ENSC 201 (3) | 2008/09/01 to - |
| University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) | UFV GEOG 101 (4) | 2008/09/01 to 2019/12/31 |
| University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) | UFV GEOG 103 (4) | 2019/09/01 to - |
| University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) | UFV GEOG 101 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| University of Victoria (UVIC) | UVIC GEOG 110 (1.5) | 2004/09/01 to 2008/08/31 |
| University of Victoria (UVIC) | UVIC GEOG 1XX (1.5); DOUG GEOG 1110 (4) & DOUG GEOG 1120 (4) = UVIC GEOG 103 (1.5) & UVIC GEOG 1XX (1.5) | 2011/09/01 to - |
| University of Victoria (UVIC) | UVIC GEOG 110 (1.5) | 2008/09/01 to 2011/08/31 |
| Vancouver Island University (VIU) | VIU GEOG 1st (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2019/12/31 |
| Vancouver Island University (VIU) | VIU GEOG 211 (3) | 2020/01/01 to - |