Each Part of the course is followed by an examination that assesses your knowledge and understanding of the topics studied. There are Web Learning Modules that include practice quizzes for each of the topics in the course. You will find computer tutorials on the GEODe:  Earth Science CD-ROM for most topics. (The CD-ROM is included with the textbook.) These Web Learning Modules and computer tutorials should be completed before class at home or in the third floor Drop-In Computer Lab.

Classes will be in the lecture/discussion format with full use of visual aids. As part of a learning community you participate in some in-class activities with other students. Each topic is included in the Physical Geography Study Guide that you receive at the beginning of each part of the course. The study guide presents the chief ideas or concepts of the topic and clearly defines study objectives. Study Questions to accompany the GEODe CD-ROM can be printed for most topics from the Web Learning Modules. Remember to bring the Study Guide to class. Use a thick binder to hold the study guide and to organize your class handouts and quizzes.

PREPARATION AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
You should complete the assigned reading, computer tutorials, and Web Learning Modules before you come to the class on that topic. Refer to the Physical Geography Assignments sheet. Prepare for the class by taking notes and asking questions on the material that you do not understand.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
There will be one written assignment or project. You receive more details about this assignment in a separate handout. Plan ahead and note the due dates.
Turn in the assignment on time in digital form to TURNITIN.COM (See Turnitin Handout.).
Points will be deducted for late assignments.
You cannot expect to pass this course if you do not turn in the assignment.

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WEB LEARNING MODULES -
About the Learning Modules

The GEODe CD-ROM tutorials and the Web Learning Modules with practice quizzes, are an integral part of the physical geography course. You can use them in two ways:
 

• If you have a computer with a CD-ROM drive and have access to the Web, you can use the Web Learning Modules and the GEODe CD-ROM that accompanies the textbook at home.

 
• If you do not have a computer at home, set aside time so that you can use the GEODe CD-ROM tutorials and the Web Learning Modules with practice quizzes in the third floor Drop-In Computer Lab.

MINI QUIZZES AND IN-CLASS EXERCISES
I give frequent 10-point in-class quizzes to encourage you to keep up with your reading and to enable you to measure your progress. Questions may include multiple-choice, modified true-false, open-ended, and matching. Some questions will involve the analysis of maps, diagrams, or statistics. There will be NO make-up quizzes. Instead, the best 10 quizzes will make up your final quiz score. Please buy a packet of the small Scantron quizstrips for these quizzes.

EXAMINATIONS
There are THREE examinations. Each of these exams is worth 100 points and covers
1. Weather and Climate - MIDTERM One
2. Earth's Internal Processes - MIDTERM Two
3. Earth's External Processes - FINAL
I provide a handout before each exam that describes the most important course material for you to review.

ATTENDANCE - REQUIRED
On-time class attendance points are part of your final grade. You hand in some work during each class. Please do not come to class late or leave early. It is disruptive to your fellow students and unnerving to me, your instructor. You will be dropped if you are absent more than three class hours or miss two quizzes in a row. However, it is your responsibility if you decide to drop the class. Do not count on the instructor to drop you. Check the "drop deadlines" in the Spring 2010 Calendar.

COURSE EVALUATION AND GRADES
TOTAL COURSE POINTS = 550 (Approximately)
     Three exams worth 100 points each (300 points)
     In-Class Quizzes - 100 points (Best 10 of 12 quizzes)
     Attendance and In-Class Assignments - 50 points (Approximately)
     Written Assignment or Project - 100 points

The total number of points that you accumulate during the semester will determine your final course grade. Final grades are based on the following percentages of total points:

A = 90% or over of total points
B = 80-89% of total points
C = 65-79% of total points
D = At least 50% of total points

NOTE:  I do not give grades nor negotiate them, you earn them.

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CLASS PARTICIPATION
Class participation means answering questions in class, asking appropriate questions, contributing to classroom discussion and group activities by sharing information relevant to geography and the environment from newspapers, magazines, and Web sites.

SOME BASIC CLASS RULES

• Do not disturb other students by talking during lecture classes. Private conversations should take place outside class time. However, I encourage you to raise your hand to respond to or ask questions during the class and to make comments on the lecture topics.

 
• During quizzes and examinations, do not look at other student's papers or copy other student's answers. Students who cheat or assist other students in cheating during examinations will receive an F grade.

 
• Please turn OFF your cell phone, iPod, and laptop when entering the classroom and keep them off until you leave the classroom.

 
• No electronic devices of any kind are allowed during examinations.

 
• Do not bring food or beverages into the classroom. Who wants sticky tables and happy ants?

 
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as taking written material from another source such as a fellow student, the Web, a book, article, etc., and passing it off as your own writing. Plagiarism is unacceptable and will result in an "F" grade. Plagiarism is taken seriously at Berkeley City College. To check for plagiarism, assignments must be submitted to Turnitin.com. When working on assignments, make sure that your answers are in your own words. DO NOT cut and paste material from the Web.