Introduction

Welcome to Geology 200: Introductory Physical Geology. This Study Guide will be your road map through the course. Each unit in the Study Guide begins with a short introduction and a list of unit objectives. Unit objectives set out what you are expected to achieve by the completion of the unit. These objectives can serve as a valuable guide as you proceed through each unit and study for the examinations.

The units are divided into sections, each of which contains one or more reading assignments. The main course text is Physical Geology (15th ed.), by Charles C. Plummer, Dianne H. Carlson, and Lisa Hammersley (New York: McGraw Hill, 2016). All assigned readings can be found in the textbook.

In addition to reading assignments, the Study Guide contains study questions and commentary. After each reading assignment, you will find a list of questions on material covered; answers to these questions are given towards the end of the unit. Please answer these questions without looking at the answers; then check to see how closely your answers correspond with those given. A self-study quiz is also provided at the end of each unit to help you review the unit as a whole. As with the study questions, record your answers before looking at the answers provided.

At the end of the Study Guide, you will find a list of references and supplementary materials, which can be used in researching in your course project, and an Appendix on Interpreting Ternary Diagrams.

This course also has a laboratory component. The textbook for the laboratory exercises is:

Cronin, V. S. (Ed.), & Tasa, D. (Illus.). (2018). Laboratory Manual in Physical Geography (11th ed.). New York: Pearson.

The laboratory exercises you are required to complete are found in the Assessment section of the course homepage. The Course Orientation document suggests a study schedule with a timeline for completing the assignments and exams. If you have any questions as you progress through the course, please contact your tutor.

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