Physical Geography Laboratory Manual

This Physical Geography Laboratory Manual is designed for a one semester course. Each unit roughly corresponds to one chapter in most of today's textbooks available on the topic.

Individual units follow the traditional sequence of most physical geography textbooks. However, each stands by itself, and changing the sequence as needed should present little difficulty for the instructor. Most units can be completed within a 2-hour laboratory period. Each is presented as a framework for students, which challenges students to rely on creativity and self-discovery, using available resources. Engaging discussions between students and instructor are encouraged during the lab, so that students do not leave the session confused or with incorrect answers.

This manual is designed for a student population of mostly non-science majors, who require core science curriculum, but may otherwise never step into another science classroom. Some of the unit questions and many of the supplemental units provide exposure to linkages between these lecture and laboratory ideas with their current or possible future life experiences. Most quantitative work involves English units, although we provide opportunities, at the instructor's prerogative, to convert to and work in metric equivalents. The text contains Google Earth exercises within the manual which supplement the lecture and laboratory material. The Google Earth exercises will give the students experience working with Geospatial technologies and deepen their understanding of our physical geography world.