Overview
Geography 265 concentrates on the exploration of the geographic patterns and dynamics of the atmosphere and hydrosphere, covering the topics of global radiation, energy and water budgets, temperature and precipitation patterns, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, weather components, and climates.
Outline
GEOG 265 comprises the following 10 units.
- Unit 1: Essentials of Geography
- Unit 2: Solar Energy and the Seasons
- Unit 3: Earth’s Modern Atmosphere
- Unit 4: Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances
- Unit 5: Global Temperatures
- Unit 6: Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations
- Unit 7: Water and Atmospheric Moisture
- Unit 8: Weather
- Unit 9: Water Resources
- Unit 10: Global Climate Systems
Evaluation
To receive credit for GEOG 265, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least a D (50 percent). You must achieve a minimum grade of 60 percent on each examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Five (5) Tutor-Marked Exercises (10% each) | 50% |
| Midterm Exam | 25% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University鈥檚 online Calendar.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course鈥檚 start date:
Christopherson, Robert W., and Mary-Louise Byrne. Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography,Canadian Ed. Vol. 1. Custom Ed. for Athabasca University. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2006.
Christopherson, Robert W., and Charles E. Thomsen. Geosystems: Student Study Guide. Vol. 1. Custom Ed. for Athabasca University. Upper Saddle, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2006.
Christopherson, Robert W., and Charles E. Thomsen. Geography 265 Laboratory Manual: Introductory Physical Geography I. Custom Ed. for Athabasca University. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2007.
Stanford, Quentin H., ed. Canadian Oxford World Atlas. 6th Ed. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press Canada, 2009.
Other Materials
The course materials also include a student manual and a course guide.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the GEOG 265 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Challenge for credit course registration form