Course Syllabus
G108 LAB - Physical Systems of the Environment (20826)
Lecturer: Andy Baker
Email: bakeran@iu.edu
Office: Cavanaugh Hall, 207 C
This is a "First 8 Weeks" course.
GEOG-G108 material begins Monday, January 12 and ends Sunday, March 15.
There is no required textbook or lab manual.
All lab materials are available to students for free.
This lab is an Asynchronous Online (AO) course.
We have no required on-campus, off-campus, or online meetings.
G108 is in the General Education Core - Life & Physical Sciences.
Please read the following course guidelines carefully & completely.
It will be useful if you can do as many of the following:
-scan and upload documents to Canvas,
-screenshot your device/computer, or
-capture/upload photographs from a smartphone/device
FYI: Any text in blue font and highlight like THIS is a link to specific course content.
Grading and Assessments of Learning
There are 140 total points in this course.
Lab 1: 10 points
Lab 2: 10 points
Lab 3: 10 points
Lab 4: 10 points
Lab 5: 10 points
Lab 6: 10 points
Midterm Exam: 15 points
Lab 7: 10 points
Lab 8: 10 points
Lab 9: 10 points
Lab 10: 10 points
Final Exam: 25 points
Final Course Grades (Grading Scale)
136 - 140 = A+
130 - 135 = A
126 - 129 = A-
122 - 125 = B+
116 - 121 = B
112 - 115 = B-
108 - 111 = C+
102 - 107 = C
98 - 101 = C-
94 - 97 = D+
91 - 93 = D
89 - 90 = D-
0 - 88 = F
Lab Exercises
There are 10 labs, each one worth 10 points. This means there are 100 total points for the labs comprising two-thirds of your final grade. You can find the labs in Modules, Assignments, or by clicking on each link in blue below.
Each 10-point lab will be structured differently, but you will submit all of your completed lab reports online via "Assignments" in Canvas.
The due dates for each lab are listed below. Labs are opened in pairs and available for two weeks. That means you have two weeks to complete two different labs.
Lab 1: Opens Monday, January 12 and is due before 11:59pm Sunday, January 25
Lab 2: Opens Monday, January 12 and is due before 11:59pm Sunday, January 25
Lab 3: Opens Monday, January 19 and is due before 11:59pm Sunday, February 1
Lab 4: Opens Monday, January 19 and is due before 11:59pm Sunday, February 1
Lab 5: Opens Monday, January 26 and is due before 11:59pm Sunday, February 8
Lab 6: Opens Monday, January 26 and is due before 11:59pm Sunday, February 8
Lab 7: Opens Monday, February 16 and is due before 11:59pm Sunday, March 1
Lab 8: Opens Monday, February 16 and is due before 11:59pm Sunday, March 1
Lab 9: Opens Monday, February 23 and is due before 11:59pm Monday, March 8
Lab 10: Opens Monday, February 23 and is due before 11:59pm Monday, March 8
For the labs, you can work together, but the lab you turn in must be your own (i.e. you write your own answers) and not a copy of those you worked with. Lab reports should be written neatly and concisely. Any calculations should be clearly indicated, and you must state any assumptions you make. The majority of points will be for the correct method, not the final numerical answer. In other words, always show your work.
Your completed labs will be returned to you with my grading feedback and notations as soon as possible. These completed labs are great resources to use in your Midterm Exam and Final Exam preparations. Speaking of the Exams...
Midterm Exam
The Midterm Exam will be available to you HERE on Wednesday, February 11 at 12:01pm. This exam is due before 11:59pm on Sunday, February 15. In other words, you have 5 days to complete the Midterm Exam. Labs 1-6 form the basis for the questions on this 15-point Exam.
Final Exam
The Final Exam will be available to you HERE on Wednesday, March 11 at 12:01pm. This exam is due before 11:59pm on Sunday, March 15. You have 5 days to complete the Final Exam. Labs 1-10 (especially 6-10) form the basis for the questions on this 25-point Exam.
Student Resources Available on Campus & Other Course Information
University Information Technology Support:
Please contact the UITS Support Center (317-274-4357) if you have a computer, network, or technical problem. They have an online chat option here: https://ithelplive.iu.edu/. They are very helpful. I have called them many times and in every instance, they provided information to correct my problem. You will have to provide your user-id to speak with one of the consultants employed there. This is a free service to IU students, faculty, and staff.
Accessible Education Services (AES):
Students needing accommodations because of a disability will need to register with Accessible Educational Services (AES) and complete the appropriate forms issued by AES before accommodations will be given. The AES office is located in Taylor Hall, UC 100. You can also reach the office by calling 274-3241. Visit Accessible Education Services for more information.
Dean of Students/Student Advocate:
You should be aware that the campus Student Advocate Office can help you overcome obstacles towards your academic goals. The Advocate will answer your questions, direct you to the appropriate departments and people, familiarize you with university policies and procedures, and give you guidance as you look at ways to solve problems and make choices. The Student Advocate Office is located in UC002 and can be contacted by phone at 278-7594 or email at stuadvoc@iu.edu.
Withdrawals and incompletes:
You may withdraw with an automatic “W” through the stated date in the Academic Calendar. Withdrawals after that date will be assigned a grade of “F”. Incompletes will not be given except in cases of documented medical emergencies or illness.
IU Indianapolis Withdraw Deadlines
Click HERE or contact IU Indy Registrar at 317-274-1519 or indyregr@iu.edu.
Administrative Withdrawal:
A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in all class activities and assessments and conscientiously complete all required course activities and/or assignments. Keep in touch with me if you q1are unable to attend, participate, or complete an assignment on time. If you miss more than half of the required activities within the first 25% of the course without contacting me, you may be administratively withdrawn from this course. Administrative withdrawal may have academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please contact me.
Academic Integrity and Misconduct:
Please read the IU Student Code of Conduct carefully by clicking HERE. I assume that you have read and agree with all terms of the Code and will grade your submitted assessments & evaluate your communications accordingly. The consequences of academic dishonesty range from a warning, penalty, or removal from university, depending on the severity of your fraud.
What is cheating? Any one of the following situations involves cheating:
- copying the answers from a lab obtained from another person in the class or from a previous term
- having the aid of another person, electronically or physically, to assist you in selecting an answer on an exam
- having another person complete a lab or take an exam for you
Course Description
“GEOG-G108 Physical Systems of the Environment Laboratory (2 cr.) Laboratory session to complement Geog 107. Field lab and web-based exercises that involve the collection and analysis of data on weather and climate, hydrology, maps, vegetation, soils, and landforms. This laboratory session is optional for students enrolling in G107 and fulfills the lab science requirement in many schools.”
–from the Indiana University Bulletin
Student Learning Outcomes
Below are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) achieved upon completion of this course. These are the foundation upon which all course material and assessments of student learning are based. Each of these three outcomes also specifically connect to both the Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success (IUPUI+) and Indiana Statewide Transfer General Education Core (STGEC). These specific STGEC outcomes relate to the “Scientific Ways of Knowing” (4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5) and are also included below each SLO.
1) Demonstrate knowledge of Physical Geography and the data, methods, and techniques used to observe, measure, record, and report on our physical environment. IUPUI+ Profile: Communicator – Evaluates information, conveys ideas effectively; STGEC: Scientific Ways of Knowing (4.1, 4.3)
2) Utilize computer and digital applications of geospatial technologies, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Remote Sensing. IUPUI+ Profile: Innovator – Investigates; Creates and designs; STGEC: Scientific Ways of Knowing (4.4)
3) Apply scientific principles, theories, and models associated with Physical Geography to explain, analyze, and predict the behavior of natural phenomena. IUPUI+ Profile: Problem Solver – Analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates; STGEC: Scientific Ways of Knowing (4.5)