The exam covers chapters 8-11 in 4CE (Chapters 8-10 in 3CE), 20, Christianity and the Environment notes, and Labs 4-6

Format

The exam is structured like this …

A. Multiple choice questions

For example

 Biogeography refers to

          a. the global variation in the distribution of living organisms

          b. the autobiography of Herodotus, recognized as the father of modern geographical study

         c. a toxic biohazard in your fridge

        Hopefully you’ll pick (a)! 

B. Short answer questions … I’ve given you five possibilities, you get to choose to write on four of them.  See the text website for examples.

For example:

Define and describe the difference between a tornado and a hurricane ….

you would tell me a little bit about each type of intense weather activity (no, not the fighter aircraft with those names!)

C. A few “other” questions.  Similar to questions on your labs, I’ve given you diagrams, and asked you some questions about them.  Or I’ve given you some blank diagrams and asked you to complete them.  Again, please take note of the things I’ve highlighted as important in my notes!  I didn’t highlight them for my health!!!  For instance (HINT) know when air cools/warms at the MAR/DAR, cold/warm/occluded fronts, and where you would find each of the major global climatic regions.

 How to Study …

  1. The College provides study resources. Check them out.
  2. Read over the online notes.  The exam is based on them.
  3. Make your own notes based on what you read.
  4. Quiz yourself.
  5. Use the questions at the end of each chapter in the text as a guide to study
  6. Make up your own questions to test yourself
  7. Use flashcards for key terms and concepts
  8. As you read the notes, do use the figures in the text (an online resources) as references. The figures/pictures really help you visualize what you’re studying.
  9. Review the chapters in the text.  Note that I will NOT ask you anything that is only in the text, but not in your notes
  10. Review Labs 4-6
  11. Check out the resources at www.masteringgeography.com.  There are review questions and practice quizzes on the site (if you don’t have access it’s not essential, but it may be useful).

Some things to make sure you look over

(not an exhaustive list, but these will show up in some form …)

  • various air masses (mT, mP etc)
  • different climate zones
  • actual and potential evapotranspiration/soil moisture deficits/etc
  • various biomes
  • what influences climate
  • DAR/MAR
  • ecosystems
  • net primary productivity
  • various fronts (warm/cold/etc)
  • basic cloud types
  • biodiversity
  • cyclones and anticlyclones / high and low pressure
  • severe weather
  • theological issues
  • dew point

What Should You Bring or NOT Bring?

You should bring …

  • Yourself!  (refreshed, relaxed, invigorated, empowered by the Spirit)
  • A pen (and pencil if you wish, for the diagrams).

You should NOT bring …

  • Your text or notes (sorry, this exam is not open book!)
  • Your cousin (a geography graduate student at Cambridge University)
  • Any crib notes, cheat sheets, or other “aids”
  • Any electronic or communications devices, including cell phones, blackberries, iPods, etc.

You do not need a calculator or any other high-tech stuff!

That’s about it!  Study hard!  I know there is lots to know and lots to memorize (the plague of introductory science courses!), but go at it!

Try to remember that this is God’s creation we are studying (it’s one of the symptoms of the Fall that studying divine artistry seems like drudgery!).   As you study the Earth-Atmosphere system, you are studying God’s handiwork!  You are doing theology (learning about God)!  Hard though it is, try to keep that perspective going …

God bless,

Bruce