Mid Term Study Guide

The exam covers chapters 1-7 (just the bits of Chapter 1 covered in the online notes).

The exam will be a Quiz on Canvas

The exam will be 1.5 hours .  It will include multiple choice and short answer (2-3 sentences or a paragraph or two) questions.

The Exam is NOT open book.  ANY cheating, use of notes, text, or communication during the exam will result in a “0” on the exam and an “F” in the course.

In order to prevent cheating, but in order to provide supervision,  I will set up a Zoom call and send you a link. Please use a separate device for Zoom that shows your workspace (desktop) and YOU, yourself.  🙂

During the exam, please have your camera turned on, so I can make sure you are not using other study materials. 

Know some things including (this is NOT an exhaustive list!) …

  • the basic kinds of clouds and fogs.
  • things that affect temperatures – globally, locally, and over a 24 hour period
  • lapse rates
  • the various forces associated with winds
  • solar radiation and insolation
  • the basic composition of the atmosphere and what various layers ‘do”
  • solar winds/auroras
  • dew point
  • global and local winds (primary, secondary and tertiary)
  • albedo
  • wind chill and heat index
  • high and low pressure
  • stable and unstable air
  • geostrophic winds
  • isotherms and isosbars
  • relative humidity and dew point
  • rainbows
  • air pollution
  • urban effects on temperature
  • continentality

PLEASE take note of the things I’ve highlighted as important in my notes!  I didn’t highlight them for my health (but I did highlight them for yours)!!!   For instance in Chapter 6 online notes I say:  *** Study Figure 6.11, “General atmospheric circulation model” (3CE, p. 146; (Figure 6.12; 2CE, p. 157)).  Know it inside-out!  It will be on the exam in some form or other!  Be prepared!  ***  That’s worth noting!

2. How to Study …

  • The College provides study resources. Check them out.
  • Read over the online notes.  The exam is based on them.
  • Make your own notes based on what you read.
  • Quiz yourself.
  • Use the questions at the end of each chapter in the text as a guide to study
  • Make up your own questions to test yourself
  • Use flashcards for key terms and concepts
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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).

3. On the day of …

  • Make sure you are in a quiet, private place.
  • You DO need a device with a webcam or equivalent for Zoom.  Ideally this will be a second device (like your phone( so it can show your workplace and you, yourself.
  • Do NOT bring your text or notes (sorry, this exam is not open book!)
  • You do NOT need a calculator or ruler

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