Announcements

*Class will meet on 2 Dec. for a short period; rest of period is for work on final projects*

Course Info

Mountain Geography Tues., 1:10-3:00 pm
Traphagen Hall 116
Tues., 3:10-5:55 pm
Traphagen Hall 204

FIELD TRIPS:
1:10-7:00 pm - meet at  Motor Pool, at 1:10 pm

Website:
www.montana.edu/
phiguera/GEOG430

Links

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Weather and Climate:
NOAA Weather and Climate Products (www.weather.gov):

    Bozeman weather

• local obs.
• forecast (icons)
• forecast (graphs)
• forecast (discus.)

MSU Weather and Climate (GEOG 303) web page

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Snow, Snowpack, and Avalanche Info.:

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Tree identification, ecology, physiology...

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Climate - Vegetation Relationships:

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USGS Northern Rockies Science Center

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Research Resources:

Course Overview

Instructor Information

Philip Higuera, Ph.D.

Office: Traphagen Hall 221
Office Hours:  Wed. 10 am - 12 pm, Thursday 1-3 pm.
E-mail:  philip.higuera[at]montana.edu
Phone Number:  994-6912

Teaching Assistant

Erich Peitzsch
Office: Traphagen Hall 114
Office Hours: Mon. 10 am - 12 pm, or by appointment
E-mail: erich.peitzsch[at]gmail.com

Course Description

Content
In Mountain Geography we will study the processes that shape the landscapes that surround us and learn how global change is affecting mountain systems. The course builds on the content of ESCI 112 (Intro. to Physical Geography) and will emphasize connections between physical and biological geography. Over the semester we will learn about the following topics:

• Global, regional, and local distributions of mountain ranges
• Physical and biological processes shaping mountain environments over a range of time scales
• Major forest types in southwestern Montana and their bio-physical controls 
• Sensitivity to and impacts of climate change in mountain regions 
• Human use and impacts in mountain regions

Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Locate and describe the features of local mountain ranges, including geologic origin, major vegetation communities, and human impacts.

2. Describe the hierarchy of processes controlling the physical and biological patterns we see in mountain landscapes, locally and globally, and how these processes are affected by global change.

3. Access and evaluate primary scientific literature.

4. Identify a research question, collect and analyze data to address the question, and summarize findings in standard scientific formats (text and presentations).
5. Evaluate the work or your peers in a constructive and respectful manner.
   

Structure

The course depends heavily on field trips and hands-on experience but also includes lectures, in-class discussion, and student presentations. As a "Research" course (link), there is significant focus on the process of generating scientific understanding, including developing testable hypothesis, designing and implementing a research plan, and communicating findings orally and in text. 

The main text book provides a general background to the key processes shaping mountain environments. You are responsible for the main points, but we will not be spending significant class time going over the text. Supplementary readings will go into greater detail on a given topic. These readings serve to both provide a greater depth of knowledge about particular subjects and provide opportunity to learn how to read primary scientific literature.   

Field Trips

Field trips will depart promptly at 1:10 pm from in front of the Motor Pool (Sixth and Grant) and will require the full class period scheduled, and possibly more time depending on driving conditions. Please do not schedule activities until after 7 pm on field trip days. Private cars will not be allowed to accompany field trips because of liability and MSU policy.

Field trips require that you are in moderate physical condition and can hike up to 4-6 miles in an afternoon. Please contact the instructor is you have any special needs regarding backcountry travel.

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Course Requirements

Prerequisites

ESCI 112 or BIOL 101, senior standing, or permission from the instructor.

The course depends upon an introductory understanding of climatology, geology (mountain building processes in particular), geomorphology, and ecology gained from ESCI 112. Topographic map reading skills are also necessary. Please refresh your memory of these subjects with your ESCI 112 material and/or ask the instructor or TA for guidance.    

Materials

Required Text
Price, L. W. (1981) Mountains and [Hu]Man[s], A Study of Process and Environment, University of California Press.
    - available at the MSU bookstore as a course pack for $24.05.

Required Map

Bozeman, Big Sky, West Yellowstone Outdoor Recreation Map. Beartooth Publishing. Available at stores throughout Bozeman, including Barrel Mountaineering, and Northern Lights Trading Co.

Supplemental Text

In addition to the text book, we will read primary scientific literature throughout the semester. These paper will be available via the course web site, linked to in the calender.

Computer Access

You will need a reliable Internet connection to keep up to date with course materials (though this class web site) and to successfully complete your research project.

Required Field Trip Materials

You are required to have proper clothing and equipment for our field trips, and you must be prepared for rain, no matter how sunny the current weather. Please bring the following equipment for every field trip:

• "Rite in the Rain" all-weather field notebook and pencil (available at MSU bookstore)
• sturdy hiking boots or shoes (we will be going off trail)
• long pants for field work
• day pack
• wool/synthetic socks
• rain jacket and rain pants
• water bottles (2 liters, filled)
• food / snacks for an afternoon
• sunglasses, sun hat, and sun screen (for the warm/dry times)
• warm, non-cotton hat, jacket, and gloves (for the cool/wet times)
• compass (optional)
• GPS (optional)
• altimeter (optional)
• camera (optional)

Assignments

All assignments should be handed in via e-mail (to both the instructor and TA), unless otherwise noted.

Weekly Readings

Weekly readings are assigned in the calendar below. It is essential that you read the material before the class meets on Tuesday, and I will assume you have some familiarity with the topics being covered in class or in the field. Selected students will be responsible for presenting journal articles, when they are assigned. 

Field Trip Reports

Each field trip is designed as an individual research project, and we will collect data individually and as a class to help us answer specific research questions. A field trip report, in the format of a scientific paper, is required from each field trip. These will be due 1-2 weeks after each trip.   

Grading rubric for field trip reports is here.

If you receive a C or lower on a field trip report, please see me during office hours.

Research Project, Paper and Presentation
In addition to the four field reports you will write over the semester, you will also develop a research project based on a subject of your choosing (but related to mountain geography). These papers will be written in the "IMRAD" format: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion. You may work individually or in teams of up to 4 students on these project. Additional details will be discussed during the first two weeks of the course, but each project must adhere to the following criteria:

1. Based on quantitative data, either collected via field work or from existing data sources.
2. Data are analyzed and summarized graphically and/or numerically, using some form of statistical description or comparison.
3. Primary scientific literature is cited in the introduction, methods, and discussion sections of your final paper, using at least 10 primary references.
4. Literature cited is presented in a consistent format, adhering  to the format of the Journal of Biogeography. 

Exams 

Format

There will be one in-class exam covering materials from our field trips, readings, and lectures. The final exam is cumulative but will focus on the second half of the course. Each exam will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, true/false, short answers, and/or essays.

Dates & Locations
Midterm Exam: 1:10 pm, October 14, Traphagen 116
Final Exam: Thursday December 18, 12:00-1:50 pm, Traphagen 204
(MARK THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR!)

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Course Policies & Grading

Course Policies

(1) In-class expectations: Please respect your fellow student's learning experience. Do not talk amongst yourselves during class (but feel free to raise you hand to ask a question), arrive on time and do not leave class early, and please turn off all electronic devices unless they are being used for note taking.

(2) Absences will not be excused unless you have contacted me 24 hours or more in advance of the class. This includes missing an exam: there are no make up exams.

(3) Assignment due dates are firm. Late assignments will be penalized by 5% per 24-hour period. For example, a perfect assignment handed in 3 days late would receive 85% of full credit. As with attendance, late assignments will be penalized unless you have made arrangements with me, at least 48-hours prior to the due date.

(4) Out of class inquiries: Coming to office hours is the best way to get questions answered, but I will make ever effort to answer questions posed over e-mail within two weekdays of receipt. In order to do this, you must: (a)  include GEOG 430 in the subject line, (b)  sign your message with your full name.

(5) Academic Dishonesty of any form is unacceptable and will be taken serious by the instructor and Montana State University. This includes plagiarism, when you copy materials for other sources without citing the source or copy someone else's work, and cheating, copying material from other students during tests or quizzes. In both cases, you will fail the assignment/exam and the information will be passed on to the Dean of Students.For more information see: http://www2.montana.edu/policy/.

(6) Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the instruction and Disabled Student Services (http://www.montana.edu/wwwres/disability) to work out any accommodations necessary to make this course a success.  

Grading

Final grades will be based on the following weights:

• Attendance and Participation - 10%
• Field Reports - 20%
• Research Paper - 25% 
• Mid-term exam - 20%
• Final Exam - 25%

Break points between number grades and percentages will be based on the following:

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Calendar - subject to change