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Developing an understanding of the physical world around us is the primary course objective. A systems approach is used to understand how landscapes are built up (tectonics) and how they are rearranged through weathering, stream transport, and glacial movement. The processes responsible for the patterns that we see (e.g., why mountain ranges are where they are, why the Midwest is flat) are discussed. Readings, lectures, and discussions are used to do this. Additional weekly exercises allow the students to have interactive (e.g., Google Earth), hands-on experiences that reinforce the concepts learned in the course. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors only; seniors by permission of instructor if related to major course of study. Fall, Spring. Gen Ed Competency: Question Scientifically