Bachelor of Arts (BA) - The University of Hong Kong

177GEOG2004.Atmospheric environment and global climate * (6 credits)(This course is also offered to second and third year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadeningpurposes.)This course is divided into three major sections. In the first the basic characteristics and features of theatmospheric environment are examined from the viewpoint of the basic physical and dynamicalprocesses which occur in the atmosphere and between the atmosphere and the underlying surface.Thereafter, in the second section, both the spatial and temporal dimensions of the resulting climate areexplored at a range of scales to provide an understanding of the link between the processes occurring inthe climate system and the diversity of climatic conditions which occur on Earth. A special section isdevoted to the climates of China. In the last section, various means of reconstructing and modelling theclimate system are explored with a view to understanding the nature of past climates and the variety ofpotential future climates that might be possible.Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.This course will be offered in the first semester.GEOG2005.Biogeography and ecosystem modifications (6 credits)(This course is also offered to second and third year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadeningpurposes.)The course introduces students to the basic concepts of biogeography by studying the structure andfunctioning of natural ecosystems and their extensive modifications by human activities. It provides acomprehensive foundation on basic ecological concepts, including structure and organization ofecosystems, energy flow and nutrient cycling, evolution of the biosphere, and ecosystem succession andchanges. Some special issues of ecosystem management of relevance to nature conservation andprotection are then expounded, including species interactions, biotic dispersal and migration, fire as anatural-cum-anthropic factor, continental drift and Pleistocene Glaciation, domestication andagricultural origin, the pervasive ecological impacts of modern agriculture and urbanization, and theapplication of island biogeography theory to habitat and species conservation. This is a course ofgeneral appeal to students with different backgrounds and dispositions.Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.This course will be offered in the first semester.GEOG2006.Earth surface processes and landforms (6 credits)(This course is also offered to second and third year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadeningpurposes.)This course is a core element in physical environmental study. The course provides a systematicdescription and analysis of earth surface landscape and the processes that create them. Since earthlandsurface is located at the interface of the Earth's lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere,this study is closely related to a wide range of disciplines of natural environments. Topics discuss thelandforms and their processes in different environments, including slope, fluvial, coastal, glacial andarid locations. The landforms created by tectonic movement and the techniques in geomorphology alsoare involved.Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.This course will be offered in the first semester.* = Course to be offered in biennial even year, i.e. in 2002-03, 2004-05 and so on.