The courses I teach include The Physical Environment lecture and lab, The Human Environment, World Regional Geography, California Geography, Meteorology & Climatology, and I co-teach Global Climate Change and Field Ecology. I love teaching and learning with my students, especially outdoors. I joke with my students that taking Geography courses is like putting on a pair of geography goggles, "Geoggles", that allow us to see, understand, and marvel at the features of our physical environment, and the processes of our dynamic Earth!
My educational journey took an unconventional path. After obtaining my G.E.D., I initially had no intention of pursuing a college degree due to my struggles in high school. However, working in a bookstore sparked my desire to learn. I enrolled in a summer class at a community college, where I excelled and gained confidence. I continued taking various classes, including Geography, which resonated deeply with me. Tutoring Physical Geography further solidified my passion for the subject. Transferring to UCLA, I majored in Physical Geography, delving into captivating fields such as geomorphology and climatology. For graduate studies at UCSB, I researched soils and the impacts of dust. After completing my PhD, I achieved my ultimate career goal of teaching Geography to community college students. I strive to inspire students and break down barriers in geoscience education, including through the use of open educational resources, and participating in initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion in geoscience.
My advice to students is to wholeheartedly pursue their genuine interests, even when faced with challenges and a lengthy path. Due to my lack of dedication during high school, I found myself confronted with the need to complete eight semesters of math in community college to fulfill the requirements for transferring as a science major. My counselor pushed me to choose a non-science major to graduate faster, but I ignored that advice. With dedication and by following my passion, I achieved my desired career despite the longer journey. I believe other individuals, particularly non-traditional students, face barriers to diversity in the sciences. To foster inclusivity, we need advocates and mentors from all backgrounds who can support and attract students from diverse walks of life.
I invite you to take a Geography course and learn more about the physical and human world around you!
Online Learning Courses
GEOG 100, GEOG 101, GEOG 101L, and GEOG 102
Tips for Success in my Online Courses:
Students enrolled in my courses should expect to spend about 6-9 hours a week on the course. Activities include reading, research, quizzes, projects, participation in online discussions and critical thinking essays. Because the course unfolds week-by-week, plan on logging into the class 2-3 times each week to participate and complete coursework. A new week of course content with assignments is released each Saturday by 9 a.m. for you to work on during the week. There are multiple deadlines some weeks, typically on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays by 11:00 p.m.
Additional Information
If you have any questions about my courses do not hesitate to contact me. Email is the best way to reach me: dquick@marin.edu.
View the College of Marin Geography Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/comgeography
