Associate Professor
Physical Science Department
Bakersfield College
jmenzies@bakersfieldcollege.edu
661-395-4563
Me in the Tapajos Forest of Santarem, Brazil, 2003
"There are things known and unknown and in between is the earth."
- quote modified from Jim Morrison circa 1969
Courses Taught:
GEOG B1 Physical Elements of Geography (3 units)
A study of the basic elements of physical geography and the world as a system. Important elements include the atmosphere, weather and climate, geomorphology, and Earth’s structure. The main goal of the course is to provide students with a greater understanding and appreciation for their physical environment, with special attention given to terrestrial relationships.
Recommended: Reading Level 5 or 6.
Hours: 54 lect. Offered: F, S. CCS: Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Transferable: UC, CSU and private colleges. CAN
GEOG 2; BC GE 5; CSU GE B.1; IGETC 5.A.
GEOG B1L Physical Geography Laboratory (1 unit)
The laboratory portion of Physical Geography is designed to demonstrate how material presented in Geography B1can be applied in a working environment. The assignments are designed to help students understand and apply the concepts learned in the lecture to real world problems. Exercises include using an atlas, coordinate systems, earth-sun relationships, weather and climate analysis, and topographic map interpretation.
Prerequisite: GEOG B1 (may be taken concurrently).
Recommended: Reading Level 5 or 6. Hours: 54
lab, 18 quiz/demo. Offered: F, S. CCS: Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Transferable: UC, CSU and private colleges. BC GE
5; CSU GE B.1, B.3; IGETC 5.A.
Personal History and Information:
I was born on April 29th, 1976 in Stonewall, Manitoba, Canada, however, resided in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My extraordinary interest in science from a very young age and my enjoyment of the subject in school were the foundations for my career in geography. My parents were both teachers and they were very supportive and encouraged me to continue with my studies. After graduating from high school at Kildonan East Collegiate, I attended the University of Winnipeg for five years, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography, as well as completing numerous physics and other science courses. In the fall of 1999, I attended the University of North Dakota on a Teaching Assistantship and two years later achieved a Master of Science degree with emphasis in Physical Geography. My research focus for my thesis was analyzing patterns of deforestation in the Brazilian and Bolivian Amazon. Finally, I rounded out my education with another Teaching Assistantship at Indiana State University (ISU) graduating in 2005 with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geography. I was fortunate to secure the opportunity to travel to Santarem, Brazil, where I collected Leaf Area Index measurements for use in my dissertation research. At ISU I taught Physical Geography for three years while preparing for my PhD. After graduation I moved to Bakersfield, CA where I hold the rank of Associate Professor. As for hobbies, I am an avid guitar player and love almost all types of music. I also participate in organized sports whenever I have the opportunity. Sports I have played include hockey, soccer, baseball and golf.
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Semester Class Schedule John Menzies Bakersfield College
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Publication
Menzies, John, Ryan Jensen, Eduardo Brondizio, Emilio Moran, and Paul Mausel. (2007). "Accuracy of Neural Network and Regression Leaf Area Estimators for the Amazon Basin." GIScience and Remote Sensing, 44(1):82-92.
Some of the Places I've been:
Brazil, South America
Tapajos River Statue in Santarem
Mackinaw City and Island, Michigan
Mackinaw Bridge The Arch on Mackinaw Island
Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada
The Excalibur New York, New York
Where I grew up, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
My Front Street My Backyard
Atlantic City and the East Coast
Atlantic City Boardwalk My first time in the Atlantic
Banff National Park and Surroundings
Mt. Rundle Waterfall
Western South Dakota
Mt. Rushmore Wild Bill Hickock's Grave
My Favorite Place in the World, Falcon Lake, Manitoba, Canada
My Grandparents old Cottage
Venice Beach, California
The Boardwalk
Solvang, California
Danish Architecture Windmill
Useful Links:
Marfan Syndrome - If you have a tall thin build much like myself, you might want to click on this link. Marfan syndrome affects about 3 out of every 5000 people, many of whom don't even know it. If you visit the link and feel you may be a candidate for Marfan's please get tested. If you are found to have the disease, treatment options are available. Note: Do not rely on your doctor or health care provider to suggest you get tested. This is because many of them have not even heard of it!!! P.S. Just so nobody asks, I do not have Marfan's. However, I feel it is important for me as a tall skinny person to help spread awareness of the disease.
