Departments & Programs

Geography

Course Descriptions
  • GEOG-G 107 Physical Systems of the Environment (3 cr.) CASE N&M Introduction to the physical principles governing the geographical distribution and interrelationships of the earth’s physical features (atmosphere and oceans, landforms, soils, and vegetation). The course provides students with the background necessary to evaluate current environmental issues.
  • GEOG-H 107 Physical Systems of the Environment, Honors (3 cr.) CASE N&M Designed for students with unusual aptitude and motivation. Covers same core material as G107 and substitutes for G107 as a prerequisite for other courses. Credit given for only one of H107 or G107.
  • GEOG-G 109 Weather and Climate (3 cr.) CASE N&M Introduction to atmospheric processes responsible for weather. Elements of climatology and their variation in time and space. Weather forecasting, weather modification, and severe weather.
  • GEOG-G 110 Introduction to Human Geography (3 cr.) CASE S&H An introduction to the principles, concepts, and methods of analysis used in the study of human geographic systems. Examines geographic perspectives on contemporary world problems such as population growth, globalization of the economy, and human-environmental relations.
  • GEOG-G 120 World Regional Geography (3 cr.) CASE S&H Analysis of population, culture, environment, and economies of major world regions. Examination of issues of global importance, including development, demographic change, urbanization and migration, and international conflict.
  • GEOG-H 120 World Regional Geography, Honors (3 cr.) CASE S&H Designed for students with unusual aptitude and motivation. Covers same core material as G120 and substitutes for G120 as a prerequisite for other courses. Credit given for only one of H120 or G120.
  • GEOG-G 208 Human/Environment Interactions (3 cr.) CASE N&M Just as people shape physical environments through agriculture, development, and resource use, environments shape us. This course focuses on the deeply interconnected ecological, hydrological, climatic, social, cultural, and economic forces at the core of human/environment interactions, and introduces the field of environmental geography.
  • GEOG-G 220 Topics in Geography (3 cr.) Examination of a topic from a range of geographic perspectives. Topics will vary. Only 3 credit hours may be applied to the geography major. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • GEOG-G 235 Introductory Geographical Methods (3 cr.) Introduces geographical methodology in the major fields of study within geography (atmospheric sciences, environmental studies, geographic information systems, global studies, and human geography). Topics include map interpretation, paradigms of inquiry, simple statistical methods, instrumentation, introductory computer methods, fieldwork, and case studies.
  • GEOG-G 237 Cartography and Geographic Information (3 cr.) CASE N&M Use of computers in the management of geographic information, including data storage, database construction, creation and production of maps and related representation of geographic data. Computer cartography laboratory, experimentation and interactive experience using GIS and mapping software.
  • GEOG-G 250 Computer Methods in Geography (3 cr.) P: M118 or M119 or M211, or consent of instructor. Introduction to scientific computing in geography, emphasizing practical applications. Topics include programming concepts, analysis of spatial data, and graphics. Numerous exercises give practical experience with the analysis and interpretation of geographic data. Both high-level programming and software packages are utilized.
  • GEOG-G 302 Introduction to Transportation Analysis (3 cr.) CASE S&H Examination of movement of people, goods, and information over space using spatial analysis and planning techniques.
  • GEOG-G 304 Physical Meteorology and Climatology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: Any introductory science course or consent of instructor. Topics span all the scales of atmospheric processes—from climate change to weather forecasting and surface energy budgets. Students are introduced to the physical processes and properties of the atmosphere. Skills used to study and quantify atmospheric processes, such as the use of models and remote sensing, are also developed.
  • GEOG-G 305 Environmental Change—Nature and Impact (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G107 or G109 or consent of instructor. An integrated systems approach to examining the forcing, system response, and impacts of environmental change. Specific case studies will be presented in addition to methods of documenting change and identifying natural variability versus change due to anthropogenic forcing.
  • GEOG-G 306 The Geography of Current Issues (3 cr.) P: Junior standing or consent of instructor. An examination of current problems from a geographical perspective. The specific topic to be considered will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated once with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • GEOG-G 307 Biogeography: The Distribution of Life (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G107 or G109 or G185, or G208. A survey of the present and past distributions of the world's plants and animals, emphasizing ecological explanation of species distributions. Topics include evolution and distribution of major plant and animal groups, world vegetation, plant and animal domestication, introduction of plant and animal pests, destruction of natural communities, and extinction.
  • GEOG-G 314 Urban Geography (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: Junior standing or consent of instructor. Study and interpretation of urban spatial structures, policies, and problems with an emphasis on geographic perspectives. Topics include urban housing markets, racial segregation, homelessness, and urban crime.
  • GEOG-G 315 Environmental Conservation (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: Junior standing or consent of instructor. Conservation of natural resources, including soil, water, wildlife, and forests as interrelated components of the environment emphasizing an ecological approach. Current problems relating to environmental quality.
  • GEOG-G 316 Economic Geography (3 cr.) CASE S&H The course familiarizes students with the global pattern of economic endeavor, and teaches basic economic geographic theory and how location decision making occurs.
  • GEOG-G 320 Population Geography (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: Junior standing or consent of instructor. Study of population growth, compositional change and redistribution at regional, national and global scales. Topics include population pressure, fertility control, aging of societies, AIDS epidemiology, immigration, and population policies.
  • GEOG-G 323 Geography of Latin America (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC A geographic introduction to Latin America: the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America. Focus is on elements that give coherence and identity to geographic space in Latin America. Topics include the natural environment, settlement, the agrarian sphere, urbanization and industrialization, regional development issues, and geopolitical themes.
  • GEOG-G 325 Tourism Geography (3 cr.) Tourism studies is a relatively young multidisciplinary field. This course provides an introduction to this field that focuses on the ways that geography studies tourism.
  • GEOG-G 326 Geography of North America (3 cr.) CASE S&H Continental and regional variations in terrain, climate, and economic and social life of the United States and Canada, with emphasis on geographical principles, sources of data, and techniques of investigation.
  • GEOG-G 329 Energy, Resources, and the Environment (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: Students without a prior college-level science or mathematics course must seek consent of instructor. Introduction to energy supply and demand using a scientific basis for understanding interactions between energy usage, the production of electricity, and the environment. Focuses on the relationships between energy resources, climate change, and the need to provide electricity and fuel in an environmentally sustainable manner.
  • GEOG-G 332 Geographical Globalization (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: G110 or G120 or consent of instructor. The importance of the geopolitical and geo-economic/ecological nature of the global reorganization of the world’s systems. Course moves from the treatment of geographies of global change to a critical examination of the many dimensions of today’s globalizing world—economic, technological, social, political, cultural, a state of affairs that is unruly and unprecedented.
  • GEOG-G 336 Environmental Remote Sensing (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: Consent of instructor. Principles of remote sensing of the earth and its atmosphere, emphasizing satellite data in visible, infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Emphasis on practical applications and digital image analysis.
  • GEOG-G 338 Geographic Information Science (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G237 or consent of instructor. Overview of the principles and practices of geographic information systems (GIS). The course will deal with issues of spatial data models, database design, introductory and intermediate GIS operations, and case studies of real-world GIS applications. Laboratory exercises will provide significant hands-on experience. Lecture and laboratory.
  • GEOG-G 339 Weather Analysis and Forecasting (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G109 or G107 or consent of instructor. Analysis and interpretation of meteorological data with a focus on forecasting applications for the mid-latitudes. Students learn the practical skills that weather forecasters use.
  • GEOG-G 341 Ecological Restoration: Science and Politics (3 cr.) CASE S&H Provides a broad overview of the deeply interconnected science and politics of ecological restoration in the United States. Through readings and discussions, covers topics including history, philosophy, ecology, geomorphology, and political economy of restoration.
  • GEOG-G 343 Perspectives on Environmental Decisions (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: G208 or consent of instructor. Reviews social science theoretical frameworks to explain environmental behavior and decisions, and implications for effective environmental management policies and methodologies. Topics include global changes in land/climate systems; sustainable development; property regimes; vulnerability and adaptation; integrative-interdisciplinary methods for environmental management; equity and participatory decision-making, etc.
  • GEOG-G 350 Instrumentation and Field Methods in Atmospheric Science (3 cr.) CASE N&M P or C: G304 or consent of instructor. Sampling, instrumentation, measurement, analysis, and interpretation of data concerning features and processes of the atmospheric environment. Use of field and laboratory equipment within the context of research and standard projects. Practical application of climatological and meteorological principles.
  • GEOG-G 362 Dynamic Meteorology: Boundary-Layer Meteorology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G304, G107 or G109 or consent of instructor. The atmospheric-boundary layer is the interface between the free atmosphere and the surface. Basic meteorological theory for processes in the atmospheric boundary-layer that scale from the microscale to the mesoscale. Aerodynamic and energy budget concepts. Development and application of boundary-layer models and associated parameterizations. Lecture and laboratory format.
  • GEOG-G 380 Cultural Geography (3 cr.) CASE S&H Familiarizes students with the basic concepts and ideas that underpin the study of cultural geography, including the history of cultural geography, the constitution of the cultural landscape, and how landscape fractures across the lines of ethnicity, gender, and age.
  • GEOG-G 405 Hydroclimatology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G304. Hydroclimatic processes at a range of spatial scales. Topics include cloud and precipitation processes, soil water physics, runoff and evaporation. Lecture and laboratory.
  • GEOG-G 411 Sustainable Development Systems (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: G208 or consent of instructor. An examination of the notion of sustainable development and its meaning as well as the manner in which it has been implemented in the areas of resources, agriculture, water, transport, cities, and tourism. How such systems can be implemented in developing and developed countries will also be examined.
  • GEOG-G 415 Advanced Urban Geography (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: G314 or consent of instructor. An in-depth examination of modern cities, growth dynamics, and sustainability. Explores a range of contemporary socioeconomic topics in an urban setting, including housing markets, segregation, crime, telecommunication, transportation, and regional development. Basic geographic models and spatial statistics are used to explore differences in urban areas.
  • GEOG-G 417 Geography and Development (3 cr.) CASE S&H Geographic perspective on the processes of development in the Third World with emphasis on neoliberalism and globalization, commodity chains, transnational corporations, multilateral organizations, labor relations, NGOs, consumption practices, sustainability, gender, and culture. Examination of alternative theories of the development process.
  • GEOG-G 427 Russia and Its Neighbors (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC Geographic problems and prospects of the former republics of the Soviet Union with an emphasis on political geography, environmental issues, population, urbanization, energy, and the location of economic activity.
  • GEOG-G 428 Geography of Europe (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC Emphasizes two interrelated topics within western Europe: common themes across the countries of Europe, and the distinctive cultures that make up the region. The course begins with a discussion of the physical landscape of Europe then takes up the cultural and economic landscape of the region. The course ends with a discussion of the various cultural regions within Europe.
  • GEOG-G 431 Dynamic Meteorology: Synoptic to Global Scales (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G304. R: G339, MATH M211-M212, and PHYS P221. Introduction to dynamical processes at the synoptic to global scales. Principles of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics and their application to the atmosphere. Basic conservation laws and equations of motion. Topics covered also include planetary waves and blocking mechanisms, teleconnections, and the global general circulation.
  • GEOG-G 433 Advanced Synoptic Meteorology and Climatology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G339 or G304 or consent of instructor. Analysis and prediction of synoptic scale weather systems, emphasizing the mid-latitudes. Other topics include severe weather and atmospheric/oceanic teleconnections.
  • GEOG-G 434 Air Pollution Meteorology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G304 or consent of instructor. Analysis of the physical laws that govern the transport, transformation, and removal of atmospheric pollutants. Primary emphasis will be on physical and chemical processes, although biological impacts also will be considered.
  • GEOG-G 436 Advanced Remote Sensing: Digital Image Processing (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G336 or consent of instructor. Advanced remote sensing theory and digital image processing techniques with an emphasis on environmental applications. Hands-on computer exercises provide significant experience in introductory digital image processing for extraction of qualitative and quantitative information about the Earth’s terrestrial environments.
  • GEOG-G 438 Advanced Geographic Information Science (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G338 or consent of instructor. Intermediate and advanced topics in geographic information science and spatial analysis techniques using GIS software. This advanced course is for upper-division undergraduates and graduates who seek a greater understanding of this rapidly developing field and to learn how to construct, manage, and analyze their own GIS data and models.
  • GEOG-G 439 Seminar in Geographic Information Science (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G336, G338, and G436 or G438. Applications of geographic information science principles in the collection and analysis of spatial data. Integration of GIS, remote sensing, and/or GPS technologies. Review of current literature on techniques, theory, technology, and applications with an emphasis on environmental issues. Discussions, laboratory, and research project. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • GEOG-G 440 Topics in Environmental Geography (1–3 cr.) P: G305 or G315 or consent of instructor. Selected topics focus on the human dimensions of environmental change/conservation. Example focus topics: population-environment interactions, transport-environment interactions, and urban-environment interactions. May be repeated four times with a different topic for a maximum of 12 credit hours.
  • GEOG-G 442 Sustainable Energy Systems (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: Junior standing or consent of instructor. Examination of current energy use and the role of renewable energy resources in meeting future demand. Covers the physical and technological basis for geothermal, wind, solar, hydro and marine energy, in addition to the environmental, economic, and social impacts of developing and utilizing these sustainable resources.
  • GEOG-G 444 Climate Change Impacts (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G109 or G304, or permission of the instructor. Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are causing climate to change at an unprecedented rate. This course will explain how and why anthropogenic activity is causing climate to change, how this impacts society and options for adaptation and mitigation, plus the potential to reduce climate change through geoengineering.
  • GEOG-G 449 Political Ecology (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: G315, G320, G341 or G343, or consent of instructor. An introduction to political ecology, an approach which focuses on the political-economic context of natural resource conflicts with particular attention to issues of equity, justice, and power. Covers the theoretical lineage of political ecology, its development over the last twenty years, and current hot topics in the field.
  • GEOG-G 450 Undergraduate Readings and Research in Geography (1–3 cr.; max of 6 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Individual readings and research in geography. 6 cr. max.
  • GEOG-G 451 Water Resources: Semi-Arid Environments (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G107 or G109 and at least one 300-level physical/biological science course or consent of instructor. Investigates the hydro-micrometeorological and human dynamics of semi-arid ecosystems/environments.
  • GEOG-G 455 Wind Power Meteorology (3 cr.) P: G304, G362 or consent of instructor. Explains the science of wind power meteorology with a focus on practical elements, such as how to measure wind resources, estimate wind turbine loads, and optimize wind turbine siting. Lecture and lab format with project work.
  • GEOG-G 460 Internship in Geographical Analysis (1-6 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Faculty-directed study of geographical problems based on an internship experience. Student’s area of placement must be related to major field of study and may involve staff work or research. Maximum of 3 credit hours will count toward major. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Credit not given for both G400 and G460.
  • GEOG-G 461 Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: G208 or consent of instructor. Introduction to global environmental change (GEC), focusing on the human causes and consequences of biophysical transformations of land systems. Emphasis on socioeconomic, political, institutional, and environmental dimensions of land change; tropical forests, grasslands, and urbanizing areas; international environmental regimes; spatial methodologies in GEC research, and integrated approaches.
  • GEOG-G 470 Micrometeorology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G304, MATH M211-M212, or consent of instructor. Atmospheric processes at the micro and local scale. Topics include energy and mass exchange over simple nonvegetated surfaces, vegetated surfaces, nonuniform terrain, and inadvertent climate modification.
  • GEOG-G 475 Climate Change (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: At least two undergraduate physical science courses or consent of instructor. Evidence for and theories of climate change over a range of time scales. Sources of natural climate forcing are presented, historical evolution of climate change is quantified, and model tools and climate projections are presented along with analyses of climate change impacts.
  • GEOG-G 477 Topics in Atmospheric Science (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G304. Selected topics in microclimatology, dynamic meteorology, statistical methods in climatology, climatic change, radiation theory, or other areas of climatology and meteorology. May be repeated once for credit with different topic.
  • GEOG-G 478 Global Change, Food, and Farming Systems (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: G208 or consent of instructor. Introduction to food production and consumption systems, emphasizing linkages to land use and social change on food/farming system sustainability. Topics include urbanization, population growth, and economic liberalization; farming livelihoods, gender, and poverty; biotechnology; agro-ecology, global health.
  • GEOG-G 488 Applied Spatial Statistics (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: 6 credit hours of geography or consent of instructor. Extension of traditional statistical analysis to spatial data. Spatial means and spatial variances, the examination of differences in samples over space, spatial autocorrelation, nearest neighbor analysis, map comparison techniques. Emphasis is on practical applications.
  • GEOG-G 489 Atmospheric Data Analysis (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: An introductory course in statistics or consent of instructor. Introduction to methods of data analysis used in the atmospheric sciences, emphasizing applications. Topics include statistical forecasting, spatial interpolation, spectral analysis and filtering, vector data analysis, and model evaluation.
  • GEOG-G 499 Honors Research in Geography (3 cr.) P: G450, at least 18 credit hours in geography, a minimum 3.500 GPA in geography with a minimum 3.300 GPA overall, and consent of honors advisor. Training in research and scholarly writing, culminating in an honors thesis to be written under the direction of a faculty member. An oral examination of the thesis is conducted by two faculty members.