Geography Courses

The department offers a wide range of courses in the areas of introductory, physical, human and applied geography. A link is provided to all courses in which the professors post material online.

ESCI 111-3 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY (Grossman, Odemerho, Pearson, Springer)
[INTRO] [IAI Course No. P1 905] Physical geology and geography of the solid Earth. Hydrologic system, weathering, soils, landforms, sedimentary rocks. Tectonic system, magmatism, igneous rocks, crustal deformation, metamorphism

GEOG 111-3 INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY (Acheson, Hildebrandt, Hume, Odemerho, Springer, Zhou)
[INTRO, IC] [IAI Course No. S4 900N] Examines physical and human geographic principles in order to understand the spatial distribution of both physical attributes and human activities and their interrelationships.

GEOG 201-3 WORLD REGIONS (Acheson, Hume)
[Dist.SS, IC] Survey of major world areas in terms of population, settlement, and related human occupancy patterns.

GEOG 202-3 RESOURCE USE AND MANAGEMENT (Starr)
[Dist.NSM] Fundamentals of basic physical resource utilization; application of environmental conservation and preservation principles.

GEOG 205-3 HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (Acheson, Hume)
[Dist.SS, II] Geographical principles underlying the location and distribution of people and their activities in relation to the environment.

GEOG 210-3 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (Grossman, Hu, Odemerho, Shaw, Springer, Starr)
[Dist.NSM] [IAI Course No. P1 909] Distribution and interrelation of Earth's physical elements. Selected topics include geodesy, climatology/meteorology, landforms.

GEOG 211-3 METEOROLOGY (Hildebrandt, Hu ,Starr)
[Dist.NSM] Introduction to weather controls and elements, their relationship to human activities; analysis and use of weather maps and forecasts.

GEOG 230-3 REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA (Acheson)
[Dist.SS] Examination of physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities in the United States and Canada; descriptions of particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships.

GEOG 270-1 to 2 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY LABORATORY (Hildebrandt, Starr)
[Dist.NSM] Introductory laboratory on map interpretation, data analysis, and understanding the distribution and interrelationship of Earth's physical features such as landforms, water, climate regions and biomes. Two laboratory hours per week for each credit hour. May be repeated to a maximum of 2 credit hours.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: GEOG 210, 211, or Consent of Instructor.

GEOG 300-3 GEOGRAPHY OF WORLD POPULATION (Acheson)
[Dist.SS, II] Analysis of distribution, density, and migration of people; related demographic theories dealing with environment and various socio-economic aspects.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOG 301-3 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY (Zhou)
[Dist.SS, II] Spatial patterns and distribution of economic activities, interaction processes, location theory.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOG 310-3 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
[Dist.NSM] Composition and structure of the Earth; physical and chemical processes responsible for modifying the Earth and its surface. Laboratory.
Prerequisite: ESCI 111 or equivalent.

GEOG 312-3 PETROLOGY AND STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Description, classification, origin of igneous rocks and geologic structures. Field trip required. Laboratory.
Prerequisites: 310, MATH 120 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

GEOG 314-3 CLIMATOLOGY (Hildebrandt)
[Dist.NSM] Survey of climatic controls and elements, classification systems, and distribution of resultant climatic regions. Relationships between climatic elements and landforms.
Prerequisite: GEOG 211.

GEOG 315-3 GEOMORPHOLOGY (Odemerho, Pearson)
[Dist.NSM] Processes and structures influencing the shape of the Earth's surface.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOG 316-3 INTRODUCTION TO BIOGEOGRAPHY (Starr)
[Dist.NSM] Survey of spatial and temporal distribution patterns of plants and animals. Includes environmental processes and historical factors affecting these patterns and their value to conservation.
Prerequisite: GEOG 202 or 210 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 320-3 CARTOGRAPHY
[Dist.NSM] Introduction to the making of maps, properties, design, and production; use of topographic maps.
Prerequisite: one year of high school algebra and one year of geometry.

GEOG 321-3 QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES (Hildebrandt, Zhou)
[Dist.NSM] Quantitative techniques used in solving geographic problems. The emphasis is on descriptive, inferential and bivariate statistics.
Prerequisite: Math 120 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

GEOG 322-3 AIR PHOTO INTERPRETATION (Hu, Pearson)
Methods and techniques used in interpreting aerial photographs for research in physical and social sciences.
Prerequisite: 320 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 330-3 GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE
[Dist.SS, IC] Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of European countries and particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships.

GEOG 331-3 GEOGRAPHY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES
[Dist.SS, IC] Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of particular Soviet regions stressing human and environmental relationships.

GEOG 332-3 GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA (Odemerho)
[Dist.SS, IC] Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of African countries and particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships.

GEOG 333-3 GEOGRAPHY OF ASIA (Zhou)
[Dist.SS, IC] Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of Asian countries and particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships.

GEOG 334-3 GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA
[Dist.SS, IC] Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of Latin American countries and particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships.

GEOG 400-3 URBAN GEOGRAPHY (Hume, Zhou)
[Dist.SS] Cultural and physical factors related to distribution, interrelations, and internal spatial organization of cities.
Prerequisite: Math 120 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

GEOG 401-3 GEOGRAPHY OF DEVELOPMENT
[Dist.SS, II] Analysis of development in world regions including More Developed Countries and Less Developed Countries. Emphasis on theories of development and issues associated with various levels of development.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOG 402-3 CULTURAL LANDSCAPE (Acheson)
[Dist.SS] Identification and analysis, both objective and subjective, of the earth as transformed by human action with emphasis on the contemporary situation. Field trip.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOG 405-3 GEOGRAPHY OF FOOD (Acheson)
This course examines food production and distribution, the relationship between food and culture from a geographic perspective.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOG 406-3 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
[Dist. SS, II] Fundamental principles of geopolitics, geostrategic theory, electoral geography, and their application to the United States and other major world regions.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.

GEOG 408-3 SNOW AND ICE PROCESSES (Hildebrandt)
[Dist. NSM] This course (1) focuses on the properties, processes and distribution of seasonal and perennial snow; (2) provides an overview of glaciers; (3) and studies snow and ice climatology.
Prerequisites: GEOG 314 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 410-3 SOILS (Starr)
[Dist.NSM] Formation processes, classification, distribution, use, problems associated with earth surface materials. Field trip.
Prerequisite: ESCI 111 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 411-3 HYDROLOGY (Grossman)
(Same as ENSC 411) [Dist.NSM] Hydrologic cycle, major stream systems, uses of water resources and their relationships to quality and future supplies.
Prerequisite: Math 120 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

GEOG 412-3 GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY (Grossman)
(Same as CE 412 and ENSC 412). [Dist.NSM] Study of groundwater: occurrence, physical and chemical properties, flow and flow system modeling, relation to rock structure and lithology, contamination of groundwater resources.
Prerequisites: college algebra, CHEM 113 or equivalents or consent of instructor.

GEOG 413-3 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
(Same as ENSC 426). [Dist.NSM] Study of exogenic environment as a geochemical system, natural circulation of water, sediment, carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus; assessment of human activities on these cycles.
Prerequisite: CHEM 113 or equivalents or consent of instructor.

GEOG 415-3 ANIMAL GEOGRAPHY (Starr)
Principles of biogeography as applied to animals, focusing on past and present distribution patterns considering environmental circumstances and animal capabilities. Field trips.
Prerequisite: GEOG 316 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 416-3 CONSERVATION BIOGEOGRAPHY (Starr)
(Same as ENSC 445). Analysis of biogeography principles and conservation problems. Assess changes in biosphere distributions and extinction due to human activity. Evaluate strategies to maintain biodiversity. Field trips.
Prerequisite: GEOG 316 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 418-3 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) (Hu)
[Dist.NSM] Concepts, basic theory, and principles of GIS using both raster and vector data models in a PC environment.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOG 419-3 THEMATIC CARTOGRAPHY
[Dist.NSM] This course offers an in-depth analysis of cartographic techniques, theories, and their application to the design of maps.
Prerequisite: GEOG 320 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 422-3 REMOTE SENSING AND DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING (Hu)
[Dist.NSM] Concepts of remote sensing including air-photo interpretation, digital image preprocessing, and classification of satellite-based imagery.
Prerequisite: 321 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 423-3 COMPUTER MAPPING
[Dist.NSM] Cartographic design techniques related to computer aided conversion, analysis, and presentation of data. Includes use of Arc View, symbol perception and map design.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOG 424-3 VECTOR BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) (Hu)
[Dist.NSM] Examination of vector topology, digital map transformation, manipulation, analysis, and composition.
Prerequisites: 418 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 425-3 RASTER BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) (Pearson)
[Dist.NSM] In-depth study of cell-based (raster) GIS concepts. Includes the development of cell-based GIS models for addressing environmentally-related issues.
Prerequisites: MATH 120 or 125, GEOG 418 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 426-1 to 6 FIELD STUDY (Hildebrandt, Hume, Starr, Zhou/Lavelle)
[Dist.NSM] Field investigation of physical and cultural features of the environment.
Prerequisite: advanced standing or consent of instructor. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.

GEOG 427-1 to 6 INTERNSHIP
Work experiences in public or private agencies. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Prerequisite: major with senior standing or consent of instructor.

GEOG 428-1 to 6 TRAVEL STUDY COURSE
Enrichment through travel, supervised study, and readings on areas visited. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.

GEOG 440-3 TEACHING OF GEOGRAPHY (Acheson, Hume)
Methods and techniques of teaching geography in primary and secondary classroom situations. Emphasis on teaching devices, illustrative materials, literature.
Prerequisite: junior standing.

GEOG 450-3 to 9 TOPICS IN GEOGRAPHY (Acheson, Grossman, Hildebrandt, Hu, Hume, Pearson, Starr)
Specific topics based upon faculty expertise. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours for undergraduates, 6 hours for graduate students.
Undergrad Prerequisite: major with senior standing in the geography program, or consent of instructor.

GEOG 470-2 to 4 ADVANCED PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY LABORATORY (Hildebrandt, Starr)
Application of field and laboratory methods, from study design to data collection and analysis, used to study the earth's physical features and processes. May be repeated to 4 credit hours. Graduate credit requirements include additional course work design and conduct a field survey, then analyze and report on the data collection.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

GEOG 490-1 to 3 TUTORIAL IN GEOGRAPHY (any faculty)
Individual and small group conferences with faculty to examine geographic topics. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Prerequisites: consent of adviser and instructor.

GEOG 499-3 SENIOR ASSIGNMENT (any faculty)
Research paper of an approved topic in Geography; required for Graduation. NOT FOR GRADUATE CREDIT.
Prerequisite: 321, senior standing.

500-3 SEMINAR IN CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY (Acheson)
Selected topics in human-environment interactions. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

510-3 SEMINAR IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (Starr, Odemerho)
Selected topics as related to various aspects of physical environments and patterns of human occupancy. Topics vary. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

520-3 RESEARCH METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY (Acheson, Hume, Odemerho)
Examination of geographic research. Preparation of a research proposal. Execution of a brief geographic study.

521-3 CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY AND EXPLANATIONS IN GEOGRAPHY (Shaw)
Compares positivist, humanist, and structuralist modes of explanation in geography.

522-3 TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY (Zhou)
Introduces qualitative and quantitative techniques in geographic research. Exposes students to data collection, analysis, and display methods.
Prerequisite: GEOG 321 or consent of instructor.

523-3 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION METHODS
Methods and techniques used to determine and analyze environmental effects as related to public and private entities.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

524-3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
(Same as ENVS 516 and BIOL 516) Implications and applications of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental legislation. Methodologies for environmental inventory and environmental impact statement preparation.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

525-3 SEMINAR IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) (Pearson, Zhou)
Selected topics dealing with application of GIS. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisites: GEOG 424 or 425 and consent of instructor.

526-3 SEMINAR IN CARTOGRAPHY
Selected topics in cartography. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

530-3 SEMINAR IN REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
Application of regional concepts and methods to geographical problems in selected regions. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

590-1 to 6 INDEPENDENT STUDY
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Prerequisites: consent of instructor and adviser.

597-3 PREPARATORY READING
Restricted to MS candidates choosing the comprehensive written examination which will be based on current MS geography reading list and the student's chosen specialty area.
Prerequisite: graduate standing.

599-3 to 6 THESIS
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Prerequisites: consent of thesis committee chair and adviser. Faculty committee must be formed before student registers.



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URL: http://www.siue.edu/GEOGRAPHY/Courses/AllCourses.htm
Published by: SIUE Department of Geography
Last update: October 15, 2009 by webmaster