The department offers a wide range of courses in the areas of introductory, physical, human and applied geography. Course numbers indicate the level of the course: 100 and 200 level courses are appropriate for freshman and sophomores; 300 and 400 level courses are appropriate for juniors and seniors; some 400 level and all 500 level courses are appropriate for graduate students.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
ESCI 111-3 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY
Physical geology and geography of the solid Earth. Hydrologic system, weathering, soils, landforms, sedimentary rocks. Tectonic system, magmatism, igneous rocks, crustal deformation, metamorphism. Offered every semester. IAI No. P1905
GEOG 111-3 INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY
Examines physical and human geographic principles in order to understand the spatial distribution of both physical attributes and human activities and their interrelationships. Offered every semester. BSS, EGC, EL, IAI no. S4900N
GEOG 201-3 WORLD REGIONS
Survey of major world areas in terms of population, settlement, and related human occupancy patterns. Offered every semester. BSS, EGC, EREG
GEOG 202-3 NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Fundamentals of basic physical resource utilization; application of environmental conservation and preservation principles. Offered every semester. BLS
GEOG 205-3 HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Geographical principles underlying the location and distribution of people and their activities in relation to the environment. Offered every semester. BSS, EGC, EL, IAI no. S4900N
GEOG 210-3 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
[IAI Course No. P1 909] Distribution and interrelation of Earth's physical elements. Selected topics include geodesy, climatology/meteorology, and landforms. Offered every semester. BPS, EH, IAI No. P1909
GEOG 211-3 METEOROLOGY
Introduction to weather controls and elements, their relationship to human activities; analysis and use of weather maps and forecasts. Offered every semester. BPS, EL
GEOG 300-3 POPULATION GEOGRAPHY
Analysis of distribution, density, and migration of people. Related demographic theories dealing with environment and various socio-economic aspects. Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or consent of instructor. BSS, EGC, EH, EL
GEOG 301-3 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
Spatial patterns and distribution of economic activities, interaction processes, location theory. Offered every other year. BSS, EGC, IAI no. S4903N
GEOG 303-3 INTRODUCTION TO URBAN GEOGRAPHY
Survey of human and environmental factors related to the distribution, interrelations, and internal spatial organization of cities. Prerequisite: MATH 120 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Offered every fall. BSS
GEOG 311-3 ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS
Causes, impacts, and policies related to hazards due to atmospheric phenomena, including hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, extreme temperature and precipitation events, and climate change. Prerequisite: GEOG 211.
GEOG 314-3 CLIMATOLOGY
Survey of climatic controls and elements, classification systems, and distribution of resultant climatic regions. Relationships between climatic elements and landforms. Prerequisite: GEOG 211. Offered every spring. BPS
GEOG 315-3 GEOMORPHOLOGY
Processes and structures influencing the shape of the Earth's surface. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Offered most spring semesters. BPS
GEOG 316-3 INTRODUCTION TO BIOGEOGRAPHY
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. Offered every fall. BLS
GEOG 320-3 CARTOGRAPHY
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. Offered every semester.
GEOG 321-3 QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES
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. Offered every semester. BICS, EL
GEOG 322-3 AIR PHOTO INTERPRETATION
Methods and techniques used in interpreting aerial photographs for research in physical and social sciences. Prerequisite: GEOG 320 or consent of instructor.
GEOG 330-3 GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE
Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of European countries and particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships. Offered every other fall. BSS, EGC
GEOG 332-3 GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA
Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of African countries and particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships. Offered every other spring. BSS, EGC
GEOG 333-3 GEOGRAPHY OF ASIA
Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of Asian countries and particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships. Offered every other spring. BSS, EGC
GEOG 334-3 GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA
Physical settings and geographic patterns of human activities with area descriptions of Latin American countries and particular regions stressing human and environmental relationships. Offered every other fall. BSS, EGC
GEOG 335-3 GEOGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA
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. Offered every other spring. BSS
GEOG 499-3 SENIOR ASSIGNMENT
Research paper of an approved topic in Geography; required for Graduation. NOT FOR GRADUATE CREDIT. Prerequisite: GEOG 321, senior standing. Offered every semester.
UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE COURSES
GEOG 401-3 GEOGRAPHY OF DEVELOPMENT
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. Offered every other fall. BSS, EGC
GEOG 402-3 CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
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. Offered every other fall. BHUM
GEOG 403-3 ADVANCED URBAN GEOGRAPHY
Selected topics in spatial patterns and processes of urbanization. Topics may include: planning, transportation, sustainability, society and culture, health, housing, global cities, and economic functions. Repeatable up to 9 credit hours. Offered every spring. BSS
GEOG 404-3 MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY
This course examines medical geographic principles to understand the diversity of health around the world and the processes connecting them. Prerequisite: GEOG 205, Geography major with consent of instructor.
GEOG 405-3 GEOGRAPHY OF FOOD
This course examines food production and distribution, the relationship between food and culture from a geographic perspective. Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or consent of instructor. Offered every other spring. BHUM, EH
GEOG 406-3 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
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. Offered every other spring. BSS, EGC
GEOG 407-3 SPATIAL THINKING & BEHAVIOR
This course examines how people understand, think about, and behave in space. Prerequisite: GEOG 205 with a grade of C or better or consent of instructor. BICS
GEOG 409-3 WEATHER FORECASTING
Collection, display, and application of weather data for forecasting. Interpretation of weather maps, codes, and diagrams using basic meteorological principles to produce forecasts. Prerequisite: GEOG 211 Minimum Grade of C
GEOG 410-3 SOILS
Formation processes, classification, distribution, use, problems associated with earth surface materials. Field trip. Prerequisite: ESCI 111 or consent of instructor.
GEOG 411-3 HYDROLOGY
(Same as ENSC 411) 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. Offered every fall. BPs
GEOG 412-3 GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY
(Same as CE 412 and ENSC 412). 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. Offered every other spring. BPS
GEOG 415-3 ANIMAL BIOGEOGRAPHY
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. BLS
GEOG 416-3 CONSERVATION BIOGEOGRAPHY
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. BLS
GEOG 417-3 RIVER LANDSCAPES
This course combines scientific understanding of river and watershed processes with ecological concepts to address rivers as comprehensive system. Prerequisite: GEOG 210 or consent of instructor. BPS
GEOG 418-3 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
Concepts, basic theory, and principles of GIS using both raster and vector data models in a PC environment. Prerequisite: GEOG 320 or consent of instructor. Offered every semester.
GEOG 420-3 INTERACTIVE & ANIMATED CARTOGRAPHY
Investigate and develop alternatives such as interactive maps and map animation to traditional map representations such as static paper maps.
GEOG 421-3 DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELING
Processing of digital elevation models and the generation of 3D renderings with digital orthophotos, satellite imagery, digital raster graphics, and/or other 3D features.
GEOG 422-3 REMOTE SENSING AND DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING
Concepts of remote sensing including air-photo interpretation, digital image preprocessing, and classification of satellite-based imagery. Prerequisite: 321 or consent of instructor. Offered every fall.
GEOG 423-3 COMPUTER MAPPING
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)
Examination of vector topology, digital map transformation, manipulation, analysis, and composition. Prerequisites: GEOG 418 or consent of instructor. Offered every spring.
GEOG 425-3 RASTER BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
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. Offered every spring.
GEOG 426-1 to 6 FIELD STUDY
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 429-3 STORM CHASING & ASSESSMENT FIELD COURSE See the photo gallery
Exposes students to the unique environments and hazards associated with local thunderstorms. Students will benefit from lecture and participation in event assessment. Offered most May terms. BPS
GEOG 430-3 GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Addresses (a) the scope of and controls of climate on various scales; (b) climate throughout history; and (c) addresses both contemporary and future climate change. Prerequisites: undergraduate level GEOG 211 (minimum grade of C) or undergraduate level GEOG 314 (minimum grade of C). Offered every other spring. BPS
GEOG 431-3 WEB-BASED ONLINE MAPPING
Concepts of web-based online mapping services and map mashups; development of interactive map applications for use on the Internet using HTML, JavaScript, XML and Maps APIs. Prerequisite: GEOG 320 or consent of instructor. BICS
GEOG 432-3 PYTHON SCRIPTING IN GIS,
Use of Python as a tool to automate geoprocessing tasks in the creation of maps, tools and add-ins in ArcGIS. Prerequisite: GEOG 418 or consent of instructor.
GEOG 451-3 TOPICS IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Specific topics in human geography based upon faculty expertise. Fulfills upper level human geography requirement for geography majors. 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. BSS
GEOG 452-3 TOPICS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Specific topics in physical geography based upon faculty expertise. Fulfills upper level physical geography requirement for geography majors. 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. BPS
GEOG 453-3 TOPICS IN REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
Specific topics in regional geography based upon faculty expertise. Fulfills upper level regional geography requirement for geography majors. 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. BSS
GEOG 454-3 TOPICS IN GEOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES
Specific topics in geographic techniques based upon faculty expertise. Fulfills upper level techniques geography requirement for geography majors. 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 490-1 to 3 TUTORIAL IN GEOGRAPHY
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.
GRADUATE COURSES
GEOG 500-3 SEMINAR IN CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
Selected topics in human-environment interactions. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided no topic is repeated. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Offered every fall.
GEOG 510-3 SEMINAR IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
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. Offered every spring.
GEOG 520-3 RESEARCH METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY
Examination of geographic research. Preparation of a research proposal. Execution of a brief geographic study. Offered every spring.
GEOG 521-3 CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY AND EXPLANATIONS IN GEOGRAPHY
Compares positivist, humanist, and structuralist modes of explanation in geography. Offered every fall.
GEOG 522-3 TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY
Introduces qualitative and quantitative techniques in geographic research. Exposes students to data collection, analysis, and display methods. Prerequisite: GEOG 321 or consent of instructor. Offered every fall.
GEOG 525-3 SEMINAR IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
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.
GEOG 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.
GEOG 573-3 GIS MODELING FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
(Same as ENSC 573) Modeling of the natural environment is designed to give graduate students real-world applications of environmental modeling where they may draw on their expertise in environmental sciences, geographic information systems and science (GISS), remote sensing, and biology to conduct analyses of real-world conditions. Students will learn about different GIS models and develop a project based around a model of their choosing.
GEOG 590-1 to 6 INDEPENDENT STUDY
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and adviser.
GEOG 598-3 GRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT
Culminating experience of the non-thesis option for a M.S. degree in Geographical Studies. Requirements include a research paper and presentation based on the research paper. Prerequisites: Geography Graduate standing and completion of GEOG 520 and GEOG 521 with grades of C or better. Permission of Graduate Program Director.
GEOG 599-1 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.
