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Click on the links below for a list of courses in that subject area. You may then click “View Classes” to see scheduled classes for individual courses.

1000. Introduction to Geography

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Principles, concepts and methods of modern geography are developed both in general form and specific case studies. Examples pertaining to both the human and physical environment will be discusssed. CA 2.

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1010. New Digital Worlds of Geographic Information Science

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

An overview of geospatial data and emerging technologies that are common in our everyday lives and how they are shaping society. Topics include the use of geospatial technologies like GPS, Google Earth, Satellite Imagery, and GIS, and how these technologies address environmental, societal, and political issues. Discussion of career opportunities in GIScience. Formerly offered as GEOG 2410. CA 3.

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1070. Natural Disasters and Environmental Change

Also offered as: ERTH 1070

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Not open for credit to students who have passed ERTH 1010, 1050, 1051, 1055.

Grading Basis: Graded

Climate change, global warming, natural hazards, earth surface processes, and the impact these have on human populations now and in the past. Students who complete both ERTH 1070 and ERTH 1052 may request that ERTH 1070 be converted to a CA 3 Laboratory course. CA 3. Formerly offered as GSCI 1070.

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1093. International Study

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: Consent of Department Head or advisor may be required prior to the student's departure.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics are taken in an international study program. Consent of Department Head or advisor may be required prior to the student's departure.

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1200. Global Urbanization

Also offered as: URBN 1200

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

A broad discussion of the role and structure of cities around the world from the first cities to contemporary times. Special emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms by which cities and ideas about them have been diffused from one place to another and on the changing forces that have shaped cities over time and across space. CA 1. CA 4-INT.

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1300E. Climate, Weather, and the Environment

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Interactions between weather and climate and the human and natural environment. Emphasis on understanding the linkages between natural processes and societal/environmental issues. CA 3.

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1302. GIS Modeling of Environmental Change

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

An introduction to environmental processes and patterns, especially assessing change in environmental systems using spatial analysis techniques. Students will map field sites using Global Positioning System technology and aerial photographs, collect field data on various environmental systems, and build and test a Geographical Information System-based environmental model. CA 3-LAB.

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1700. World Regional Geography

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Study of geographic relationships among natural and cultural environments that help to distinguish one part of the world from another. Analysis of selected countries as well as larger regions, with specific reference to the non-western world. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

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2000. Globalization

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Globalization as a complex-multidimensional process. Linkages and interconnectedness between spatial processes and social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental change around the world today. Theory and impacts of economic, social, political, and cultural globalization through case studies at the local, regional, national, and international scales. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

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2100. Economic Geography

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Examination of the relationship among economic, cultural, and geographic processes which affect the patterns, structure, and growth or decline of economic activities. The global extent of the agricultural, manufacturing, and service sectors is presented with particular emphasis on the interdependency of non-western and western economies. CA 2.

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2200. Introduction to Human Geography

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Geographic perspectives on the relationships between human behavior/activities, and the physical, economic, and cultural environments. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

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2300E. Introduction to Physical Geography

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: May not be taken out of sequence after passing GEOG 4300.

Grading Basis: Graded

The physical elements and processes of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere in relation to one another and to the distribution of the world's environments. Emphasis on the basic concepts and theories of physical geography and relationships between humans and the physical environment they interact with every day. CA 3.

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2310E. Creating and Sustaining National Parks

Also offered as: ERTH 2310E

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Geologic processes that create the Earth’s iconic landscapes through the study of National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores. Plate tectonics, climate and biotic change, natural hazards, Earth materials and resources, environmental conservation, and the interactions between human society and the natural world. Formerly offered as GSCI 2310E. TOI-4.

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2320E. Climate Change: Current Geographic Issues

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

The science, impacts, and politics of climate change from a geographic perspective. Examination of physical mechanisms, extreme weather events, impacts on water, food and energy systems, impacts on polar regions, energy strategies and solutions, policy and negotiations, and mitigation and adaptation strategies. CA 2.

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2350E. Geography of Energy for Sustainability

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to energy solutions for global sustainability. Topics may include the geographic context of global and local energy use, energy transition, renewable energy, solar, offshore wind, and energy justice. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

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2400E. Introduction to Sustainable Cities

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Pathways to make cities more sustainable from social, economic, and environmental perspectives. Topics include sustainable transportation, renewable energy, recycling of waste, and green infrastructure in contemporary metropolitan areas in developed and developing nations. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

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2500. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Also offered as: CE 2500

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Fundamental principles of geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include history of the field, components of a GIS, the nature and characteristics of spatial data, methods of data capture and sources of data, database models, review of typical GIS operations and applications. Laboratory exercises provide experience with common computer-based systems.

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2505. Applications of Geographic Information Systems

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2500.

Grading Basis: Graded

Applications of geographic information systems. Particular attention to land use planning and resource management.

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2996. Research

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: Instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Primary research under faculty supervision.

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3000. Race, Sex, Space, and Place

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Focuses on cities, sexualities, and race relations through a study of racial segregation in American cities; emergence of gay neighborhoods; globalization; migration; and human rights.

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3200. Urban Geography

Also offered as: URBN 3200

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Analysis of the growth, distribution, and functional patterns within and among Western cities. Application of urban geographical concepts to city planning problems.

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3200W. Urban Geography

Also offered as: URBN 3200W

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011.

Grading Basis: Graded

Analysis of the growth, distribution, and functional patterns within and among Western cities. Application of urban geographical concepts to city planning problems.

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3240. Health Geography: Connecting People, Place, and Health

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

An exploration and understanding of the connection and interplay of physical and social geographies of places and their impact on physical and mental health. What we eat, the air we breathe, where we live, where we work, people we interact with, and the health services we have access to all play a part in our health.

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3310. Fluvial Geomorphology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2300E or ERTH 1050 or both ERTH 1051 and 1052; open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

Physical forms and processes associated with rivers. Factors controlling open-channel flow, sediment transport, channel morphology, adjustments of rivers to environmental change, and human impacts.

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3320W. Environmental Evaluation and Assessment

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011; open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: GEOG 2300 or 3410.

Grading Basis: Graded

Concepts and methods of environmental analysis in contemporary geography. Emphasis on the ecological impact of human activities and on the evaluation and assessment of existing and future environments.

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3340. Environmental Planning and Management

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: GEOG 3410.

Grading Basis: Graded

The basic elements of the conflict between human environments and natural systems are considered, along with the methods of analysis and resolution of problems caused by that conflict. Emphasis on public policy related to environmental issues.

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3350E. Global Change, Local Action: A Geography of Environmentalism

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

A systems thinking approach exploring global-local linkages of environmental politics and human-environmental interactions across scales using case studies and future modeling simulations. Emphasis will be placed on stakeholders and community-based initiatives to achieve environmental justice and sustainability.

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3400. Climate and Weather

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: GEOG 1300 or 2300E.

Grading Basis: Graded

Analysis of atmospheric processes giving rise to weather systems and climatic patterns. The dynamic integration of atmospheric systems is emphasized.

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3410E. Human Modifications of Natural Environments

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

A geographical and historical interpretation of the changing relationships between culture and environment. Emphasis on the modifications of the natural environment by preagricultural, agricultural, and urban societies.

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3420. Field Methods in Geography

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: GEOG 2300 and 2500.

Grading Basis: Graded

Overview of field methods for collecting data relevant to physical, human, and technical areas of Geography. Methods include identification of existing data to support field studies, assessment of field sources for commonly used datasets, surveys, geospatial technologies, and integration of these data for further analysis.

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3500Q. Geographic Data Analysis

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: 1000 level STAT course.

Grading Basis: Graded

An introduction to the use of quantitative methods in conducting research, with particular emphasis on the processing and analysis of geographic data.

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3505. Remote Sensing of Marine Geography

Also offered as: MARN 3505

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: GEOG 2300 or MARN 1002.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to remote sensing applications in oceans and seas. Applications include image analysis of sea surface temperature, winds, altimetry, sea ice, chlorophyll, primary productivity, and bathymetry.

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3510. Cartographic Techniques

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended Preparation: GEOG 2500 and 2505.

Grading Basis: Graded

A laboratory-oriented introduction to computer-based map design and compilation. Concepts of scale, symbolization, map balance, and layout are emphasized for both general and thematic mapping.

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3512. Introduction to Spatial Data Science

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2500 and GEOG 3500Q, or instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

An introduction to the fundamentals of spatial data science. Application of a high-level programming language (R) for spatial data analysis, visualization, and modeling.

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3530. Introduction to GeoComputing

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2500. Recommended preparation: GEOG 2505.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to GIS programming and scripting to automate GIS and spatial analyses. Students will develop geospatial models using geoprocessing tools within ArcGIS, gain fundamental programming skills in the Python programming language, and employ Python scripting to solve geospatial problems.

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3600. Global Dynamics of the Shipping Industry

Also offered as: MAST 3600

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to the global shipping industry and the essential role it plays in the conduct of world trade and the growth of the global economy.

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4000W. Capstone Seminar in Geography

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011; open to junior or higher Geography or Geographic Information Science majors, others by instructor consent. Prerequisite or corequisite: One Geography course at the 3000 level or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

Techniques for, and practice in, research, writing, citation, and data presentation in geography.

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4001W. Writing in Geography

1.00 credits

Prerequisites: One Geography course at the 2000 level or higher; ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011; open to junior or higher Geography and GIS majors. Corequisite: One Geography course at the 3000 level or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

Techniques for, and practice in, research, writing, citation, and data presentation in geography.

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4090. Internship in Geography: Field Study

1.00 - 3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 15 credits.

Prerequisites: Instructor consent; open to sophomores or higher; must be taken with at least one credit of GEOG 4091 if more than one internship credit is requested in a semester.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

A fieldwork internship program under the direction and supervision of the geography staff. Students will be placed in agencies or industries where their academic training will be applied. One eight-hour work day per week (or its equivalent) for the host agency during the course of the semester will be necessary for three academic credits. Hours by arrangement with hosting agency, not to exceed 16 hours per week. Only six credits of internship (between GEOG 4090 and 4091) may count towards the GEOG or GIS major. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

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4091. Internship in Geography: Seminar

1.00 - 3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Must be taken with GEOG 4090; open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

Description, analysis, and evaluation of the fieldwork portion (GEOG 4090) of the internship. Written reports are required.

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4093. International Study

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: Open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics are taken in an international study program. Consent of Department Head or advisor may be required prior to the student's departure.

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4095. Special Topics

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: Open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

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4096. Senior Thesis

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: One advanced seminar in geography and/or three units of independent study in geography. Open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Honors Credit

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4096W. Senior Thesis

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011; one 3000-level or above course in GEOG and/or 3 credits of independent study in geography; open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

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4098. Variable Topics

3.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: Open only to juniors or higher. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary by section.

Grading Basis: Graded

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4099. Independent Study

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: Open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

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4110W. Regional Development and Policy

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2100 or instructor consent; ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011; open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

A study of theory and practice in regional development and planning. Emphasis on evaluation of regional problems and public policies designed to resolve them, with a primary focus on the United States.

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4130. Geographical Analysis of Transportation

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: GEOG 2100.

Grading Basis: Graded

Investigation of the role of transportation in global trade, spatial organization, economic development, and the natural and built environment. Application of GIS to the study of transport systems and modeling.

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4150. Applied Data Analysis in Earth Science

Also offered as: ERTH 4150

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: STAT 1000Q or 1100Q, GEOG 3500Q; open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

Multivariate spatial analysis methods and statistical inference in earth science, emphasizing how to translate conceptual understanding into computer code. Formerly offered as GSCI 4150.

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4200W. Geographical Analysis of Urban Social Issues

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011; open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: GEOG 3200.

Grading Basis: Graded

Analysis of socioeconomic patterns and issues within urban areas, with emphasis on applied geographical research. Policy implications are stressed.

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4210. Urban and Regional Planning

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: GEOG 2100 or instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Urban and regional planning, with emphasis on duties of local planners, especially land use planning, and the political context for planners' work. Legal and political issues in communities and organizations.

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4230. GIS and Remote Sensing for Geoscience Applications

Also offered as: ERTH 4230

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2300E; or ERTH 1050 or both ERTH 1052 and one of ERTH 1010 or 1051 or 1055 or 1070 or GEOG 1070.

Grading Basis: Graded

Application of Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, and image interpretation to problems in geoscience. Data acquisition, processing and analysis of Digital Elevation Models and satellite imagery. Geologic materials, processes, landforms and landscapes. Formerly offered as GSCI 4230.

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4240. Disaster Risk, Vulnerability, and Resilience

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: Introductory course on natural hazards and disasters.

Grading Basis: Graded

Overview of geographical perspectives on disaster risk, vulnerability, and resilience using an integrated environmental, social, and infrastructural approach. The theory, methods, metrics, and tools necessary to measure and understand risk, vulnerability, and the resilience of societies worldwide.

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4300. Classic Papers in Climate Science

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: GEOG 2300E or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

An examination of the defining primary literature in the evolution of climate science to the present state of knowledge. Topics may include the Greenhouse Theory of Climate, El Niño, Climate Prediction, and regional processes of interest (e.g., monsoons, storm tracks, desert dynamics).

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4515. Web GIS

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2500, 2505 and consent of instructor.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to Internet GIS. The basics of system architecture, geospatial web services, mashups, key elements of mobile GIS solutions, the functionality of geoportals and web technologies, web mapping interoperability using universal data standards such as OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) web services, and the current state of e-business and e-government web mapping interests.

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4516. Fundamentals of Spatial Database Systems

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2500, or instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

The theories and principles behind the Spatial Database Systems. Students will learn how to design and implement spatial databases.

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4518. Mobile GIS

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2500 or instructor consent. Recommended preparation: GEOG 4515.

Grading Basis: Graded

This course covers how to develop, test, and publish mobile GIS web and native apps across multiple mobile platforms (Android, iOS, etc.).

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4519. Spatial Big Data Analytics

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: GEOG 2500 or instructor consent. Recommended Preparation: GEOG 4515.

Grading Basis: Graded

Covers the collection, analysis, and visualization of spatial big data to support better decision-making in geographic contexts.

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4710. Geography of Latin America

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to juniors or higher.

Grading Basis: Graded

An integrative study of the physical, historical, social, political and economic geography of Latin America. Particular emphasis on patterns, processes and problems of spatial economic change in the region.

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