Geography and Planning (GEOG)

Analysis of world patterns of population characteristics, economic activities, settlement features, landforms, climate as interrelated factors.

Survey of world regions with focus on both physical and human landscapes; emphasis on world patterns and issues from a regional perspective.

Prerequisites: 32 credit hours including English Composition I and II (ENGL 111, ENGL 112) or equivalent. Evaluation of cultural elements unique to various geographical regions to explain why different people utilize resources differently, and how cultural diversity affects regional conflicts.

Introduction to use and interpretation of maps. Study of basic map types, elements, symbolism, and historical and cultural context of maps. (Laboratory)

Landforms, weather and climate, soils and vegetation and natural hazards. Nature and distribution of these environmental elements and their significance to society. (Laboratory)

Prerequisite: GEOG 310 or permission. Analysis and classification of climates, with emphasis on regional distribution. Basic techniques in handling climate data.

Geographical basis for production, exchange, consumption of goods. Effect of economic patterns on culture and politics.

Regional and topical study of United States and Canada, with emphasis on environmental, economic and cultural patterns and their interrelationships.

Regional and topical analysis of cultural, economic and environmental patterns; also in comparison with other states.

Analysis of relationship of cultural and economic patterns to physical environment in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

Regional and topical analysis of cultural, economic and environmental patterns.

Environmental, cultural and economic geography of East, Southeast, South Asia and Middle East with emphasis on the contemporary.

Environmental and human bases of regional contrasts. Emphasis on tropical environmental systems and changing patterns of resource utilization.

(May be repeated for a total of five credits) Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Directed reading and research in special field of interest.

Prerequisite: GEOG 100, GEOL 101, CRJU 307, or permission of instructor. Introduction to the principles and concepts underlying geographic information systems (GIS) and their application in professional practice and academic research. (Laboratory)

Prerequisite: GEOG 405. Advanced instruction in the theory and application of geographic information systems (GIS) including hands-on experience with both raster and vector GIS. (Laboratory)

Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or GEOL 101 or GEOG 310. Advanced instruction in subsurface geophysical survey techniques in archaeology. Emphasis on magnetic gradiometry and electrical resistivity techniques, image processing and geological and archaeological interpretation.

Scientific and technical principles for decision-making in planning, with emphasis on soils, land use, and water quality issues. Data sources and methods of site evaluation.

Spatial structure of urban systems; interaction between cities; internal structure of cities. Perspectives on urban change; contemporary urban geographic problems; urban and regional planning issues.

Study and analysis of transportation systems from a geographic perspective. Emphasis on transportation problems and issues, elements of transportation planning.

Influence of physical and human geography on military operations and military history. Role played by geography in international conflicts.

Acquaint student with past and present approaches to land use control in the United States and examine the political, economic, social and legal forces that have shaped existing land-use legislation.

Introduction to the history, theories and forms of urban planning.

Introduction to the primary analytic techniques for small-area demographic and economic analysis and projection.

Application of GIS and other computer-based tools to the preparation, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive land use plans.

Origins of human settlements and planning from the perspective of urban design and related societal trends. Comparison of world regional and historical urban forms. Experience in "reading" settlements as visual landscapes.

Use of graphic/cartographic principles and techniques as a means of presenting geographical information on maps and producing maps. (Laboratory)

Fundamentals of Global Positioning System (GPS), with emphasis on geographic and planning activities. Includes hands-on exercises.

Prerequisite: GEOG 440 or permission of instructor. Principles and techniques of thematic mapping. Stresses maps as communications tools. Examines principle thematic mapping techniques and means of presenting qualitative and quantitative data. (Laboratory)

Prerequisite: GEOG 405 or permission of instructor. Applications of GIS in the urban context, including methods used for analysis of population density gradients, migration, and accessibility.

Prerequisite: GEOG 405 or permission of the instructor. Application of analytic and presentation techniques from cartography and geographic information systems to practical problems in geography and planning. (Laboratory)

Prerequisite: GEOG 405. Introduction to theory and concepts of geographic data modeling, geodatabase design, and topology. Emphasis on current practices and methodologies in geography and planning.

Prerequisite: GEOG 405. Introduction to use of scripting languages for customizing the interface and extending the functionality of desktop GIS software.

Prerequisite: GEOG 405 or SURV 105 or permission of instructor. Concepts, systems, and methods of applying aerial photography, satellite imagery, and other remote-sensing data for analyzing geographic, geological, and other earth phenomena.

Prerequisite: GEOG 447. Current research in remote sensing. Applications in study of human cultural and biophysical environment. Practice in planning, design, execution and interpretation of remote sensing studies. (Laboratory)

A study of planning concepts and techniques for developing countries, including growth and development, planning agencies, regional inequities and alternative approaches.

Principles and theory in contemporary domestic and international political geographies. Emphasis on the changing local and global patterns of electoral politics, security, and diplomacy.

Prerequisites: Completed a minimum of 12 credits in Geography and Planning. Investigation of library and archive resources. Emphasis on development of professional writing skills.

Prerequisites: Completed a minimum of 12 credits in Geography and Planning. Analysis of mapped statistical surfaces. Principles for use of map as model for statistical evidence, prediction, hypothesis testing.

Prerequisite: Permission. (May be repeated for a total of six credits.) Supervised professional experience in planning agencies or related settings. Only three credits can be used toward a degree in Geography and Planning.

(May be repeated) Selected topics of interest in geography

(May be repeated for a total of six credits) Group studies of special topics in geography.

Properties, origins and uses of major soil and water regime landscapes. Stresses relationships between soil and the hydrological cycle, urbanization, suburbanization and agriculture. Field trips required.

Prerequisites: Completed a minimum of 12 credits in Geography and Planning. Field work enabling student to become competent in collecting, organizing and analysis of data while carrying out field research projects.

Off-campus intensive study of geographic features of a region or regions through direct observations and travel using appropriate field study methods. (Repeatable up to 6 credits)

(May be repeated for a total of six credits) Prerequisite: Permission of department honors preceptor, honors student only. Exploration of research topics and issues in contemporary geography. Selection of research topic and writing of research paper in proper scholarly form under direction of faculty member.

Prerequisites: 24 credits in department or permission. Students demonstrate knowledge and skills acquired as geography majors through assessment testing and semester project, evaluate career options, and prepare resume and portfolio.