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• Geography

Undergraduate Geography

2011 Spring Term

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER AND CLIMATE (GL)

GEOGRPY 120

This course introduces students to the processes controlling and distinguishing weather and climate. Particular emphasis is on data selection, interpretation, and analysis. The impacts of severe weather and climate change on humans is also emphasized. The labs expose students to the wide range of weather and climate information currently available on the Internet.

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PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (GL)

GEOGRPY 210

A study of selected physical aspects of our geographic environment. Emphasis is given to the origin and characteristic features of topographic, climatic, vegetative and soil regions of the earth and to their interrelationships. The ultimate objective is to provide a foundation upon which to build a better understanding of human interrelationships with the physical environment. Field trips are normally taken.

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HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (GS)

GEOGRPY 230

A systematic study of human land relationships highlighting the diversity of the elements that make up the cultural landscape in various regions.

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GEOGRAPHY OF WISCONSIN (GS)

GEOGRPY 250

A systematic treatment of physical and cultural geographic phenomena. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationships and interactions of these phenomena from place to place within the state.

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HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS (GS)

GEOGRPY 252

An introduction to environmental problems and their complexities. Attention is given to alternative solutions to such problems and the implications these alternatives have for the total environment. The course emphasizes the evaluation of the interrelationships between the environmental resource demands of people and the actual resource base of the earth.

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GEOGRAPHY OF CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (GS)

GEOGRPY 261

A regional survey of the United States and Canada. Special attention is given to the physical, cultural and economic geography of the two countries.

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INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING

GEOGRPY 270

An introduction to the quantitative and qualitative mapping techniques applicable to the physical and social sciences. Included are the skills required to create clear, concise and aesthetically pleasing maps, as well as how to derive information from them. Both graphic and cartographic software packages will be utilized to create and evaluate maps. Field trips are normally taken.

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SPATIAL ANALYSIS

GEOGRPY 290

Presentation and interpretation of data, use descriptive statistics and measures of spatial patterns, introduction to statistical inference and measures of association, with particular reference to geographic examples. Students will become proficient in using computers to achieve these skills.

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SOIL SCIENCE

GEOGRPY 300

Soil science deals with the systematic description, analysis, and understanding of soils and how they interact with and drive environmental processes and ecosystems. This course will examine the properties, formation, classification, and distribution of soil, stressing the connections between environmental controls on their formation and distribution. Field trips required.

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GEOMORPHOLOGY (LANDFORMS)

GEOGRPY 310

A study of topographic landscapes and their evolution. Two hours per week of lecture and map study. Field trips are normally taken.

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WATER RESOURCES

GEOGRPY 323

Class will investigate the pathways and processes of water transfer and storage in the many reservoirs on earth, along with the impact of human activities on water quality and fluxes. Detail is given to shallow groundwater monitoring and soil indicators of saturation for wetland delineation, anthropegenic effects on streams, and land use issues related to water quality. Field trips normally taken.

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BIOGEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 330

This course provides an introduction to biogeography, the study of distributions of organisms. This course will combine both historical and ecological perspectives in analyzing plant and animal distributions. Human impacts on biotic distributions will also be discussed in some detail.

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GLOBALIZATION AND THE CITY

GEOGRPY 346

This course will focus on understanding the processes of globalization, urban and regional development theories, emergence of the global city, and influence of globalization on urban development. This course will examine the role of cities across the world and the relationship between urban change and economic, political, and cultural globalization.

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GEOGRAPHY OF EAST ASIA (GS)

GEOGRPY 364

A study of contemporary and historical interrelationships between the natural envirnoment and economic, political and cultural activities in East Asia. Countries studied include: China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Japan, and North and South Korea.

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GEOGRAPHY OF RUSSIA AND THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT STATES

GEOGRPY 368

Spatial analyses of physical and cultural phenomena are dealt with topically as well as regionally. Current development projects are given special emphasis.

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GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

GEOGRPY 370

The basic principles and operations of geographic information systems (GIS) are presented, including the capture, storage, management, analysis and display of geographic referenced data and their attributes. Laboratory exercises provide extensive hands-on experiences with a number of GIS software packages, including both raster and vector systems. Field trips are normally taken.

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CAPSTONE IN GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 400

Capstone in Geography prepares students for future options within the various fields of Geography/Geology. Portfolio preparation and presentation is emphasized as an essential element of making the transition to careers in both the public and private sector, as well as graduate studies.

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HUMAN AND CLIMATE INTERACTIONS

GEOGRPY 420

The course objective is to distinguish between natural climate change and change induced by human activities. Topics covered include human modifications to cloud cover, global warming, and ozone problems. Another emphasis is to better understand the impacts of severe weather on human activities and the potential threats of future climate change. At least one field trip is usually taken.

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RIVERS AND FLOODS

GEOGRPY 423

Streams and rivers are nested into a hierarchy that is organized by landscape characteristics. This course addresses how watersheds and stream processes influence channel form, the linkages among geomorphology and ecology, and flood magnitude and river management. Inferences are made using spatial and temporal scales.

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URBAN LAND USE PLANNING

GEOGRPY 444

A study of the historical, social and political framework of the urban land planning process with primary emphasis on the United States. Exposure to professional planning approaches and techniques and a critical analysis of plans and planners are stressed. Field trips are normally taken.

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ADVANCED TOPICS IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 455

In-depth examination of a specific issue or theme in human geography. Topics covered will typically focus on emerging national and global issues with a particular emphasis on current research. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours (under different subtitles)

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APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE GIS

GEOGRPY 470

This course will provide the knowledge and skills necessary to utilize GIS for solving applied environmental analysis problems. Specifically, the course is designed to 1) identify and resolve environmental and natural resource problems in terms of spatial analysis, 2) explore a conceptual understanding of GIS, 3) provide students with technical instruction in current GIS software.

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APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS

GEOGRPY 480

A survey of new and traditional methods used in geographic studies; and the application of a variety of these methods in the collection, classification and analysis of data for assigned problems, culminating in individual research reports. Field trips are normally taken. This course fulfills department's writing competency requirement.

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INTERNSHIP IN GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 485

Students will be placed in an outside private or governmental agency where they will utilize geographic techniques in approaching practical problems relevant to the agency's mission. An on-campus seminar with fellow interns and the supervisory instructor is required. Prereq: Students with a major or minor program emphasis in geography must have completed a minimum of 14 credits in geography and have the consent of the intern committee. Students of cognate majors must have a minimum of 9 selected credits in geography and consent of the intern committee. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits in major and 12 credits in degree.

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INDEPENDENT STUDY IN GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 498

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable one time for a maximum of 6 credits in major/degree.