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• Geography

Undergraduate Geography

2013 Spring Term

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 100

Introduction to Geography introduces students to the specialties within geography, outlines the academic tracks within the major and associated requirements, and explores public and private career opportunities in the field of geography. Required of all majors at earliest opportunity.

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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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POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 332

A geographical study of international conflicts and relations, geopolitical strategies and processes, and the variation of political phenomena from place to place in relation to changing economic and cultural environments in the national as well as global contexts.

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GEOGRAPHY OF MIDDLE AMERICA

GEOGRPY 365

A study of the activities of the peoples of Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, their problems in relation to their natural environment, and their problems as a transitional area between two large continents.

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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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GEOGRAPHY OF RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE UNITED STATES (DV)

GEOGRPY 430

The course will take a geographical approach to the study of ethnic groups in the United States. Native American, African American, Hispanic American, and Asian American groups will be studied systematically. Major topics will include mobility, culture regions, and the cultural landscape created by the various ethnic groups.

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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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APPLIED GIS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 460

The course focuses on the use of GIS to better understand the physical processes shaping the earth's surface and characteristics of the atmosphere. Because physical geography covers such a broad range of topics, it will be necessary to review the physical processes associated with each (e.g. landform formation, biogeography, patterns of severe weather, etc.) before applying GIS. Thus, the course combines traditional lecture style format with weekly meetings in departmental computer labs equipped with the latest GIS software. Grading is heavily based on completion of labs on time and quality of GIS outputs.

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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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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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FIELD COURSE

GEOGRPY 492

An introduction to field methods and techniques and their application in the study of a part of the United States or a foreign area. For information about a particular offering, write to the Department of Geography and Geology, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Repeatable.

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SPECIAL STUDIES

GEOGRPY 496

Variable topics. Group activity. Not offered regularly in the curriculum but offered on topics selected on the basis of timeliness, need, and interest, and generally in the format of regularly scheduled Catalog offerings. Repeatable one time for a maximum of 6 credits in major/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.

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GEOGRAPHY THESIS

GEOGRPY 499

A substantial research project written as a thesis. Two credits are taken in the first semester and three in the second semester. A proposal must be submitted at the midpoint of the first term and an oral defense takes place at the end of the second term. Available only for senior students.