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• Undergraduate Spring 2006
• Geography

Undergraduate Geography

2006 Spring Term

Class Schedule

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

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

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

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

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

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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GEOHAZARDS

GEOGRPY 352

The course will focus on the physical processes that create environmental hazards (e.g. earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather), the primary controls on their frequency and intensity, and how human decision-making can influence the magnitude of impact that they have when they inevitably occur. Comparisons are made between impacts of hazards on developing versus developed countries.

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GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE

GEOGRPY 362

A study of the nations, regions, cultures, and traditional and emerging spatial relationships in Europe. Physical and cultural patterns and processes are considered as they relate to the distribution of population and industrial and commercial activities. The European Community and Europe's international role and linkages are investigated.

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GEOGRAPHY OF ASIA

GEOGRPY 364

A study of the interrelations between the natural environment and the economic, political and cultural activities and changes in Asia exclusive of the former Soviet Union.

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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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REMOTE SENSING OF THE ENVIRONMENT

GEOGRPY 377

An introduction to the images, sensors and techniques used to gather and process data on the Earth and other planets, including aerial photography, electro-optical scanners and radar systems. The course will focus on the fundamentals of utilizing remotely sensed data in studying both natural and human induced processes impacting the Earth's surface. Computer applications will be extensively utilized. Field trips are normally taken.

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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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GEOGRAPHY OF RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE UNITED STATES

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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FOREST GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 435

This course introduces the field of forest geography, emphasizing the quantitative description of spatial and temporal patterns of forest change at multiple scales. Both natural and human forest processes are considered as well as the interaction between humans and forested environments. Theories and methods will be used to understand forest processes, using examples from around the world.

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APPLIED GIS: APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

GEOGRPY 440

This course will provide the background necessary to apply Geographic Information Systems software to solve applied business problems. The specific educational objectives of this course are: 1) To provide the student with "hands on" problem solving skills emphasizing, site location, target marketing, sales territory development and network routing; 2) To work with the most widely used Business GIS software package, ArcView GIS and its major extensions.

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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 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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TRAVEL STUDY

GEOGRPY 491

Variable topics. Faculty-led field courses.

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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.