Undergraduate Geography
Undergraduate Geography
2007 Spring Term
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRPY 334
An analysis of the evolution of the geographic patterns of population and human activities in major United States regions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CULTURAL ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
GEOGRPY 452
This course will discuss the history of the subdiscipline of cultural ecology within geography and teach about indigenous and traditional societies' knowledge systems from a variety of world cultures. It will use ancient and modern examples of indigenous methods of natural resource management and show how these are being applied internationally to present day environmental problems and to sustainable development approaches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.