Undergraduate Geography
Undergraduate Geography
2010 Spring Term
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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.
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.
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.
GENDER AND GEOGRAPHY (GS)
GEOGRPY 245
Human geographies will be studied through the lens of gender along with gender relations at home and abroad. Content is organized according to a variety of spatial scales including the body, home, city, and world. Cases investigated at the global scale include gendered livelihoods and migration, nationalism and war, and environmental issues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRPY 334
An analysis of the evolution of the geographic patterns of population and human activities in major United States regions.
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.
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 SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA (GS)
GEOGRPY 361
A study of contemporary and historical interrelationships between the natural environment and the economic, political and cultural activities in South and Southeast Asia. Countries studied include: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Phillipines.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
EXCHANGE STUDY
GEOGRPY 497
Variable topics.
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.