Undergraduate Geography
Undergraduate Geography
2020 Fall Term
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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.
INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY
GEOGRPY 120
This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the processes that are responsible for the changes in day-to-day weather patterns. The primary focus is on the physical properties of the Earth's system that control those patterns. Topics investigated include Earth's energy and water budgets, cyclone development and evolution, severe weather, and a basic understanding of climate systems.
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 RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE UNITED STATES
GEOGRPY 232
The course takes a geographical approach to the study of ethnic and racial groups in the United States. Native American, African American, Latino/a American, and Asian American groups are studied systematically. Major topics include mobility, culture regions, the cultural landscape created by the various ethnic and racial groups, immigration, segregation, and their associated politics.
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.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
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.
GIS I: MAPPING OUR WORLD
GEOGRPY 270
Time to get "spatial." Geographic. To see the world in terms of relationships between places and things, patterns and processes. Students will learn how use geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze spatial patterns and communicate through maps. Issues, problems, and examples will be used from a variety of natural resources, social science, and business fields.
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.
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.
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.
URBAN GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRPY 344
The intraurban consideration of various land-use and population characteristics of cities, their patterns, interrelations and changes is followed by the interurban study of locations, size, spacing, types and functions of urban settlements. Field trips are normally taken.
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.
GIS II: APPLICATIONS AND DATA
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.
APPLIED GIS FOR SOCIAL AND BUSINESS RESEARCH
GEOGRPY 440
This project-based course addresses social- and business-related issues through the application of Geographic Information Systems tools. Objectives of this course are to: 1) Introduce the student to site selection techniques; 2) Assess and map geodemographics (e.g., income, race, lifestyle characteristics) for target marketing; 3) To create professional reports and presentations derived from GIS analysis.
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.
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)
TRAVEL STUDY
GEOGRPY 491
Variable topics. Faculty-led field courses.
INTERNSHIP IN GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRPY 493
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.
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.
INDEPENDENT STUDY - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
GEOGRPY 498R
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.