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• Geography

Undergraduate Geography

2021 Fall 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 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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 340

The study of the spatial organization of economic activities, including patterns of production, exchange and consumption. A broad introduction to locational behavior is presented and applied examples are stressed.

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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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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.

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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, 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.

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CITIES AND SUSTAINABILITY

GEOGRPY 444

A study of the historical, social and political framework of the urban and regional planning process with primary emphasis on understanding the links between sustainability and the configuration of urban space. Although American cities are emphasized, course content is placed within a broad global context. Students obtain exposure to professional planning approaches and a field trip is often required.

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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.

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ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

GEOGRPY 477

Students will learn a variety of skills needed in professional GIS careers including field techniques (unmanned aerial vehicles and differential GPS), web-based GIS (servers and interactive cartography), and GIS automation through scripting (Python and JavaScript). Practical skills are developed through both field and lab work including applied real-world projects.

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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.

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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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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.