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• Undergraduate Fall 2022
• Geography

Undergraduate Geography

2022 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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GLOBAL CLIMATE SYSTEMS

GEOGRPY 120

Introduction to global energy, moisture, and circulation systems that drive climates at the global scale. Emphasis will be on the patterns of interannual variability (climate change) and the physical processes that cause those changes. The processes examined will be 1) internal forcing mechanisms (atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and hydrosphere), 2) external forcing mechanisms (solar dynamics, orbital pattern changes, tectonic changes), and 3) human-induced forcing mechanisms (deforestation, atmospheric composition changes, etc.). As part of the lab component, students will apply the concepts learned in the course to complete a small research project that guides them through the scientific process.

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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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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.

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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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GEOGRAPHY OF EAST ASIA

GEOGRPY 364

A study of contemporary and historical interrelationships between the natural environment and economic, political and cultural activities in East Asia. Countries studied include: China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Japan, and North and South Korea.

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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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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.

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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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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 452

Sustainable development works toward a world in which we balance environmental, social, and economic goals. In this class, you'll learn the origins of sustainable development and how its principles are defined and implemented in different communities. Additionally, we'll learn how human-environment geography helps us better understand human actions, cultures, and values and their impacts on environmental, political, and economic systems.

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TRAVEL STUDY

GEOGRPY 491

Variable topics. Faculty-led field courses.

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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.