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• Undergraduate Fall 2023
• Geography

Undergraduate Geography

2023 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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WEATHER ANALYSIS

GEOGRPY 320

This course examines the fundamental properties of the atmosphere through the use of weather data and weather maps. The primary focus is on analyzing and interpreting various types of weather data, through case studies, to understand energy and mass exchanges, wind patterns, air masses, tropical and mid-latitude cyclones, and severe weather phenomena.

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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.

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GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA

GEOGRPY 365

In this course we examine the people and places of Latin America - including Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies - from a variety of perspectives using key geographical concepts. As a general education course, we borrow from economics, history, demography, political science, and environmental studies, among other disciplines, to get a well rounded understanding of how Latin America has been shaped over the last five centuries. Informed by history and geography, we pay special attention to current events and conditions in the region.

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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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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.