Geography (GEOG)
Areas of Concentration: Human geography, physical geography, GIS, cartography, space and planetary sciences.
Prerequisites to Degree Program: Applicants must be admitted to the Graduate School and meet the following requirements: 1) satisfactory undergraduate preparation in geography, 2) three letters from persons competent to judge applicant’s potential for graduate studies, and 3) a completed departmental application. Students who do not meet these requirements may be admitted conditionally. Students with course deficiencies may enroll concurrently in graduate courses.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree: A student may choose one of three options to satisfy the requirements for a Master of Arts degree in Geography:
Geography M.A. with Thesis: A minimum of 24 semester hours of course work including core courses specified by the department, six semester hours of thesis, and an oral examination conducted by the candidate’s faculty committee.
Geography M.A. with Internship: A minimum of 30 semester hours of course work including core courses specified by the department, six hours of internship, evidence of research ability, and an oral examination conducted by the candidate’s faculty committee.
Geography M.A. Non-Thesis: Thirty-six semester hours including core courses specified by the department and an oral examination conducted by the candidate’s faculty committee.
Each student is required to complete GEOG 5093 History of Geography and GEOG 5333 Research Methods and Materials in Geography.
A list of courses that meet the general distribution requirement is available from the departmental chair.
(GEOG) GEOGRAPHY
GEOG4013
GEOG4033 Geography of the Middle East (Irregular) Physical and cultural landscapes, natural and cultural resources, art and architecture, landuse, political history, OPEC, and current problems of North Africa and the Middle East region west of Afghanistan are discussed. Class participation, discussions, slides and films, and student presentations will round out the class. Prerequisite: junior standing.
GEOG4063 Urban Geography (Sp) Areal patterns of modern urban regions and the focus shaping these patterns. Emphasis is placed on American urban areas and their evolution and functional areas. Field work. Prerequisite: junior standing.
GEOG4173 The
GEOG4243 Political Geography (Odd years, Fa) Contemporary world political problems in their geographic context. Development of the principles of political geography with emphasis upon the problems of
GEOG430V Internship in Physical Geography (Sp, Su, Fa) (3-6) Supervised experience in municipal, county, state or private natural resource management agency, or any other such organization approved by instructor.
GEOG4353 Elements of Weather (Fa) Examination of the atmospheric processes that result in multifarious weather systems. Offered as physical science. Prerequisite: junior standing.
GEOG4363 Climatology (Sp) Fundamentals of topical climatology followed by a study of regional climatology. Offered as physical science. Prerequisite: GEOG 1003 and/or GEOG 4353.
GEOG4384 Principles of Landscape Evolution (Fa) Examines the role of waves, rivers, wind, and tectonics in shaping and modifying the surface of the earth. Considers the way in which an understanding of landscape processes is essential to the effective solution of environmental problems. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week.
GEOG440V Internship in GIS & Cartography (Sp, Su, Fa) (3-6) Supervised experience in GIS and/or cartographic applications with municipal, county, state, or private enterprises.
GEOG4523 Computer Mapping (Sp) This course addresses advanced cartographic concepts (i.e. visual hierarchy, aesthetics, image cognition) and production techniques as they relate to computer-assisted mapping. Students produce a variety of maps using AutoCad and FreeHand software to build a map portfolio. Field trips may be required. Prerequisite: GEOG 3023.
GEOG4543 Geographic Information Science (Fa, SP) Computer assisted analysis and display of geographic resource data. Course develops the theory behind spatial data analysis techniques, and reinforces the theory with exercises that demonstrate its practical applications. (Same as ANTH 4543)
GEOG4553 Introduction to Raster GIS (Fa) Theory, data structure, algorithms, and techniques behind raster-based geographical information systems. Through laboratory exercises and lectures multidisciplinary applications are examined in database creation, remotely sensed data handling, elevation models, and resource models using boolean, map algrebra, and other methods. Prerequisite: GEOG 4543 or ANTH 4543. (Same as ANTH 4553)
GEOG4563 Vector GIS (Sp, Su, Fa) Introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) applications in marketing, transportation, real estate, demographics, urban and regional planning, and related areas. Lectures focus on development of principles, paralleled by workstation-based laboratory exercises using Arc-node based software and relational data bases. Prerequisite: GEOG 3023 or GEOG 4543. (Same as ANTH 4563)
GEOG4573 Introduction to GRASS Applications in GIS (Irregular) An introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) problem solving using the Geographic Resource Analysis Support System (GRASS) software. (Same as ANTH 4573)
GEOG4593 Introduction to Global Positioning Systems (Sp, Su, Fa) Introduction to navigation, georeferencing, and digital data collection using GPS receivers, data loggers, and laser technology for natural science and resource management. Components of NavStar Global Positioning system are used in integration of digital information into various GIS platforms with emphasis on practical applications. (Same as ANTH 4593)
GEOG4653 Advanced Raster GIS (Odd years, Sp) Advanced raster topics are examined beginning with a theoretical and methodological review of Tomlin’s cartographic modeling principles. Topics vary and include Fourier methods, image processing, kriging, spatial statistics, principal components, fuzzy and regression modeling, and multi-criteria decision models. Several raster GIS programs are examined with links to statistical analysis software. Prerequisite: GEOG 4553 or ANTH 4553.
GEOG4723 Australia and the Pacific Islands (Irregular) Natural setting, resources, and human use of these areas and the significance of their world position. Prerequisite: junior standing.
GEOG4753 Geography of the United States and Canada (Irregular) The geographic regions of Anglo-America. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Same as GEOG 4753I)
GEOG4783 Geography of Europe (Irregular) Geographic regions of the area with emphasis on their present development. Prerequisite: junior standing.
GEOG4793 Geographic Concepts for Global Studies (Su) Application of geographic concepts and perspectives for analyzing global relationships. Developing and developed nations as well as geographic themes of current importance will be examined. Prerequisite: junior standing.
GEOG4863 Quantitave Techniques in Geosciences (Sp, Odd Years) An introduction to the application of standard quantitative and spatial statistical techniques to geoscientific analysis. Students will use both micro and large system computers in the course. Prerequisite: (STAT 4003 and STAT 4001L) or equivalent. (Same as ANTH 4863)
GEOG5003 Seminar in Geography (Irregular) Selected topics, the nature of which varies with the need. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
GEOG5011 Colloquium (Sp) Weekly meetings of faculty, graduates, advanced students and guests to discuss research and trends in the field of geography.
GEOG5053 Quaternary Environments (Fa) An interdisciplinary study of the Quaternary Period, including dating methods, deposits, soils, climates, tectonics, and human adaptation. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Prerequisite: graduate standing. (Same as ANTH 5053,GEOL 5053)
GEOG5093 History of Geography (Even years, Sp) Chronological development of the science; leaders in the field of geography; and the evolution of the major concepts of geography. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
GEOG510V Special Problems in Physical Geography (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
GEOG5113 Global Change (Fa) Examines central issues of global change including natural and human induced climate change, air pollution, deforestation, desertification, wetland loss urbanization, and the biodiversity crisis. The U.S. Global Change Research Program is also examined.
GEOG520V Special Problems in Human Geography (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
GEOG530V Special Problems in Regional Geography (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
GEOG5313 Planetary Atmospheres (Irregular) Origins of planetary atmospheres, structures of atmospheres, climate evolution, dynamics of atmospheres, levels in the atmosphere, the upper atmosphere, escape of atmospheres, comparative planetology of atmospheres.
GEOG5333 Research Methods and Materials in Geography (Odd years, Fa) Geographical research and the preparation of research papers. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
GEOG600V Master’s Thesis (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.