Courses - Fall 2024
GEOG140
Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Floods, and Fires
Catastrophic Environmental Events (CCE) that are becoming more common in this time of global environmental change and it is essential that today's students be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be leaders as we, as a society, understand the upheaval that these CCEs are causing. Students will examine how CEEs shape human society and ecosystem from the interdisciplinary perspective afforded by the field of Geography. Students will use the latest geographic science concepts and techniques in exploring these events. Using satellite imagery they will gain a multi-scale perspective of the ecological and societal aspects of the events.
GEOG170
Mapping our Digital World
Introduction to technical methods used in gathering, analyzing, and mapping geospatial information for applications such as urban mobility, environmental monitoring, situational awareness, and disaster management. Topics include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cartography, map projections, satellite and airborne remote sensing, the global positioning system (GPS), and introductory statistics and probability. The course is a gateway to more advanced technical classes in geospatial science.
GEOG172
Earth observations from space enable the mapping and monitoring of our changing planet. This survey course reviews current observational capabilities and examines scientific applications in quantifying global environmental change. Drivers and outcomes of key dynamics will be illustrated and discussed, including sea and continental ice loss, deforestation, ocean warming, urbanization, agricultural expansion and intensification, and vegetation response to climate change.
GEOG201
Geography of Environmental Systems
A systematic introduction to the processes and associated forms of the atmosphere and earth's surfaces emphasizing the interaction between climatology, hydrology and geomorphology.
GEOG202
Introduction to what geographers do and how they do it. Systematic study of issues regarding social and cultural systems from a global to a local scale. Looks at the distribution of these variables and answers the question "Why here, and not there"?
GEOG211
Geography of Environmental Systems Laboratory
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in GEOL120, GEOL100, or GEOG201.
A laboratory course to accompany GEOG 201. Analysis of the components of the earth's energy balance using basic instrumentation; weather map interpretation; soil analysis; the application of map and air photo interpretation techniques to landform analysis.
This is a 2 hr, 1 credit lab which parallels GEOG 201; Required for GEOG majors; optional for non-majors.
GEOG272
Introduction to Earth Observation Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: GEOG272 or GEOG372.
Formerly: GEOG372.
Concepts and principles of Earth observation and remote sensing in relation to photographic, thermal infrared and radar imaging. Methods of obtaining quantitative information from remotely-sensed images. Interpretation of remotely-sensed images emphasizing the study of spatial and environmental relationships.
Students must pay a $40.00 laboratory materials fee.
GEOG276
Principles of Python Programming and Geocomputing
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Introduces conceptual and practical aspects of scientific computing using the Python programming language. The main focus is on developing proficiency for the basic elements of the development environment, foundational syntax including variables, logical operators, looping, conditional statements, nesting, and common programming patterns for mathematical and textual computing. In addition, essential data structures and functionality for scientific computing, such as arrays, dataframes, and data visualization will be introduced. Throughout the course, students will also become exposed to various applications in the domain of the social and environmental sciences.
Students must pay a $40.00 laboratory materials fee.
GEOG330
As the World Turns: Society and Sustainability in a Time of Great Change
Credit only granted for: GEOG330, GEOG360, or GEOG362.
Formerly: GEOG362.
Cultural geography course on society and sustainability. Culture is the basic building block that is key to sustainability of societies. Course will cover sustainability of societies on different scales, examining local, regional, and worldwide issues. Sustainability will be examined as a key element of environmental sustainability. How societies adjust to rapid world change will be examined as a positive and/or negative factor in sustainability.
GEOG371
Programming for Image Analysis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOG276, GEOG306, and GEOG272.
Introduces application programing interface (API) functions and image processing techniques for efficient processing of satellite images. The main programing language of the course is Python. The course will use a Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL) which provides a unified way of manipulating images incorporating geospatial information. For image processing, the course will use Python-based libraries such as scikit-image and OpenCV.
GEOG373
Geographic Information Systems
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Characteristics and organization of geographic data; creation and use of digital geospatial databases; metadata; spatial data models for thematic mapping and map analysis; use of geographic information system in society, government, and business. Practical training with use of advanced software and geographic databases.
Students must pay a $40.00 laboratory materials fee.
GEOG384
Internship in Geography I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: GEOG211, GEOG306, GEOG212, and GEOG201; and (ENGL393 or ENGL390).
Restriction: Must be in Geography program.
Supervised field training to provide career experience. Introduction to professional level activities, demands, opportunities. Placement at a public agency, non-profit organization, or private firm. Participation requires application to the internship advisor in preceding semester.
GEOG385
Internship in Geography II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOG211, GEOG306, GEOG212, and GEOG201; and must have completed a Junior (Professional) English course.
Restriction: Must be in Geography program.
Supervised field training to provide career experience. Introduction to professional-level activities, demands, opportunities. Placement at a public agency, nonprofit organization, or private firm. Participation requires application to the internship advisor in preceding semester.
GEOG398
Special Topics in Geography
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
GEOG418
Field and Laboratory Techniques in Environmental Science
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Lecture and laboratory learning each week. A variable credit course that introduces field and laboratory analyses in environmental science. Individual learning contracts are developed with instructor
Students must pay a $300 laboratory materials fee
Students must pay a $300 laboratory materials fee
GEOG431
Culture and Natural Resource Management
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: GEOG421 or GEOG431.
Formerly: GEOG421.
Basic issues concerning the natural history of humans from the perspective of the geographer. Basic components of selected behavioral and natural systems, their evolution and adaptation, and survival strategies.
GEOG442
Biogeography and Environmental Change
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOG301. And GEOG201 and GEOG211; or permission of BSOS-Geography department.
Jointly offered with GEOG642. Credit only granted for: GEOG642, GEOG442, GEOG447, or GEOG484.
Formerly: GEOG4 47.
Biogeographical topics of global significance, including a consideration of measurement techniques, and both descriptive and mechanistic modeling. Topics may include: scale in biogeography, biodiversity, carbon geography, climate and vegetation, interannual variability in the biosphere, land cover, global biospheric responses to climate change, NASA's Mission to Planet Earth and Earth Observation System. The class focuses on both natural and athropogenic controls, impacts of biography on climate and ecosystem services and different methods in biogeography.
GEOG471
Technologies for Computational Earth Observations
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOG371 or permission of instructor.
An introduction and exploration of cutting-edge novel remote sensing datasets and their associated science uses and applications. We present several modules focused on different technologies (multispectral, lidar, radar, thermal), and for each have both hands-on lab assignments, lectures, and applications case studies. Data fusion techniques, and common analysis and processing pitfalls are presented and discussed. Hands-on computer labs allow students to explore each dataset via online tutorials. After all datasets are presented, students download their own datasets in an area of interest to them, and work toward a unique student-driven project for presentation to the class. The sky is literally the limit in this interactive course which provides a research experience opportunity for students in a supportive atmosphere.
GEOG475
Geographic Visualization and Digital Mapping
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOG373 and GEOG306.
An overview of the basic concepts and techniques that underlie digital map making and the broader field of geographic visualization for intermediate GIS users. This includes the use of color, map symbolization, map layout, and also the contribution to geographic visualization from the fields of scientific visualization, information visualization, and cognition. Fundamentals of dynamic map design and web mapping will be introduced through the use of animated and interactive maps.
Students must pay a $40.00 laboratory materials fee.
GEOG498
Topical Investigations
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
GEOG601
The Nature and Practice of Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Restriction: Permission of BSOS-Geography department.
Credit only granted for: GEOG601 or GEOG788N.
Formerly: GEOG788N.
Introduces students to the nature and practice of science in physical and human geography, including practical methods for research productivity, professional, societal and ethical obligations of scientists, the philosophy of science, and the scientific literature. Students will prepare and critically evaluate research proposals.
GEOG608
Comprehensive Portfolio Assessment Summary
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOG642
Biogeography and Environmental Change
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of BSOS-Geography department. Jointly offered w ith GEOG442.
Credit only granted for: GEOG788C, GEOG642, or GEOG442.
Formerly: GEOG788C.
Biogeographical topics of global significance, including a consideration of measurement techniques, and both descriptive and mechanistic modeling. Topics may include: scale in biogeography, biodiversity, carbon geography, climate and vegetation, interannual variability in the biosphere, land cover, global biospheric responses to climate change, NASA's Mission to Planet Earth and Earth Observation System. The class focuses on both natural and athropogenic controls, impacts of biography on climate and ecosystem services and different methods in biogeography.
GEOG652
Digital Image Processing and Analysis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: GEOG579; or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.
Restriction: Must be in Geospatial Information Sciences (Master's) program; or must be in the Geospatial Information Sciences (Graduate Certificate) program.
Digital image processing and analysis applied to satellite and aircraft land remote sensing data. Consideration is given to preprocessing steps including calibration and geo registration. Analysis methods include digital image exploration, feature extraction thematic classification, change detection, and biophysical characterization. One or more application examples may be reviewed.
Students must pay a $40 lab fee.
GEOG653
Spatial Analysis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: GEOG579; or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.
Restriction: Must be in Geospatial Information Sciences (Master's) program; or must be in the Geospatial Information Sciences (Graduate Certificate) program.
Methods of spatial analysis including measuring aspects of geometric features and identifying spatial patterns of geospatial objects that are represented as point, line, network, areal data, and 3-D surfaces.
Students must pay a $40 lab fee.
GEOG654
GIS and Spatial Modeling
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: GEOG653.
Restriction: Must be in Geospatial Information Sciences (Master's) program; or must be in Graduate Certificate: Professional Studies-Geospatial Information Sciences.
Provide foundations and understanding on various issues related to modeling and simulation in GIS context. It will addresses the concepts, tools, and techniques of GIS modeling, and presents modeling concepts and theory as well as provides opportunities for hands-on model design, construction, and application. The focus will be on raster-based modeling. This course is also application-orientated, particularly in these fields such as terrain modeling, LULC modeling, hydrological modeling, suitability modeling, etc.
Students must pay a $40.00 lab fee.
GEOG661
Fundamentals of Geospatial Intelligence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) is the collection, analysis, visualization and dissemination of geospatial information to support decision-making. This course introduces the fundamental knowledge required to become a successful GEOINT practitioner, including the history of the GEOINT discipline, the intelligence applications of remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies, and how GEOINT products are used to support national security and humanitarian missions. Upon completion of this course you will understand the roles that technology, policy, doctrine, government, and industry play in shaping the Geospatial Intelligence discipline, and develop the technical knowledge and domain expertise to create basic GEOINT products that provide context for decision makers.
Students must pay a $40.00 laboratory materials fee.
GEOG662
Advances in GIS and Remote Sensing
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Students taking the course must be familiar with data structures, basic GIS and RS concepts, and demonstrate basic understanding of using GIS and RS software. And must be enrolled in Geographical Sciences MPS or graduate certificate program; or permission of BSOS-Geography department.
Focuses on state-of-the-art advances in geographic information science and remote sensing as they support geospatial intelligence. Focus on synergies between GIS and remote sensing in informatics, computer science, and spatial engineering, and their application to problem domains in human systems, physical systems, and cyberspace. Advances in GIS presents recent advances regarding fundamental issues of geo-spatial information science (space and time, spatial analysis, uncertainty modeling and geo-visualization), and new scientific and technological research initiatives for geo-spatial information science (such as spatial data mining, mobile data modeling, and location-based services). Advances in remote sensing will provide opportunity to understand and work with latest developments in the Remote Sensing datasets. The curriculum covers wide range of remote sensing data interpretation and their processing techniques.
Students must pay a $40.00 laboratory materials fee.
GEOG686
Mobile GIS and Geocomputing
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
Prerequisite: Permission of BSOS-Geography department; or must be enrolled in Geographical Sciences MPS or graduate certificate program.
Recommended: Students taking the course must be familiar with data structures, basic GIS concepts, and demonstrate basic understanding of object-oriented programming under GIS environment.
Credit only granted for: GEOG477, GEOG498V, GEOG788V or GEOG777.
Additional information: Tablets that run android and iOS will be loaned to registered students at no cost.
An introduction to mobile GIS, to the programming concepts underlying mobile GIS development, and to the design and implementation of a mobile GIS application. Covers how to develop, test, and publish mobile GIS native apps working across two mobile platforms: Android and iOS. Leverages the capabilities of JavaScript, Swift, Google maps, ArcGIS Server and runtime SDK to developing and publishing mobile GIS apps.
GEOG688T
Selected Topics in GIS; Technologies for Computational Earth Observations
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
GEOG788
Selected Topics in Geography
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
GEOG788F
Selected Topics in Geography; Deforestation, Land Grab, and Global Commodity Chains
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
In today's globalized world, final products and consumption are increasingly met by global supply chains that often involve large geographical distances and lead to global environmental change, such as deforestation and other land cover change, all impacting important ecosystem services. This course will explore major trends of commodity trade, existing global trade database, environmental accounting approaches and models, and social and economic drivers of land cover and land use change with regard to land displacement and deforestation.
GEOG788Z
Selected Topics in Geography; Topics in Data Visualization with Processing and Applications in R
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
GEOG789
Independent Readings
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
GEOG790
Internship in Geography
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Field experience in the student's specialty in a Federal, state, or local agency or private business. Research paper required.
GEOG797
Professional Project
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Restriction: Must be in Geospatial Information Sciences (Master's) program.
Data and materials can originate from an internship (internal or external) or from relevant work experience with current employer. Under direction of faculty advisor, students will prepare a project report containing explanation of the requirements for the work, technical account of the activities undertaken, including literature review, description of methods and approaches taken, a critical discussion of results, along with conclusions and recommendations developed from the project. Final project will consist of a full-fledged GIS application that is up and running and can be tested, providing potential employers with a portfolio demonstrating student's ability to manage and develop a GIS application in real world situations.
Students must pay a $40 lab fee.
GEOG799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOG898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
Reg
GEOG899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
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