Geography (GEO) Courses

GEOGRAPHY (GEO)

1998-1999 Bulletin Information

GEO 101 Atmospheric Processes and Patterns 4 cr
Introduces students to the natural science branch of geography. Emphasizes earth-sun
relationships and atmospheric processes related to weather and climate. Fee.
GEO 102 Landscape Processes and Patterns 4 cr
Introduces students to the natural science branch of geography. Emphasizes spatial
patterns and processes related to natural landscape regions. Includes landforms, vegetation, and
soil. Fee.
GEO 114 Introduction to Human Geography 3 cr
This course introduces student to the social sciences branch of geography. Emphasis is
placed on the location, spatial arrangement, and spatial interaction of the human environment
which includes: population, culture, geopolitics, economic activity, and settlements.
GEO 115 World Regional Geography 3 cr
A survey of the major regions of the world, excluding North America, and the
interrelationship of environmental, cultural, economic and political factors that characterize each.
GEO 290 Special Topics 1-3 cr
Geographic topics not covered in current geography courses.
GEO 310 Environmental Earth Sciences 3 cr
A spatial perspective on major global environmental problems. Topics include
population pressure; loss of biodiversity; ozone depletion; global warming; water, energy and
mineral resources, food supplies, waste disposal, geologic hazards, and political/economic
forces. Prerequisites: GEO 102.
GEO 312 World Economic Geography (W) 3 cr
An inquiry into the production, exchange, & consumption of goods by people in different
areas of the world. Topics studied range from subsistence agriculture to commercial
manufacturing, with particu-lar emphasis placed upon societal diversity and the physical
environment. Prerequisite: GEO 114.
GEO 313 Geography of Anglo-America 3 cr
An analysis of the environmental, historical, cultural, and economic factors that create the
spatial patterns, development processes and distinctiveness of Canada and the United States.
Prerequisite: GEO 114 or GEO 115.
GEO 314 Geography of Europe 3 cr
An analysis of the environmental, historical, social and economic factors that create the
diversity of countries and their unique spatial characteristics on the subcontinent of Europe.
Prerequisite: GEO 114 or GEO 115.
GEO 315 The Geography of Latin America 3 cr
A systematic survey of Latin American landscapes. Attention is directed to natural
resources, human activities, and regional differentiation. Prerequisite: GEO 114 or GEO 115.
GEO 320 Alabama Geography (W) 3 cr
Spatial study of physical and human features in Alabama. Includes geomorphology,
climate, vegetation, agriculture, development, population, and environmental issues within the
state. Prerequisites: GEO 101/102/114.
GEO 321 National Parks Conservation (W) 3 cr
An analysis of the motives and processes for establishing national parks and natural
reserves, the primary conservation & preservation issues that face and the influences of ecology,
politics and culture on their planning & management. U.S. national parks are emphasized.
Prerequisite: GEO 114 or GEO 115.
GEO 330 Map Interpretation and Design 3 cr
A review of the theoretical principles of cartography and basic techniques of elaboration
of thematic maps. Prerequisites: GEO 101, GEO 102. Fee.
GEO 331 Computer Cartography 4 cr
A review of the application of computers to quantitative thematic cartography.
Prerequisite: GEO 330. Fee.
GEO 332 Introduction to Remote Sensing 4 cr
Introduction to the theory and use of remotely sensed data for analysis of earth surface
phenomena. Prerequisite: GEO 102 or permission of instructor. Fee
GEO 340 Introduction to Meteorology 3 cr
Analysis of weather phenomena and patterns on a global and local scale. Major topics
include the heat balance, stability, precipitation processes, cyclonic activity, severe weather and
forecasting techniques. Particular attention is devoted to the jet stream and its effect on surface
weather. Prerequisite: GEO 101. Fee.
GEO 341 Climatology 3 cr
Analysis of global climate as aggregate weather. Component elements, factors controlling
distribution, resulting area patterns, and climatic classification are studied. Prerequisite: GEO
340 or 353. Fee.
GEO 353 General Meteorology 3 cr
An overall view of the field of meteorology for science majors. The course uses a
quantitative approach to study the composition of the atmosphere, atmospheric processes, global
circulation, and storm development. Prerequisite: MA 125. Fee.
GEO 354 Dynamic Meteorology I 3 cr
A quantitative study of solar and terrestrial radiation and the processes that result from
the unequal heating of the earth's surface and the atmosphere. A special emphasis is placed on
adiabatic processes, thermodynamic diagrams, and atmospheric stability. Prerequisite: MA 126
or permission of department chair.
GEO 355 Dynamic Meteorology II 3 cr
The circulation of the atmosphere and the structure of storms is quantitatively analyzed
using equations of atmospheric flow. The jet stream, atmospheric waves, mid-latitude cyclones,
and the concept of vorticity are given considerable attention. Prerequisite: GEO 354.
GEO 356 Physical Meteorology 3 cr
A detailed investigation of atmospheric aerosols, the disposition of radiant energy, the
earth's radiation budget, precipitation processes, atmospheric optics and electricity. Prerequisite:
GEO 355.
GEO 357 Meteorological Instrumentation 2 cr
Design, calibration, use, and maintenance of existing and newly developed
meteorological instruments and instrumentation systems as well as remote sensing applications.
Prerequisite: GEO 353.
GEO 365 Urban Geography (W) 3 cr
Concentrates upon the evolution and function of the urban spatial system, and upon the
internal spatial structure of an urban area's residential, commercial and industrial land use.
Prerequisite: GEO 114.
GEO 370 Geography of Tourism 3 cr
The study of the components of the Tourism industry, their spatial distribution, the
environmental and cultural effects of Tourism, and the requisites and techniques for planning
tourism development.
GEO 375 Historical Geography of the United States 3 cr
A study of the historical processes of exploration, settlement, environmental modification
and land use that have created the spatial patterns and landscapes of modern United States.
Prerequisite: GEO 114 or GEO 115.
GEO 381 Cultural Geography (W) 3 cr
Study of the development and differentiation of cultural landscapes and the economic,
political, technological and cultural processes that shape them. Prerequisite: GEO 114 or 115.
GEO 410 Biogeography 3 cr
Analysis of spatial patterns of life on earth. Biogeography emphasizes the influence of the
physical environment, paleo-geography, and past and possible future climate change on biomes
and biogeographic realms. Prerequisites: GEO 101 and GEO 102 or special permission.
GEO 411 Soils 3 cr
A review of soil formation, processes and properties. (Identical to GY 411). Prerequisite:
GEO 102 or permission of the instructor.
GEO 420 Geostatistics 4 cr
Applied bivariate and multivariate statistics to problems in geology, geography, and
meteorology; perametric and non-parametric pro-cedures in correlation, regression, analysis of
variance, etc. Time series analysis, trend surface analysis, kriging and analysis of spatial (map)
date. (Identical to GY 420).
GEO 435 Research Methods in Geography 3 cr
This course serves as an introduction to geography as a research discipline. Emphasis is
placed on geographic problem solving, data collection, data analysis, and reporting. Micro
computer oriented statistical and mapping packages will be used to analyze geographic data.
Prerequisites: Junior Standing, CIS 150, ST 210. Fee.
GEO 440 Coastal Zone Management 2 cr
A review of ecological features and of management policies for coastal communities with
a description of relevant federal and state programs.
GEO 441 Coastal Climatology 2 cr
Study of the controlling factors and features of the world's climates, with particular
attention to coastal areas, and application and interpretation of climate data.
GEO 442 Applied Remote Sensing 3 cr
Analysis of remotely sensed data for detection, identification, inventory and mapping of
earth resources. (Identical to GY 442). Prerequisite: GY 332 or GEO 332 .
GEO 454 Synoptic Meteorology I 6 cr
Principles of dynamic meteorology are applied to current surface and upper air analyses
of frontal cyclones. An emphasis is placed on forecasting techniques, daily weather discussions,
and computer model forecasts. Prerequisites: GEO 356. Fee.
GEO 455 Synoptic Meteorology II 6 cr
Through the use of surface and upper air analyses, satellite and radar imagery, and the
principles of atmospheric dynamics, convective weather systems are studied and forecasted.
Special attention will be placed on predicting and monitoring severe weather events, using
computer model forecasts, and daily weather discussions. Perquisites: GEO 454. Fee.
GEO 456 Applied Climatology (W) 3 cr
Training in the application of climatology to solve real world problems. In addition to an
examination of present day climate patterns, their causes, and mechanisms, the course focuses on
the El Nino, recent and past climates, the natural and human impact on the earth's energy
balance, Greenhouse warming and the chaos theory. Prerequisites: GEO 341 and GEO 353.
GEO 461 Computer Mapping & GIS Technology 4 cr
Techniques for the preparation of Geoscience maps with the aid of desktop computer
workstations with emphasis on GIS analysis. Prerequisite: GY 111, GEO 102, CIS 150. Fee.
GEO 480 Field Work in Geography (W) 4 cr
This course trains students in the collection and interpretation of field data. Information
collected by measurements, observations, and interviews is integrated into a final written project
report dealing with a specific local environmental problem. Prerequisite: GEO 435 or special
permission. Fee.
GEO 490 Special Topics 1-3 cr
Geographic topics not covered in current geography courses.
GEO 492 Seminar 1-3 cr
Departmental seminar investigating a selected field of geography. (Topic announced prior
to registration.) May be repeated once when content varies.
GEO 494 Directed Studies 1-4 cr
Independent research in field, laboratory, or library under the direction of a member of
the geography faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.
GEO 496 Internship in Geography 1-3 cr
On-the-job learning through occupational or professional work with an approved firm or
agency. Open only to geography majors. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.
GEO 590 Special Topics 1-6 cr
An in-depth course for advanced students in geography. Topics and titles will be selected
to examine the subject matter in an area of current interest to students and in an area of particular
faculty expertise. To include specialized topics not currently listed in the Bulletin course
offerings.