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Welcome to Environmental Geography!
GEO-GRAPHY, traced back to the Greek, means writing about, or describing, the earth. Geographers base their study of the earth on several interrelated concepts: Patterns of human activity and physical processes on Earth's surface, as we would see on a map; Regions, areas of the earth with some common character; and Human-Environment interactions. Geographers study a wide array of issues ranging from earthquake hazards to homelessness to forest health to parking shortages, etc. Most geographers work part of their time in the field and part of their time in the office or laboratory. Our fundamental tool, the map, has been redefined in recent years with the introduction of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing, all of which have made geography more of a computer-based, data-handling profession. However, the field and the social/physical environment remain the heart of the discipline.
Get information about our Major and Minor in Environmental Geography.
We also offer a selection of courses for the non-science major which can satisfy core requirements for a laboratory or non-lab science:
| GEOG 1101 Introduction to Human Geography. A survey of global patterns of resources, population, culture, and economic systems. Emphasis is placed upon the factors contributing to these patterns and the distinctions between the technologically advanced and less advanced regions of the world. | GEOG 1102 World Regional Geography. Examination of the interaction among the developed and developing regions of the world. Particular emphasis is placed on the interrelationships of historical, cultural, economic and political elements in critical areas of the world. |
| GEOG 1103 Geographic Perspectives on Multiculturalism in the U.S. Geographic factors underlying multiculturalism and ethnic relationships in the U.S. Three interrelated themes are emphasized: the spatial development and organization of culture; population growth, migration, and urbanization; and the spatial dimensions of political, economic, and social processes. | GEOG 1110 Our Hazardous Environment. A detailed examination of physical environmental hazards that influence human health and habitation. Lectures focus on the causes, processes, and results of naturally occurring and human-induced geologic, hydrologic, and atmospheric events, such as earthquakes, mud slides, floods, hurricanes, soil erosion, and nuclear and toxic waste. Some mathematics is used. |
| GEOG 1112K Introduction to Weather and Climate. Weather components, processes, and their measurement. Climatic elements and their control factors. Geographic classification of climatic and vegetation types are also discussed. | GEOG 1113K Introduction to Land Forms. Introductory analysis and classification of major types of land surfaced, stressing geographic characteristics. Study and interpretation of relationships between landforms and other phenomena through maps, air photos, and field observations. World coverage with emphasis on North America. |
| GEOG 2010 Tools of Environmental Geography. An introduction to research techniques for the incoming Environmental Geography major. Includes laboratory safety, research methods, exploration of resources (library and internet), and an outline of the discipline. | |