 |
 |
|
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGYGeography Course DescriptionsGEO 131 Weather and Climate. [GEOG 1301] A systematic introduction to weather and climate as it pertains to man. Topics discussed will include components of weather, weather processes and their measurement, severe weather, climatic elements and control factors, and climate as a factor of physical environments. Credit 3. GEO 111 Weather and Climate Laboratory. Concurrent enrollment in GEO 131 is strongly recommended. Credit 1. GEO 161 Introduction to Geography. [GEOG 1300] An introductory course designed to acquaint students with the breadth of Geography. This includes an examination of the physical environment, environmental issues, and the cultural, economic, and political factors that influence human activities and societies. Attention will be focused upon the spatial interrelationships that exist between man and his environment. In addition, selected geographic skills will be covered, including latitude and longitude determination, earth-sun relationships, time, map projections and map scale. Credit 3 GEO 265 World Regional Geography: Europe, Asia, And Australia. [GEOG 1303] An introductory level course giving a general overview of the land and people. Topics discussed will include the physical environment, cultural characteristics and the various ways people live and make their living. Attention will be focused upon the relationships which exist between location, the physical environment and human activity. Examples of countries covered are Russia, Germany, France, China, Japan, and United Kingdom. Credit 3. GEO 266 World Regional Geography: Latin America, Africa, and South Asia. [GEOG 1303] An introductory level course giving a general overview of the land and people. Topics discussed will include the physical environment, cultural characteristics and the various ways people live and make their living. Attention will be focused upon the relationships which exist between location, the physical environment and human activity. Examples of countries covered are Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Egypt, Republic of South Africa, Israel, Iran, and India. Writing Enhanced. Credit 3. GEO 330 Cultural Geography. An evolutionary examination of man as an agent of change within the environment. Innovation, development, and diffusion of agriculture, language, religion, music, sport, and other attainments and institutions will be examined for their expression on the landscape. Credit 3. GEO 331 Location and Human Activity. An examination of the importance of location to human activity. The locational characteristics of primary, secondary, and tertiary economic activities are examined, with an emphasis on land use and urban form, its theory, and descriptive analysis, as well as an explanation of market forces and their consequences. Credit 3. GEO 362 Map Use and Map Interpretation. This course teaches students how to use and interpret topographic maps and helps them to develop an appreciation of their use as tools by geographers. It familiarizes students with map projections and their limitations, various coordinate systems, map measurements, GPS, and the basics of air photo interpretation. Credit 3. GEO 363 Computer Cartography. Fundamentals of thematic mapping, including appropriate usage, projections, basemap compilation, data measurement and analysis, map design and construction, color principles, and other cartographic concepts will be emphasized. Prerequisite: GEO 362. Credit 3. GEO 368 Historical Geography of the United States. A survey of the changing geography of the United States including initial exploration, European perception of North America, geographical expansion of the United States to the Pacific, and geographical factors underlying the urbanization and industrialization of the nation. Writing Enhanced. Credit 3. GEO 369 Anglo-America. This course provides a general overview of the land and people of the United States and Canada. Topics covered include the physical environment (weather patterns, landforms and water resources), cultural differences, and the various ways people live and make their living. Attention is focused upon the relationships which exist between location, the physical environment and human activity. Writing Enhanced. Credit 3. GEO 433 Field Studies. Use of geospatial technologies such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), laser surveying, digital aerial photography and computerized mapping (GIS) will be stressed. Applications of these technologies will include surveying, water resources, forestry, soil science, wetlands delineation, urban and transportation planning, automobile accident reconstruction and crime scene evidence recovery. Half of the class meetings will take place at a variety of outdoor locations. Credit 3. GEO 435 Applied Geographic Information Systems. Applied GIS is designed to meet the needs for a highly applied course with realistic practical training extending the fundamental principles learned in Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GEO 444). The application of GIS technology to mapping, modeling and management of large data bases will be emphasized. Writing Enhanced. Prerequisite: GEO 444. Credit 3 GEO 442 Geomorphology. This course focuses on surficial geological processes and the resulting landforms. Specific topics include landscape processes associated with streams, glaciers, wind, coasts, mass wasting, weathering and soil development, and geologic structure. Labs emphasize landform analysis through interpretation of topographic maps and aerial photos. Writing Enhanced. Prerequisite: GEL 133. Two-hour laboratory. Credit 4. GEO 444 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. This course will introduce basics of geographic information systems (GIS) with an emphasis on environmental and resource management applications. Students will design and develop a digital spatial database, perform spatial analyses, create hardcopy maps, and generate reports. Students will be introduced to several GIS software packages. Writing Enhanced. Credit 3. GEO 448 Remote Sensing. This course introduces students to the methods used to analyze and interpret aerial photography and satellite imagery. Emphasis is placed on multispectral satellite imagery, digital image processing, and land use and land cover analysis using remotely sensed imagery. Credit 3. GEO 461 Conservation of Natural Resources. This course stresses the impact of human activities on the natural world, environmental protection, and the wise use of the earth’s resources. Topics include: environmental history, economics, law and ethics, ecology, population issues, agriculture and grazing, soil conservation, forestry, endangered and exotic species, water availability and water pollution, hazardous and solid waste management, air pollution (including global warming), energy resources (fossil, nuclear, and renewable), and the impact of technology on the future health of the planet. Credit 3. GEO 471 Texas. A survey of the regional geography of Texas. Consideration is given to the significance of primary and secondary activity within the state, urbanization, and potential for development. Writing enhanced. Credit 3. GEO 472 Ethnic Texas: A Multicultural Geography. A developmental study of the state stressing the perception, manipulation and change of its environment by its people. Ethnic/culture groups considered will include the following: Anglo, Black, French, German, Greek, Indian, Italian, Jewish, Mexican-American, Scandinavian-American (Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes), and Slavic-Americans (Czechs, Poles, Slovaks, and Wends). Credit 3. GEO 475 Readings in Geography. A course designed specifically for advanced students of geography who are capable of independent study. Registration is permitted only upon approval of the program coordinator. This course may be taken for Academic Distinction credit. See Academic Distinction Program in this catalog. Writing Enhanced. Credit 1-3. .*Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
|