GEOGRAPHY (GEO)
GEO 101 Atmospheric Processes and Patterns 3 cr
Introduces students to the natural science branch of geography. Emphasizes earth-sun relationships, weather and climate. Fee.
Core Course. Corequisite: GEO 101L.
GEO 101L Atmospheric Processes and Patterns Laboratory 1 cr
Laboratory exercises associated with GEO 101. GEO 101 must be taken concurrently. Together, GEO 101 and GEO 101L count as one laboratory science course, partially fulfilling general education requirements.
GEO 102 Landscape Processes and Patterns 3 cr
Introduces students to the natural science branch of geography. Emphasizes spatial patterns and processes related to natural landscape regions and landforms. Fee.
Core Course. Corequisite: GEO 102L.
GEO 102L Landscape Processes and Patterns Laboratory 1 cr
Laboratory exercises associated with GEO 102. GEO 102 must be taken concurrently. Together, GEO 102 and GEO 102L count as one laboratory science course, partially fulfilling general education requirements.
GEO 114 Introduction to Human Geography 3 cr
This course introduces students 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.
Core Course.
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.
Core Course.
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 (identical to GY 310).
GEO 312 World Economic Geography (C, W) 3 cr
Emphasis is placed on the location, spatial distribution, and spatial interaction of economic activities within a global context. Topics covered include population, natural resources, primary, secondary, and tertiary activities, development and international trade and aid. Students will write technical reports using word processing and spreadsheet software. Prerequisite: GEO 114.
GEO 313 Geography of
U.S. and Canada 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.
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.
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 316 Geography of China 3 cr
This course will systematically analyze the physical environment, resources, historical setting, demographics, economic development, gender and social dynamics, and politics in the PRC. Special attention will be paid to the changing perceptions about China, its economic reforms, policy and social changes, its globalizing economy, its transition from socialism, and its role in East Asia and Southeast Asia.
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.
GEO 321 National Parks Conservation (W) 3 cr
An analysis of the motives and processes for establishing national parks and nature reserves, the primary conservation and preservation issues they have, and the influences of ecology, politics, and culture on their planning and management. US national parks are emphasized.
GEO 331 Computer Graphs and Maps 4 cr
Introductory review of the application of computers to the production of graphs and thematic maps for geographical analysis. Permission of instruction. Fee.
GEO 332 Remote Sensing I 4 cr
Interpretation of maps, air photos and satellite images (identical to GY 332). Prerequisite GEO 102 and GEO 102L. Permission of instructor. 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
(identical to MET 341). Prerequisite: GEO 353/MET 353.
Minimum grade of "C" needed in course prerequisite. Fee.
GEO 342 Severe Weather 3 cr
A study of the causes, structure, and impact of tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and other severe weather systems (identical to MET 342). Prerequisite:
GEO/MET 353.
Minimum grade of "C" needed in course prerequisite. GEO 353 General Meteorology 4 cr
An overall view of the field of meteorology for science majors
and minors. The course uses a quantitative approach to study the composition of the atmosphere, atmospheric processes, global circulation, and storm development (identical to MET 353). Prerequisites:
MET 140, MET 140L and MA 112.
Minimum grade of "C" needed in course prerequisites. Fee.
GEO 365 Urban Geography (C) 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
International 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 381 Cultural Geography 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 GEO 115.
GEO 410 Biogeography 3 cr
Analysis of spatial patterns of life on
Earth. Biogeography emphasizes the influence of the physical environment, paleogeography, and past and possible future climate change on biomes and biogeographic realms. Prerequisite: 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 412 Physiographic Regions of North America (W) 3 cr
The study of the major and minor natural regions of the North American continent, from Alaska to the Mexican border, including the Caribbean area. The course will focus on the different physically defined regions of North America, studying the homogenous variables that make each region distinct, including the topography, vegetation, soils, surface features, and past climates.
GEO 420 Geostatistics 4 cr
Applied bivariate and multivariate statistics to problems in geology, geography, and meteorology; parametric and non-parametric procedures in correlation, regression, analysis of variance, etc. Time series analysis, trend surface analysis, kriging and analysis of spatial (map) data (identical to GY 420).
GEO 435 Research Methods in Geography (C) 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: Senior 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. Taught only at Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
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. Taught only at Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
GEO 442 Remote Sensing II
4 cr
Analysis of remotely sensed digital data for detection and mapping of earth resources (identical to GY 442). Fee. Prerequisites: GEO or GY 332
GEO 460 Introduction to GIS 4 cr
Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems technology, including software functionality (ArcGIS), data processing, cartography and spatial analysis (identical to GY 460). Fee. Prerequisite: GEO 331.
GEO 461 GIS Applications I - Environment 4 cr
Application of Geographic Information Systems to studies of the natural environment (identical to GY 461). Permission of instructor. Prerequisites: GEO or GY 460.
GEO 462 GIS Applications II - Business and
Social Sciences 4 cr
Application of Geographic Information Systems to Business and the Social Sciences. Fee. Prerequisites: GEO or GY 460.
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: Senior standing. 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 laboratory or library under the direction of a member of the geography faculty.
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.
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 Bulletin course offerings.
