Graduate Courses for Geography (GEOG)

Schedule of Classes: Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer
(Only current and next semester available)

GEOG 410 Washington, D.C.: Past and Present (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG410 or GEOG454. Formerly GEOG 454.
Development of the Washington, D.C. area from its origin as the Federal Capital to its role as a major metropolitan area. The geographic setting, the L'Enfant Plan and its modification, the federal government role, residential and commercial structure. The growth of Washington's suburbs.

GEOG 415 Land Use, Climate Change, and Sustainability (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG123, GEOG306, or permission of department. Recommended: GEOG201/211, GEOG340, GEOG342, or GEOG331. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG415 or GEOG498D. Formerly GEOG 498D.
The issues of climate change and land use change as two interlinked global and regional environmental issues and their implications for society and resource use are explored.

GEOG 418 Field and Laboratory Techniques in Environmental Science (1-3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG418 or GEOG448. Formerly GEOG 448.
Lecture and laboratory learning each week. A variable credit course that introduces field and laboratory analyses in environmental science. Individual learning contract are developed with instructor.

GEOG 431 Culture and Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG421 or GEOG431. Formerly GEOG 421.
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.

GEOG 432 Location Theory and Spatial Analysis (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG430 or GEOG432. Formerly GEOG 430.
Theories and procedures for determining the optimal location of industrial, commercial and public facilities. Techniques to evaluate location decisions. The provision of services with regions and metropolitan areas. Emerging trends.

GEOG 433 Transportation Networks (3 credits)
The theory and practice of analyzing transportation networks, including modes, links, routes, flows and regions. Examples drawn from different transportation modes.

GEOG 434 The Contemporary City (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG434 or GEOG450. Formerly GEOG 450.
The contemporary urban system: towns, cities and metropolitan areas and their role as concentrations of social and economic activity. Patterns of land-use: residential, employment, commercial activity, manufacturing, and transportation. Explanatory and descriptive models. International comparisons.

GEOG 435 Population Geography (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG422 or GEOG435. Formerly GEOG 422.
The spatial characteristics of population distribution and growth, migration, fertility and mortality from a global perspective. Basic population-environmental relationships; carrying capacity, density, relationships to national development.

GEOG 437 Political Geography (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG423 or GEOG437. Formerly GEOG 423.
Geographical factors in the national power and international relations; an analysis of the role of geopolitics and geostrategy, with special reference to the current world scene.

GEOG 438 Seminar in Human Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Selected topics in human geography.

GEOG 440 Advanced Geomorphology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG340 or GEOL340 or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG440 or GEOG441. Formerly GEOG 441.
A quantitative investigation of the fundamental geomorphic processes shaping modern landscapes, with emphasis on coastal, fluvial or glacial processes. Discussion of historical environments. Field, instrumentation and laboratory analyses.

GEOG 442 Biogeography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG342 or equivalent. Recommended: GEOG123. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG442, GEOG447, or GEOG484. Formerly GEOG 447.
Current Biogeographical topics of global significance, including a consideration of measurement techniques, and both descriptive and mechanistic modeling. Topics may include: scale in biogeography, climate and vegetation, global carbon cycle, biodiversity, interannual variability in the biosphere, land cover, global biospheric responses to climate change, NASA's Mission to Planet Earth and Earth Observation System.

GEOG 445 Climatology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG345. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG445 or GEOG446. Formerly GEOG 446.
Quantitative investigations into the Earth's radiation balance, water cycle, and the interrelationship of climate and vegetation. Methodologies in climate research. Case studies related to global climatic change.

GEOG 446 Applied Climatology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG345 or permission of department.
Components of earth's radiation balance and energy budgets: radiation, soil heat flux and the evaporation process. Measurement and estimation techniques. Practical applications of microclimatological theory and techniques.

GEOG 456 The Social Geography of Metropolitan Areas in Global Perspective (3 credits)
A socio-spatial approach to human interaction within the urban environments: ways people perceive, define, behave in, and structure world cities and metropolitan areas. Cultural and social differences define spatial patterns of social activities which further define distinctions in distribution and interaction of people and their social institutions.

GEOG 471 Advanced Computer Cartography (3 credits)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: GEOG371. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG471 or GEOG481. Formerly GEOG 481.
Advanced topics and skills of computer map mapping using more sophisticated software package. Map projection evaluation and selection, coordinate system conversion, techniques of quantitative thematic mapping, map design and generalization, hypermedia and animated cartography. Emphasis on designing and making cartographically sound sophisticated thematic maps.

GEOG 472 Remote Sensing:Digital Processing and Analysis (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG306, GEOG372 or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG472 or GEOG480. Formerly GEOG 480.
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.

GEOG 473 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (3 credits)
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: GEOG373. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG473 or GEOG482. Formerly GEOG 482.
Analytical uses of geographic information systems; data models for building geographic data bases; types of geographic data and spatial problems; practical experience using advanced software for thematic domains such as terrain analysis, land suitability modeling, demographic analysis, and transportation studies.

GEOG 475 Computer Cartography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG373. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG471 or GEOG475. Formerly GEOG 471.
Advanced skills of computer mapping using more sophisticated software packages. Map projection evaluation and selection, coordinate system conversion, techniques of quantitative thematic mapping, map design and generalization, hypermedia and animated cartopgraphy. Emphasis on designing and making cartographically sound sophisticated thematic maps.

GEOG 476 Programming for Geographers (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG306 or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG498G or GEOG476. Formerly GEOG 498G.
An introduction to programming for geography. Introduces the concepts of computer programming as applied to Geography. Implementation language is Visual Basic.

GEOG 496 NASA Academy (4 credits)
Two hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: College Permission. Junior standing. Also offered as CMPS496 and ENES496. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: CMPS496, GEOG496 or ENES496.
A ten-week resident summer institute at Goddard Space Flight Center for juniors, seniors and first-year graduate students interested in pursuing professional and leadership careers in aerospace-related fields. The national program includes research in a Goddard laboratory, field trips to NASA centers, and a combination of lectures and workshops on the mission, current activities and management of NASA. Students interested in the Academy will find information at http://nasa-academy.nasa.gov Application should be made by the end of January; sponsorship by an affiliated State Space Grant Consortium is customary, but not required.

GEOG 498 Topical Investigations (1-3 credits)
Restricted to advanced undergraduate students with credit for at least 24 hours in geography and to graduate students. Any exceptions should have approval of department. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Independent study under individual guidance.

GEOG 600 Introduction to Human Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department.
Introduces students to current trends and developments in human geography in the areas of geography as social science, space and place, and human dimensions of global change, and to research procedures in this field.

GEOG 602 Introduction to Physical Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department.
Introduces students to current trends and developments in physical geography and to research procedures in the field.

GEOG 603 Masters Research Tutorial (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG 600; and permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG 603 or GEOG 610. Formerly GEOG 610.
Development of Masters scholarly paper topic, critical literature review, formulation of geographical approach to research methodology. Individual meetings with faculty. Comprehensive exam before the end of the semester.

GEOG 604 PhD Research Tutorial (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG 600; and permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG 604, GEOG 610D, or GEOG 611. Formerly GEOG 611.
Development of Doctoral research proposal: critical literature review; formulation of research methodology; data identification and evaluation. Individual meetings with faculty. Doctoral proposal defense before end of semester.

GEOG 606 Quantitative Spatial Analysis (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG 305; or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG 605 or GEOG 606. Formerly GEOG 605.
Multivariate statistical method applications to spatial problems. Linear and non-linear correlation and regression, factor analysis, cluster analysis. Spatial statistics including: trend surfaces, sequences, point distributions. Applications orientation.

GEOG 609 Seminar in Remote Sensing (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG 480. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Topics in Remote Sensing: These may include agricultural, forestry, coastal environments, urban environments, and other major applications of remote sensing. Also may focus on new and existing earth observation missions dedicated to land research.

GEOG 614 Human Dimensions of Global Change (3 credits)
The intersection of human and biophysical systems from the vantage point of the impact of human actions on the environment are examined. The impact of the biophysical environment on humans is also discussed.

GEOG 615 Land Cover and Land Use Change (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG435, GEOG442, GEOG472, or GEOG473; or permission of department.
This class provides an examination of land cover and land use change science, addressing the causes, impacts and projection of change. Key concepts of land use science are presented and recent research papers and case studies are reviewed. Class consists of lectures, invited presentations and individual student projects and presentations.

GEOG 617 Field Course (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG 601 or GEOG 617. Formerly GEOG 601.
Graduate field course consisting of preparatory class, laboratory work, field instruction, field data collection, recording and analysis. This will be followed by preparation of a field report of methods, data collection, and data analysis results. Additionally, this will complement other graduate classes and provide skills that can be employed for graduate thesis work.

GEOG 618 Seminar in Geomorphology (3 credits)
Selected topics; this can include discussion of empirical and theoretical research methods applied to geomorphological problems including review of pertinent literature.

GEOG 628 Seminar in Climatology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Selected topics in climatology chosen to fit the individual needs of advanced students.

GEOG 632 Economic Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department.
An advanced graduate level introduction to the effects of geography on economic activities and the effects of economic incentives, institutions, and activities on the nature and sustainability of human and environmental geographic systems.

GEOG 635 Population and Environment (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG635 or GEOG788B. Formerly GEOG 788B.
Course explores the reciprocal relationship between human and phyical systems that result in changes in the environment. Focuses on the roles of demographic variables of population growth and migration and physical envronmental variables from both a historic and recent time frame. These processes will be examined at various scales, from local changes to global changes.

GEOG 636 Qualitative Methods in Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Formerly GEOG 648C.
Use of qualitative methods for qualitative geographic research. Design procedures and analysis of qualitative studies are the focus of the course. Includes readings and trying out various methods. Students will be able to present their own research and use it as an example throughout the course.

GEOG 638 Seminar in Biogeography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: 6 credits of biogeography, ecology or related courses. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Topics in Biogeography: Biological aspects of Geography. These may include ecology, biodiversity, climate-vegetation interactions, impacts of global change.

GEOG 639 Seminar in Physical Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Examination of selected themes and problems in physical geography.

GEOG 642 Ecosystem Processes and Human Habitability (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG442 or permission of department. Formerly GEOG 788C.
Biological and biogeographical processes relevant to the capability of the earth's biota to support the demands of its human populations.

GEOG 645 Advanced Climatology (3 credits)
Advanced study of elements and controls of the Earth's climate. Analysis of the energy and water balacnes at the Earth's surface and their importance and application to life on this planet.

GEOG 648 Seminar in Cultural Geography (3 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Examination of selected themes and problems in cultural geography.

GEOG 658 Seminar in Historical Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
An examination of themes and problems in historical geography with reference to selected areas.

GEOG 668 Seminar in Economic Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Examination of themes and problems in the field of economic geography.

GEOG 671 Remote Sensing Instruments and Observtions (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG472 or equivalent; or permission of department.
Detailed examination of land remote sensing instruments, observatories and resultant measurements in the optical portion of the EM spectrum. Includes computer-based exercises that examine the importance of data geo-registration and radiometric calibration in land measurements.

GEOG 672 Biophysics of Optical Remote Sensing (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG472 or equivalent; or permission of department.
Biophysical principles, phenomena and processes underlying multispectral remote sensing in the optical portion of the EM spectrum. Includes computer-based exercises that explore the biophysical basis of land patterns and dynamics observed in remote sensing data.

GEOG 673 GIS Modeling (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG306 and GEOG473 or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG673 or GEOG695. Formerly GEOG 695.
Process modeling and spatial analysis within the GIS context. Introducestheoretical fundamentals and conceptual approaches to frame and represent geographical phenomena and spatial decision making.

GEOG 674 GIS Spatial Databases (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG473 or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG674 or GEOG696. Formerly GEOG 696.
Introduces fundamental concepts and practical skills required to design, implement and use GIS databases. Students will learn to store and represent geospatial data in databases, design and create a spatial database, manage and query geospatial data, and deliver and present geospatial data.

GEOG 676 Programming for GIS (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG306 or equivalent and GEOG373 or equivalent.
An introduction to programming for geography. Introduces the concepts of computer programming as applied to geography and geographic information systems. Implementation language is Visual Basic.

GEOG 679 Seminar in Urban Geography (3 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Post-industrial urbanization; urban planning and management; metropolitan systems; internal structure of the city; use of techniques in urban locational research; transportation and land use.

GEOG 688 Seminar in Third World Devlopment (3 credits)
Selected topics in international development for the advanced student. Core-periphery spatial exchanges, location and accessibility issues, resource constraints and opportunities, planning for rural and agricultural development, urbanization processes, emerging regional patterns.

GEOG 694 Computerized Map Projections and Transformations (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG 373 or equivalent in computer science, or permission of department.
Computer generated projections; techniques for transforming one coordinate system to another; software for producing different map projections; mathematical and perceptual problems in producing and using projections.

GEOG 695 Spatial Models (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG 483 or equivalent; and GEOG 605 or equivalent.
Mathematical and other models for varied subject matter. Models for point, line, area, surface spatial data contexts. Descriptive and normative models. Aggregate and dis-aggregate models. Tools for research, planning, decision making. Information systems context. Intuitive understanding emphasized. Practical experience using several computer tools.

GEOG 696 Design for Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG 473 or permission of department.
The design, use, and management of computer based geographic information systems. Computer assisted spatial data collection, management, and display in education, government, and industry.

GEOG 698 Seminar in Cartography (1-6 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Selected topics; this can include: forensic cartography, tactile maps, design with new technologies, perception and cognitive mapping, history of cartography, laboratory management.

GEOG 699 Seminar in Computer Cartography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: GEOG 373 or equivalent course in computer science or permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Selected topics in computer-assisted cartography: algorithms for linear generalization, containing three-dimensional mapping and continuous-time mapping.

GEOG 718 Seminar in Integrative Studies (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 06 credits if content differs.
Selected topics integrating various areas of study within the field of geography and/or related disciplines.

GEOG 738 Seminar in Humaan Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 06 credits if content differs.
Selected topics in human geography.

GEOG 745 Seminar in Climatology (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: GEOG 628 or GEOG 745. Formerly GEOG 628.
Topics in Climatology: climatological aspects of geography. These may include causes and consequences of global climatic change, atmosphere-biosphere intteractions, paleoclimatology, climatic variability, and techniques in climate research.

GEOG 748 Seminar in Physical Geography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 06 credits if content differs.
Selected topics in physical geography.

GEOG 749 Seminar in Biogeography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 06 credits if content differs.
Selected topics in biogeography.

GEOG 778 Seminar in Remote Sensing (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 06 credits if content differs.
Selected topics in remote sensing.

GEOG 779 Seminar in Geographic Information Science (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 06 credits if content differs.
Selected topics in geographic information science.

GEOG 788 Selected Topics in Geography (1-3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 12 credits if content differs.
Readings and discussion on selected topics in the field of geography.

GEOG 789 Independent Readings (1-3 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Independent reading as arranged between a graduate faculty member and graduate student.

GEOG 790 Internship in Geography (3 credits)
Field experience in the student's specialty in a Federal, state, or local agency or private business. Research paper required.

GEOG 798 Selected Topics in Geography: Seminar Series (1 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.
Readings and discussions on selected topics in the field of geography.

GEOG 799 Master's Thesis Research (1-6 credits)

GEOG 898 Pre-Candidacy Research (1-8 credits)

GEOG 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8 credits)