Geography Major: Environmental & Land Use Planning Concentration
Why study geography and environmental and land use planning at CMU?
The geography program at CMU helps students develop a sound understanding of varied environments and prepares them for careers in a variety of professional areas such as climatology and geography education. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:
- Hands-on experience at the on-campus Center for Geographic Information Science
- Small classes, field trips, and opportunities to work in close collaboration with faculty on research projects
- Professional development, resources, and contacts through student organizations such as the Geography Club
- Excellent preparation for graduate study in programs such as CMU's Master of Science in Geographic Information Science
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Wage and salary employment in the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry is expected to grow by 60 percent, ranking it the fifth fastest growing industry in the economy.
- Overall employment of surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians is expected to grow about nine to 17 percent.
- As technologies become more complex, opportunities will be best for those who have a bachelor's degree and strong technical skills.
Career options
Graduates of the geography program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Aerial Photo/Image Analyst
- Cartographer
- Climatologist
- Educator
- Environmental Consultant
- Geographic Information Systems Specialist
- Land Use Planner
- Resource Manager
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Geography Major: Environmental & Land Use Planning Concentration
This concentration will prepare one for an entry level position in the fields of land use, environmental, or regional planning. Graduates may wish to enhance their qualifications upon completion of the concentration with graduate study in these areas.
( Total: 36 semester hours )
3
GEO 105 Physical Geography
An introduction to the physical processes of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere and the global distribution of climate, soils, and vegetation. This course has been approved for offering in a distance learning format. Satisfies University Program laboratory requirement. (University Program Group II-A)
3
GEO 120 Environmental Geography
An introduction to the human use of the earth's surface and inquiry into selected environmental problems resulting from use of the physical landscape. (University Program Group IV-A) This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
3
GEO 121 Cultures of the World
Population, political, economic, and other cultural phenomena and their world distribution patterns are presented upon a nontechnical background of physical geography. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group III-B)
3
GEO 203 Introduction to Geographic Information Science
Fundamentals of geographic information science - including map interpretation and spatial data gathering, measurement, classification, analysis and display. Current computer mapping technologies are used in laboratory.
(15 hours)
Required Courses I
3
GEO 303 Geographic Information Systems I
Concepts and applications of geographic information systems (GIS). Capturing, storing, querying, and displaying geographically referenced data. Primary emphasis is on vector-based GIS. Prerequisite: GEO 203
3
GEO 330 Resource Perception and Utilization
Influence of physical, economic, political, and social factors on the total resource system.
3
GEO 340 Urban Geography
The rise of cities and urbanization. Human use of urban space. The city as environment. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Recommended: GEO 121 or Junior standing.
3
GEO 530 Land Use Planning
Study of land use planning history, concepts and techniques. Analysis of federal, state, and local government roles in planning. Examination of specific land use programs. Prerequisites: GEO 303; 6 additional semester hours in either or both GEO or PSC.
3
GEO 531 Integrated Land Use Planning
The integration of land use planning and environmental management concepts and techniques with broader regional economic and environmental planning approaches in the US and abroad. Prerequisites: GEO 530.
At least one physical course (i.e. ESC or BIO) and a course in statistics is strongly recommended:
3
BLR 521 Environmental Law and Policy
A survey of environmental laws and policies that affect business decision making, stressing macroenvironmental considerations and major Michigan environmental issues. Prerequisites: BLR 202 or BLR 235 or ENV 101; completion of 86 hours; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor or permission of MBA director or MBE advisor.
3
GEO 305 Remote Sensing of the Environment
Characteristics and principles of remote sensing of the environment. The processes of remote sensing imagery acquisition, analysis, and information extraction. Prerequisites: GEO 203. Recommended: Six hours of geography or other environmental science.
3
GEO 317 Economic Geography
Principles and theories of economic geography, the global interrelationships of regional and local economic activities, and the effects of technology on spatial economic structures. (University Program Group III.B.) Recommended: GEO 121, Junior standing, or background in basic economics.
3
GEO 320 Population Geography
Spatial patterns of fertility, mortality, and migration, and the processes underlying those patterns. Population growth, distribution, problems and policies. Recommended: One of the following: GEO 120, 121, junior standing.
3
GEO 500 Advanced Cartography
Advanced methods and theories concerning the field of cartography including: cartographic communication and visualization, digital map compilation and multivariate data representation. Prerequisites: GEO 303
3
GEO 503 Geographic Information Systems
The techniques of computer-assisted analysis and display of spatially ordered geographic data. Students will use vector and raster GIS. Prerequisites: GEO 303, GEO 305.
3
GEO 508 Digital Remote Sensing
Computer processing and data analysis of digital remote sensing data. Emphasis on multispectral image processing and analysis using standard image processing software. Prerequisites: GEO 303, 305. Recommended: STA 382.
3
GEO 512 Quantitative Methods for Spatial Analysis
Statistical techniques for solving spatial problems. Descriptive and inferential spatial statistics. Point pattern analysis. Prerequisites: GEO 303; STA 382.
3
PSC 261 State and Local Government
Structure and functions of state, county, and city governments, with emphasis on policy issues. Michigan governments are used for illustrations and examples. (University Program Group III-B)
You may select only one of the following:
3
GEO 210 Landforms
Study of geomorphic processes including mass wastage, streams, and glaciation affecting the evolution and distribution of landforms in the physical landscape. Prerequisites: GEO 105 or GEL 101.
3
GEO 310 Surface Hydrology
The course deals with stream waters and their alteration of the landscape. Stresses the interaction of water, land and human activity. Prerequisite: GEO 210.
3
GEO 334/BIO 334 Soil Science
An introduction to the physical, chemical, and biotic properties of soils; soil classification and mapping; and soil resource issues. Identical to BIO 334. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: CHM 120 or CHM 131. Recommended: 6 hours of environmental science.
(0-3 hours)
Electives III
You may select only one of the following:
3
STA 282 Introduction to Statistics
Descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, statistical inference, regression. Course does not count on major, minor in mathematics. Credit may not be earned in both STA 282 and STA 382. Recommended: MTH 105 or competency. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
3
STA 382 Elementary Statistical Analysis
An introduction to statistical analysis. Topics will include descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, statistical inference, and regression. Greater emphasis than in STA 282 will be placed on probability theory and probability distribution. Credit may not be earned in both STA 282 and STA 382. Prerequisite: MTH 130 or 132 or 133.