Geography (GEO)                         Course Schedules

The complete description of the Department of Geography is found in the College of Science & Technology.

Descriptions of courses approved for the University Program appear in italic type.

Distance Learning Courses: Courses in the department approved for offering in a distance learning format include: GEO 121, 373.

GEO 120 Environmental Geography 3(3-0) F, Sp
An introduction to the human use of the earth's surface and inquiry into selected environmental problems resulting from use of the physical landscape. (Group IV-A)

GEO 121 Cultures of the World 3(3-0) F, Sp
Population, political, economic, and other cultural phenomena and their world distribution patterns are presented upon a nontechnical background of physical geography. (Group III-B)

GEO 200 Contemporary World Problems 3(3-0) D
An introduction to a global perspective, the examination of geographic factors affecting selected world problems, and the evaluation of the geographic quality of media coverage.

GEO 203 Introduction to Cartography 3(2-2) F, Sp
Fundamentals of map interpretation--including measurement, topographic interpretation, classification, map construction and map types. Computer mapping is introduced.

GEO 303 Computer Cartography and GIS 3(2-2) F, Sp
The basic elements of digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS). Thematic and surface mapping. Capture, storage, manipulation, output of data within a GIS framework. Prerequisites: GEO 203 or permission of instructor.

GEO 305 Remote Sensing of the Environment 3(2-2) F, Sp
Characteristics and principles of sensing systems. Interpretation of photographic and electronic imagery of earth environment from airborne and space platforms. Prerequisite: 6 hours of geography or other environmental science, or permission of instructor.

GEO 315 Food and Agriculture 3(3-0) D
Study of world production, exchange, and consumption of agricultural commodities with emphasis upon the problems associated with food shortages and the areas most severely affected. Prerequisite: one of the following: GEO 120, GEO 121, ESC 101.

GEO 317 Economic Geography 3(3-0) D
Principles and theories of economic geography, the global interrelationships of regional and local economic activities, and the effect of technology on economic structures. (Group III-B)

GEO 320 Population Geography 3(3-0) F
Spatial patterns of fertility, mortality, and migration, and the processes underlying those patterns. Population growth, distribution, problems and policies. Prerequisites: one of the following: junior standing, GEO 120, GEO 121, or permission of the instructor.

GEO 325 Geography of Growth and Change 3(3-0) D
Interrelated nature of the growth of human activity and the resulting spatial expression. Impact of growth on environment. Prerequisite: GEO 120.

GEO 330 Resource Perception and Utilization 3(3-0) D
Influence of physical, economic, political, and social factors on the total resource system.

GEO 340 Urban Geography 3(3-0) Sp
The rise of cities and urbanization. Human use of urban space. The city as environment.

GEO 345 Political Geography 3(3-0) D
Areal characteristics and territorial problems of states, including internal regional relations, border disputes, and colonial areas. Selected world problems. Prerequisite: background in history desirable.

GEO 346 Geography of the Developing World 3(3-0) D
A geographic analysis of the developing world focusing on processes of environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic change, particularly since World War II. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of the instructor.

GEO 350 Anglo-America 3(3-0) D
Physical environment, resources, economic activities, population pattern, and interregional relationships of United States and Canada.

GEO 365 Europe 3(3-0)
Geographic characteristics of the continent, its regions, and economic and political systems since WWII. National characteristics of culture, human/land relationships and international involvements. Identical to EUR 301. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

GEO 373 Latin America 3(3-0) F, Sp
Geographic characteristics of Latin America from colonization to present. Regions are interpreted by analysis of geographical elements and their interrelationships. (Group IV-B)

GEO 375 Special Topics in Geography 1-9(Spec) D
Various geography topics offered at an advanced undergraduate level. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

GEO 395 Michigan 3(3-0) D
Physical environment, resources, settlement, population, and economic activities studied sequentially and regionally. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of instructor.

GEO 397 Independent Study 1-3(Spec) F, Sp
Exploration of topics in geography agreed upon by student and instructor. May be taken only upon arrangement prior to registration.

GEO 400 Geographic Education 3(2-2) F, Sp
Study of geography in the K-12 curriculum including relevant teaching methods, national and state content standards and multicultural education. Prerequisites: junior standing; 12 hours of geography or social sciences.

GEO 404 Global Positioning System 1(1-0)
Introduction to the Global Positioning System, system operation, data capture, mission planning and data import to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Prerequisites: GEO 303 or permission of instructor.

GEO 500 Advanced Cartography 3(2-2)
Advanced techniques for cartographic exploration and communication. Cartographic representation of multivariate data, interactive and animated cartography, and Web-based cartographic communication. Prerequisite: GEO 303 or permission of instructor.

GEO 503 Geographic Information Systems 3(2-2)
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.

GEO 506 Applications in Remote Sensing of the Environment 3(2-2) D
The study of imagery to reveal characteristics of natural and cultural environment. Photographic, thermal infrared, and radar imagery to be considered, emphasis on aerial photography. Prerequisite: GEO 305 or permission of instructor.

GEO 508 Digital Remote Sensing 3(2-2) D
Computer processing and analysis of digital remote sensing data. Emphasis on multispectral image processing and analysis using standard microcomputer image processing programs. Prerequisites: GEO 303, GEO 305.

GEO 512 Quantitative Methods for Spatial Analysis 3(2-2)
Statistical techniques for solving spacial problems. Descriptive and inferential spatial statistics. Point pattern analysis. Prerequisites: GEO 303; STA 382 or equivalent; or permission of instructor.

GEO 515 Geography of the Great Lakes Region 3(3-0) D
To increase awareness of the complexity and unity of the Great Lakes Region. Study and application of regional concepts to the Great Lakes area. Prerequisites: 6 hours of GEO, or permission of instructor.

GEO 530 Land Use Planning 3(3-0) D
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; or permission of instructor.

GEO 531 Integrated Land Use Planning 3(3-0)
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 or permission of instructor.

GEO 550 Geography for Teachers 3(3-0) F, Sp
For teachers who want to upgrade their knowledge of geography, experiment with new teaching techniques, and learn how to make professional in-service presentations to teachers. Graduate credit only. Prerequisites: yeacher certification or permission of instructor.

GEO 575 Special Studies in Geography 1-6(Spec) D
Various special topics offered at an advanced undergraduate and graduate level. Prerequisites: permission of instructor.

GEO 591 Internship 1-12(Spec) F, Sp
Experiences in applying geographic techniques to environmental analysis, resource management, and business applications. Up to 3 hours of internship credit can be applied to the geography/earth science major. Identical to ESC 591. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. A full-time internship position for one semester may qualify for 12 hours of credit. Prerequisite: permission of program advisor.

GEO 597 Independent Study 1-9(Spec) D
Exploration of topics in geography agreed upon by student and instructor. May be taken only by arrangement prior to registration. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and department chairperson; at least 6 hours on the 400 level.

GEO 600 Dynamic Mapping and Visualization 3(2-2)

GEO 603 GIS Design and Programming 3(2-2)

GEO 608 Advanced Digital Remote Sensing 3(2-2)

GEO 619 Continuing Registration for Final Research Project 1(1-0)

GEO 701 Contemporary Spatial Data Management 3(2-2)

GEO 797 Directed Research in Geographic Information Sciences 1-6(Spec)

GEO 798 Thesis 1-6(Spec)

Credit Limitation. Courses in the department that are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy covering unspecified content or variable credit are: GEO 568, 575, 597.

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