Geography

Geography (GEO) (ESC)

For information, please contact
Richard N. Mower, Chairperson, 774-3821, 296 B Dow Science Complex

Department Website

Why Study Geography?
Geography at CMU
Geography Major
Geography Major - Geographic Information Systems Concentration
Geography Major - Environmental Analysis & Land Use Planning
Geography Major - B.S. in Ed., Secondary
Geography Minor - B.A., B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A.
Geography Minor - B.S. in Ed.
Geographic Information Sciences Minor
Earth Science Major - Meteorology Concentration
Earth Science Major - Oceanography Concentration
Earth Science Major - B.A., B.S.
Earth Science Major - B.S. in Ed.
Earth Science Minor - B.A., B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A.
Earth Science Minor - B.S. in Ed.
Meteorology Minor
The Faculty
GEO Course Descriptions
ESC Course Descriptions

Why Study Geography?
Geography (GEO/ESC) offers a challenging and stimulating variety of courses and programs that will help you cope with our rapidly changing world. Geography provides an interesting and revealing approach to contemporary environmental, economic, and social issues in that it emphasizes the interrelationships and interactions between humans and the environment. Earth science courses stress the patterns and processes of natural phenomena which affect our environment. Human geography courses focus upon human patterns of occupancy and resource use. Technical courses provide the means to produce maps, images, and data bases used to display and analyze these relationships.

Geographers work under many different names -- climatologists, weather forecasters, cartographers, aerial photo/image analysts, geographic information systems specialists, resource managers, environmental consultants, land use planners, and educators.

Geography provides a means to help better understand our varied environments.

Geography at CMU
The general objective of the Department of Geography is to offer courses in geography and earth science which contribute to an understanding of the earth's physical/human systems.

The department offers a major and minor in geography and advises the interdisciplinary major and minor in earth science. In addition, specialized major concentrations in geography are available in geographic information sciences (GIS), in environmental analysis and land use planning. In earth science, concentrations are in meteorology and oceanography. The geography major requires 30-40 credit hours, and the earth science major requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. Both of the majors and minors are advised under teaching and nonteaching degrees.

Geography and Earth Science majors are required to take courses which cover the basic content, concepts, and techniques of the disciplines. Elective hours should be selected in consultation with an advisor. Students should also consult with a departmental advisor early in their career at CMU. This may be done by contacting the Department Office or any of the advisors listed below.

Notes:
Advising. Majors and minors should begin their program as early as possible because they may be advised to elect another major or minor in a related discipline. Majors should consult with their advisor each semester prior to registration.

Credit/No Credit. Courses taken on a Credit/No Credit basis may not be counted on departmental majors and minors.

Transfer credit. Survey or introductory courses are accepted for not more than three hours per course for the department majors and minors.

Field trips. Expenses for field trips may be prorated among class members.

Student Teaching. Students seeking the Geography Department’s recommendation for student teaching must have: (1) a signed major/minor in geography or earth science, (2) a minimum grade point average of 2.7 in the major/minor courses, and (3) completed a Geography Department application form.
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Geography Majors

Geography Major
B.A., B.S. degrees
Advisors: staff

1. Core: 12 semester hours
GEO 120 (3) Environmental Geography
GEO 121 (3) Cultures of the World
GEO 203 (3) Introduction to Cartography
ESC 105 (3) Physical Geography

2. Required Courses: 9 semester hours
9 hours of 300-level, including one regional course.

3. Electives: 9 hours selected with permission of advisor.

Total: 30 semester hours
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Geography Major
B.A., B.S. degrees

Geographic Information Sciences (GISci) Concentration
Advisors: Li, Lobben, Patton, Westmoreland

Total: 38-40 semester hours

It is suggested that a minor or second minor should be selected from the following: Earth Science, Biology with an emphasis in conservation/resources, Geology with an emphasis on environment, Mathematics, or Computer Science
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Geography Major
B.A., B.S. degrees

Environmental Analysis and Land Use Planning Concentration
Advisors: Brea, Francek, Pape, Shively

Usually a career in the planning profession requires a master’s degree in planning from a university with a certified program. A career in environmental analysis may not necessarily require a master’s degree. It is strongly recommended that students complete STA 282 or STA 382 and ENG 303.

1. Core: 12 semester hours
GEO 120 (3) Environmental Geography
GEO 121 (3) Cultures of the World
GEO 203 (3) Introduction to Cartography
ESC 105 (3) Physical Geography

2. Concentration: 15 hours
GEO 303 (3) Computer Cartography and GIS
GEO 305 (3) Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEO 503 (3) Geographic Information Systems
GEO 530 (3) Land Use Planning
ESC 334 (3) Soil Science OR
BIO 334 (3) Soil Science

3. Electives: 9-10 semester hours selected from the following with permission of advisor:
ESC 210 (3) Landforms
ESC 310 (3) Surface Hydrology
ESC 340 (3) Micrometeorology
ESC 341 (3) Micrometeorology Laboratory
ESC 346 (3) Air Pollution
GEO 330 (3) Resource Perception and Utilization
GEO 340 (3) Urban Geography
GEO 500 (3) Advanced Cartography
GEO 506 (3) Applications in Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEO 508 (3) Digital Remote Sensing
BIO 365 (3) Environmental Contaminants
BLR 521 (3) Environmental Law and Policy
CHM 131 (4) Introduction to Chemistry
GEL 380 (3) Hydrogeology
PSC 261 (3) State and Local Government
STA 282 (3) Introduction to Statistics

Total: 36-37 semester hours
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Geography Major
B.S. in Ed. degree Secondary and Secondary Special Education Emphases
Advisors: Kiefer, Libbee

Required Courses: 15 semester hours
GEO 120 (3) Environmental Geography
GEO 121 (3) Cultures of the World
GEO 203 (3) Introduction to Cartography
ESC 105 (3) Physical Geography
GEO 400 (3) Geographic Education

Electives (18 hours) selected in consultation with an advisor, including:
a. one thematic course focused on social/economic issues, selected from GEO 315 (3), GEO 317 (3), GEO 325, GEO 330 (3), GEO 340 (3), or GEO 345 (3).

b. one regional course in a North American context which includes a concern with ethnic groups and minority populations selected from GEO 350 (3), GEO 395 (3), or GEO 515 (3).

c. one regional course focused on an area other than North America or an internationally focused course selected from GEO 346 (3), GEO 365 (3), or GEO 373 (3).

d. nine additional hours from GEO or ESC.

Total: 33 semester hours
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Geography Minors

Geography Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A. degrees
Advisors: Staff

1. Requirements (11-13 hours) at least one course in each of the following categories:
a. Techniques:
GEO 203 (3) Introduction to Cartography
GEO 303 (3) Computer Cartography and GIS
GEO 305 (3) Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEO 500 (3) Advanced Cartography
GEO 506 (3) Applications in Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEO 550 (3) Geography for Teachers

b. Systematic:
GEO 120 (3) Environmental Geography
GEO 121 (3) Cultures of the World
GEO 200 (3) Contemporary World Problems
GEO 315 (3) Food and Agriculture
GEO 317 (3) Concepts of Economic Geography
GEO 320 (3) Population Geography
GEO 325 (3) Geography of Growth and Change
GEO 330 (3) Resource Perception and Utilization
GEO 340 (3) Urban Geography
GEO 345 (3) Political Geography
GEO 530 (3) Land Use Planning

c. Regional:
GEO 350 (3) Anglo-America
GEO 365 (3) Europe
GEO 373 (3) Latin America
GEO 395 (3) Michigan
GEO 515 (3) Geography of the Great Lakes Region

d. Physical:
ESC 105 (3) Physical Geography
ESC 201 (4) Weather
ESC 205 (3) Oceanography
ESC 210 (3) Landforms
ESC 240 (4) Meteorology
ESC 301 (3) Climatology and Climate Change
ESC 303 (3) Synoptic Meteorology I
ESC 304 (3) Synoptic Meteorology II
ESC 305 (3) Oceanography: Economic and Environmental
ESC 310 (3) Surface Hydrology
ESC 320 (3) Glacial Morphology and Landforms
ESC 330 (3) Biogeography
ESC 334 (3) Soil Science OR
BIO 334 (3) Soil Science
ESC 340 (3) Micrometeorology
ESC 346 (3) Air Pollution
ESC 350 (3) Environmental Catastrophes
ESC 546 (3) Biometeorology

2. Electives (7-9 hours) selected in consultation with the minor advisor.

Total: 20 semester hours
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Geography Minor
B.S. in Ed. degree, all Emphases
Advisors: Kiefer, Libbee

1. Required Courses (15 hours):
GEO 120 (3) Environmental Geography
GEO 121 (3) Cultures of the World
GEO 203 (3) Introduction to Cartography
GEO 400 (3) Geographic Education
ESC 105 (3) Physical Geography

2. Electives (8-9 hours) selected in consultation with advisor, including:
a. one thematic course focused on social/economic issues. [Selected from: GEO 315 (3), GEO 317 (3), GEO 325(3), GEO 330 (3), GEO 340 (3) or GEO 345 (3)]

b. one regional course in a North American context which includes a concern with ethnic groups and minority populations. [Selected from: GEO 350 (3), GEO 395 (3), GEO 515 (3)]

c. one regional course focused on an area other than North America or an internationally focused course. [Selected from: GEO 346 (3), GEO 365 (3), GEO 373 (3)]

Total: 23-24 semester hours
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Geographic Information Sciences (GISci) Minor
B.A., B.A.A., and B.S. degrees
Advisors: Li, Lobben, Patton, Westmoreland

The Geographic Information Sciences Minor provides both academic and technical training in the three major areas of the Geographic Information Sciences-cartography, GIS and remote sensing. This minor will emphasize both concepts and technical skills that will enable students to apply Geographic Information Sciences principles and techniques to their respective disciplines.

Required Courses (12 hours)
GEO 203 (3) Introduction to Cartography
GEO 303 (3) Computer Cartography and GIS
GEO 305 (3) Remote Sensing of the Environment
CPS 110 (3) Beginning Programming in Basic OR
CPS 180 (3) Principles of Computer Programming

Electives (9 hours) from the following:
GEO 404 (1) Global Positioning System
GEO 500 (3) Advanced Cartography
GEO 503 (3) Geographic Information Systems
GEO 506 (3) Applications in Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEO 508 (3) Digital Remote Sensing
GEO 512 (3) Quantitative Methods for Spatial Analysis
GEO 575 (1-3) Special Studies in Geography
GEO 591 (1-3) Internship
GEO 597 (1-3) Independent Study

Total: 21 semester hours
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Earth Science Majors

Earth Science Major
Meteorology Concentration
Advisors: Aron, Mower

1. Required Meteorology Courses (23 hours)
ESC 240 (4) Meteorology
ESC 303 (3) Synoptic Meteorology I
ESC 304 (3) Synoptic Meteorology II
ESC 340 (3) Micrometeorology
ESC 341 (1) Micrometeorology Laboratory
ESC 403 (3) Physical Meteorology
ESC 503 (3) Dynamic Meteorology I
ESC 504 (3) Dynamic Meteorology II

2. Required Cognate Courses (21-24 hours):
PHY 145 (4) University Physics I
PHY 146 (4) University Physics II
PHY 175 (1) University Physics Laboratory I
PHY 176 (1) University Physics Laboratory II
MTH 334 (3) Differential Equations
CPS 109 (1) Computer Communication Concepts
CPS 150 (2) FORTRAN Programming
CHM 120 (4) Survey of Chemistry AND
CHM 127 (1) Introductory Chemistry Laboratory OR
CHM 131 (4) Introduction to Chemistry I AND
CHM 132 (4) Introduction to Chemistry II

3. Electives (6 hours): selected in consultation with the major advisor from the following:
PHY 247 (4) Introduction to Modern Physics
PHY 332 (3) Electricity and Magnetism
PHY 450 (3) Thermal Physics
PHY 533 (3) Electromagnetic Waves
MTH 438 (3) Numerical Analysis I
MTH 439 (3) Numerical Analysis II
STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis
CPS 180 (3) Principles of Computer Programming
CPS 181 (3) Introduction to Data Structures
ESC 205 (3) Oceanography
ESC 301 (3) Climatology and Climatic Change
ESC 310 (3) Surface Hydrology
ESC 346 (3) Air Pollution
ESC 546 (2) Biometeorology
GEO 303 (3) Computer Cartography and GIS
GEO 305 (3) Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEO 503 (3) Geographic Information Systems
GEO 508 (3) Computer Assisted Remote Sensing

Total: 50-53 semester hours
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Earth Science Major
Oceanography Concentration
Advisor: Nelson

1. Required Courses (34-37 hours):
ESC 201 (4) Weather OR
ESC 240 (4) Meteorology
ESC 205 (3) Oceanography
ESC 305 (3) Oceanography: Economic and Environmental
GEL 101 (3) Physical Geology
GEL 102 (1) Physical Geology Laboratory
GEL 201 (2) Earth History
GEL 303 (3) Oceanography: Marine Geology
BIO 101 (3) General Biology OR
BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
CHM 120 (4) Survey of Chemistry AND
CHM 127 (1) Introductory Chemistry Laboratory OR
CHM 131 (4) Introduction to Chemistry I AND
CHM 132 (4) Introduction to Chemistry II

2. Electives (3-6 hours)
All MAR courses*
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 361 (1) Water Conservation
BIO 363 (1) Fisheries Conservation
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 366 (3) Freshwater Biology
BIO 509 (4) Ichthyology
BIO 510 (4) Fishery Biology
BIO 526 (3) Limnology
BIO 527 (3) Limnological Methods
BIO 531 (3) Aquatic Vascular Plants
BIO 535 (3) Aquaculture
CHM 342 (4) Survey of Organic Chemistry
CHM 513 (3) Chemistry of Natural Waters
GEL 320 (3) Rocks
GEL 370 (3) Structural Geology
GEL 402 (3) Environmental Geochemistry
GEL 440 (3) Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
GEO - all technique courses (e.g. 203, 303, 305)
PHY 130 (4) College Physics I
PHY 131 (4) College Physics II
PHY 170 (1) College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 171 (1) College Physics Laboratory II
PHY 145 (4) University Physics I
PHY 146 (4) University Physics II
PHY 175 (1) University Physics Laboratory I
PHY 176 (1) University Physics Laboratory II

* MAR designated courses are taken at the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

Total : 40 semester hours

It is strongly recommended that one semester or summer session be spent at CMU affiliate the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

Note: Students planning to pursue oceanography as a profession should concurrently select a major in their specific area of interest (e.g., geology, biology, chemistry, meteorology, geography - geographic information sciences concentration, physics, etc.).
MTH 130, 132, 133, 223, 334, and various STA and CPS offerings may be necessary for certain programs and entry into graduate school.
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Earth Science Major
B.A., B.S. degrees
Advisors: Aron, Francek, Nelson, Pape

This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.

Earth Science Major
B.S. in Ed. degree, Elementary Secondary and Secondary Special Education Emphases
Advisors: Kiefer, Matty, Nelson

This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.

Earth Science Minors

Earth Science Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A.
Advisors: Aron, Francek, Nelson, Pape

This is an interdisciplinary minor. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.

Earth Science Minor
B.S. in Ed. degree, all Emphases
Advisors: Kiefer, Matty, Nelson

This is an interdisciplinary minor. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
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Meteorology Minor
B.A., B.S., and B.A.A. Degrees
Advisors: Aron, Mower

1. Required Courses (14 hours)
ESC 201 (4) Weather OR
ESC 240 (4) Meteorology
ESC 303 (3) Synoptic Meteorology I
ESC 304 (3) Synoptic Meteorology II
ESC 340 (3) Micrometeorology
ESC 341 (1) Micrometeorology Laboratory

2. Electives (6 hours) selected in consultation and with the approval of the minor advisor.

Total: 20 Semester Hours
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The faculty: Robert H. Aron, Jorge A. Brea, Mark Francek, Wayne E. Kiefer, Bin Li, Michael J. Libbee, Amy Lobben, R. Neil Mower, Burton D. Nelson, Bruce M.C. Pape, David Patton, David Shively, Cynthia Simmons, Sally Westmoreland
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