College of Science and Technology

Department of Biology

Department of Chemistry

Department of Computer Science

Department of Geography

Department of Geology

Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology

Department of Mathematics

Department 
of Physics

Undergraduate Programs of Study

Geography (GEO) (ESC)

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

College of Science and Technology Website
Department Website

Why Study Geography?
Geography at CMU
Geography Major
Geography Major - Geographic Information Systems Concentration
Geography Major - Environmental and 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.
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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

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: 25 semester hours
   GEO 303 (3) Computer Cartography and GIS
   GEO 305 (3) Remote Sensing of the Environment
   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
   CPS 110 (3) Beginning Programming in BASIC
     OR CPS 180 (3) Principles of Computer Programming
   STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis
    
3. Electives: 1-3 hours selected in consultation with and approval of GISci advisor.

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 and Land Use Planning Concentration
Advisors: Brea, Shively, Simmons

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.

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 semester hours
   GEO 303 (3) Computer Cartography and GIS
   GEO 330 (3) Resource Perception and Utilization
   GEO 340 (3) Urban Geography
   GEO 530 (3) Land Use Planning
   GEO 531 (3) Integrated Land Use Planning
    
3. Electives: 9 semester hours
   *At least one physical course (i.e., ESC or BIO), and a course in statistics, is strongly recommended.
   GEO 305 (3) Remote Sensing of the Environment
   GEO 317 (3) Economic Geography
   GEO 320 (3) Population Geography
   GEO 500 (3) Advanced Cartography
   GEO 503 (3) Geographic Information Systems
   GEO 508 (3) Digital Remote Sensing
   GEO 512 (3) Quantitative Methods for Spatial Analysis
   *ESC 210 (3) Landforms
   OR *ESC 310 (3) Surface Hydrology
   OR *ESC 334 (3) Soil Science
   OR *BIO 334 (3) Soil Science
   BLR 521 (3) Environmental Law and Policy
   PSC 261 (3) State and Local Government
   *STA 282 (3) Introduction to Statistics
   OR *STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis

Total: 36 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:

1. 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
    
2. 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
    
3. 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
    
4. 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:

1. 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)]
2. 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)]
3. 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
B.A, B.S. degrees
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
B.A., B.S. degrees
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.
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Earth Science Major
B.S. in Ed. degree, Secondary Provisional Certification or Secondary Provisional Certification with Emotional or Cognitive Impairment Endorsement
Advisors: Kiefer, Matty, Nelson

This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
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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.
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Earth Science Minor
B.S. in Ed. degree, Secondary Provisional Certification or Secondary Provisional Certification with Emotional or Cognitive Impairment Endorsement
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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