Course Descriptions

Geography

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

100 Introduction to Cultural Geography. 3 hrs. I, II.
A survey of major countries of the world in a regional context with emphasis on cultural elements that are significant to man.

101 Physical Geography. 3 hrs. I, II.
Systematic survey of earth-sun relationships, land-surface form, climate, soils, water, natural vegetation, and other natural content as a background for human geography. (CR: GEO 101L)

101L Physical Geography Lab. 1 hr.
Lab to accompany Physical Geography lecture exploring earth-sun relationships, maps, atmosphere, climate, weather, hydrologic cycle, the biosphere, soils, landforms, erosion, volcanism, and rivers. (CR: GEO 101)

110 Basic GIS. 1 hr.
Introduction to GIS concepts including GIS components, spatial and tabular data, database elements, data formats, and map design; hands-on experience with a GIS.

201 Introduction to Global Positioning Systems (GPS). 1 hr.
History and principles of GPS; use of GPS in the field; application of GPS to academic or professional fields.

203 Economic Geography. 3 hrs. I, II, S.
A Systematic examination of world economic geography with a focus on population, agriculture, transportation, land use, urbanization, industry, energy, and the environment.

206 Geography of West Virginia. 3 hrs.
Transportation, population, mining, industry, and agriculture as related to climate, soils, land forms, and other natural environmental items.

280-283 Special Topics. 1-4; 1-4; 1-4; 1-4 hrs.

301 Cartographic Principles of GIS. 3 hrs.
Introduction to cartographic principles including geodesy, map projection, coordinate systems, scale, and reference systems; interpretation of map features; hands-on use of paper maps; application of cartographic principles to GIS. Prerequisite: GEO 110 or permission.

305 Geography of North America. 3 hrs.
Natural regional divisions emphasizing major economic activities and environmental factors with chief emphasis given to the United States.

317 World Regional Geography. 3 hrs. I, II, S.
Agriculture, industry, mining and transportation studied on global basis. Physical geography introduced and regional climatic approach clarified.

320 Environmental Geography. 3 hrs. I, II.
A geographical survey of environmental changes caused by human activities. Focus is on resource availability and use; pollution of air, water, and biosphere; energy problems, and interaction of humans with plant and animal communities.

401 Historical Geography. 3 hrs.
Historical study of human settlement patterns, population diffusion, economic development, and the evolution of state boundaries with an emphasis on processes that inform upon contemporary geographic patterns.

402 Geography of Appalachia. 3 hrs.
A study of settlement, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and resource potential.

403 Geography of Asia. 3 hrs.
Special attention given activities and environment in representative continental countries and nearby islands.

404 Geography of Europe. 3 hrs.
Relationship between man’s activities and natural environment studied by countries, with attention given to inter-relation of countries.

405 Political Geography. 3 hrs.
A systematic and regional survey of world political problems and international relations stressing current geopolitical conflicts.

407 Sub-Saharan Africa. 3 hrs.
An exploration of the geography of Sub-Sahara Africa, its land and people, with a focus on contemporary issues that challenge Africans in the 21st Century.

408 Geography of South and Middle America. 3 hrs.
A study of settlement, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, geopolitics, and natural resources of South and Middle American countries.

409 Geography of North Africa and Southwest Asia. 3 hrs.
A geographical study of agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, settlement, geopolitics, and natural resources of the Middle Eastern countries.

410 Urban Geography. 3 hrs.
Study of the morphology, function, and development of cities and the urban fringe. An emphasis is place on social and environmental costs of urbanization, as well as urban and rural linkages.

411 Medical Geography. 3 hrs.
An introduction to medical geography and its applications, including epidemiology, biometeorology, disease diffusion, healthcare delivery, folk medicine, regional health variations, agromedicine, and rural health issues in Appalachia.

412 Geography of Russia. 3 hrs.
Geographical appraisal of cultural, political, and economic aspects of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

414 Methods and Techniques of Regional Planning. 3 hrs.
Introductory planning with emphasis on methods, techniques, tools and principles necessary to accomplish objective regional planning.

415 Regional Planning and Development. 3 hrs.
The philosophy, theories, and principles involved in planning of urban and rural areas. (PR: GEO 414 or permission of instructor)

416 Environmental Planning. 3 hrs.
An examination of the role the natural environment plays in urban and rural land use planning; with an emphasis on consequences of land use change, and applications of planning techniques.

417 Coal Industries Studies: Past & Present. 3 hrs.
An interdisciplinary study for all facets of the coal industry within a historic perspective. Emphasis is placed upon coal industry of West Virginia and the tri-state region.

418 Geography for Teachers. 3 hrs.
A study of elements of geography most essential for effective teaching of geographic content in professional education and the social studies.

419 Geography of Gender. 3 hrs.
Gender as an essential element in understanding geographic literature; the spatial dimensions and implications of gender and the cultural landscape.

420 Field Geography of West Virginia. 3 hrs.
Course focuses on the development of individual research projects based on data collected in the field. It fulfills the Capstone requirement for undergraduate geography majors.

421 Concepts and Methods in Geography. 3 hrs.
Survey of the history, literature, prominent individuals, and major paradigms in geography. Review of the major concepts in geography and an introduction to various methods of geographic inquiry.

425 Climatology. 3 hrs.
A study of elements of weather and climate, methods of climatic classification, and distribution and characteristics of world climate regions.

429 Fundamentals of GIS - Vector Analysis. 3 hrs.
Introduction to GIS vector analysis, beginning with the vector data model, and including buffering, overlay analysis, geocoding, and network analysis. (PR: GEO 301 or permission)

430 Intermediate GIS - Raster Analysis. 3 hrs.
GIS raster analysis, including local, neighborhood, and zonal operations, terrain analysis, building raster databases, distance modeling, and surface interpolation. (PR: GEO 301 or GEO 429 or permission)

480-483 Special Topics. 1-4; 1-4; 1-4; 1-4 hrs.

485-488 Independent Study. 1-4; 1-4; 1-4; 1-4 hrs.

490 Internship. 3 hrs.
Cooperative learning experience with regional employer/government agency.

495H-496H Reading for Honors in Geography. 4; 4 hrs. I, II.

See Honors Courses.

GRADUATE  COURSES

 501 Historical Geography. 3 hrs.
Historical study of human settlement patterns, population diffusion, economic development, and the evolution of state boundaries with an emphasis on processes that inform upon contemporary geographic patterns.

502 Geography of Appalachia. 3 hrs.
A study of settlement, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and resource potential.

503 Geography of Asia. 3 hrs.
Special attention given activities and environment in continental countries and nearby islands.

504 Geography of Europe. 3 hrs.
Relationship between human activities and natural environment studied by countries, with attention given to interrelation of countries.

505 Political Geography. 3 hrs.
A systematic and regional survey of world political problems and international relations stressing current geopolitical conflicts.

507 Geography of SubSaharan Africa
An exploration of the geography of Sub-Sahara Africa, its land and people, with a focus on contemporary issues that challenge Africans in the twenty-first century.

508 Geography of South and Middle America. 3 hrs.
A study of settlement, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, geopolitics, and natural resources of South and Middle American countries.

509 Geography of North Africa and the Middle East. 3 hrs.
A geographical study of agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, settlement, geopolitics, and natural resources of the North Africa and Southwest Asia realm.

510 Urban Geography. 3 hrs.
Study of city function, patterns, past and current problems confronting the city including planning, zoning, housing, and urban renewal.

511 Medical Geography. 3 hrs.
An introduction to medical geography and its applications, including epidemiology, biometeorology, disease diffusion, health care delivery, folk medicine, regional health variations, agromedicine, and rural health issues in Appalachia.

512 Geography of Russia. 3 hrs.
Geographical appraisal of cultural, political, and economic aspects of Russia.

514 Methods and Techniques of Regional Planning. 3 hrs.
Introductory planning with emphasis on methods, techniques, tools and principles necessary to accomplish objective regional planning.

515 Regional Planning and Development. 3 hrs.
The philosophy, theories, and principles involved in planning of urban and rural areas.

516 Environmental Land Use Planning. 3 hrs.
An examination of the role the natural environment plays in urban and rural land use planning with an emphasis on consequences of land use change and applications of planning techniques.

517 Coal Industries Studies: Past & Present. 3 hrs.
An interdisciplinary study for all facets of the coal industry within a historic perspective. Emphasis is placed upon coal industry of West Virginia and the tri-state region.

518 Geography for Teachers. 3 hrs.
A study of elements of geography most essential for effective teaching of geographic content in elementary education and the social studies.

519 Geography of Gender. 3 hrs.
Gender as an essential element in understanding geographic literature; the spatial dimensions and implications of gender and the cultural landscape.

520 Geographic Field Research. 3 hrs.
Course focuses on the development of individual research projects based on data collected in the field.

521 Concepts and Methods in Geography. 3 hrs.
Survey of the history, literature, prominent individuals, and major paradigms in geography. Review of the major concepts in geography and an introduction to various methods of geographic inquiry.

525 Climatology. 3 hrs.
A study of elements of weather and climate, methods of climatic classification, and distribution and characteristics of world climatic regions.

529 Fundamentals of GIS - Vector Analysis. 3 hrs.
Introduction to GIS vector analysis, beginning with the vector data model, and including buffering, overlay analysis, geocoding, and network analysis. (PR: GEO 301 or permission)

530 Intermediate GIS - Raster Analysis. 3 hrs.
GIS raster analysis, including local, neighborhood, and zonal operations; terrain analysis; building raster databases; distance modeling, and surface interpolation.

531 Analysis of Digital Airborne and Space-Based Imagery. 3 hrs.
Scientific study of the earth using images and data captured using satellite- or aircraft-borne sensors, with emphasis on issues of acquisition, photogrammetric interpretation, spatial analysis, and application. (PR: GEO 526 or permission)

540 Quantitative Methods in Geography. 3 hrs.
Introduction to the application of statistical methods in geographical problems. Attention given to analysis of areal data, area sampling, and spatial analysis techniques.

580-584 Special Topics. 1-4 hrs.
Selected geography subjects to cover unusual geography topics not in the regular course offerings of the department

585-588 Independent Study. 1-4 hrs.

607 Economic Geography. 3 hrs.
Topics in economic geography, including industrial location, transportation systems, economic development, international trade relationships, and globalism.

609 Geographical Research. 1-6 hrs.
Geographical research methods stressed with special attention given to the development of a viable research proposal.

610-614 World Regions. 3 hrs.
In-depth investigation of the cultural, physical, economic, and political aspects of a world region as defined by instructor expertise and interest.

617-619 Seminars in Geography. 1-3 hrs.
Selected geography subjects/topics not included in the regular course offerings of the department are considered, using a seminar approach to learning.

620 Problems in Environmental Geography. 3 hrs.
Presents elements of conservation education in the specific areas of soil, water, and human conservation.

631 Applied Geographic Information Systems Projects. 3 hrs.
Use of advanced GIS techniques to solve community-service research problems.

679 Applied Project. 1-3 hrs.

681 Thesis. 1-6 hrs.

690 Internship in Geography. 3 hrs. I, II.
Professional work experience in applied geography with an approved agency.