Geography and the Environment

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

GEV 1004 : Climate Change

Spatial patterns of global and regional climate systems. Natural and anthropogenic factors that cause climate change. Understanding human-climate system interaction.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 1005 : Geospatial Analysis & Society

Use of geospatial technologies to analyze, solve, and understand modern social and environmental issues involving population, development, and urbanization trends around the world.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 1050 : Environmental Science I

Multidisciplinary foundation in Environmental Science; first of two semester course. Science course linking environmental biology, chemistry, earth sciences, and climate change. Collection of data from lab experiments and field-based observations.

Credits

Credits 4

GEV 1051 : Environmental Science II

Second of two course sequence. Multidisciplinary foundation in Environmental Science: natural resources, pollution, & energy, with related field trips & laboratory sessions.

Credits

Credits 4

Prerequisites

ENV 1050 :D- or GEV 1050 :D-

GEV 1052 : Environmental Studies

Free elective course to provide Advanced Placement credit for Environmental Science. Pre-requisite: Score of 4 or 5 on AP Environmental Science Test.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 1750 : Geo-Techniques

Principles and applications of geographic technologies and field techniques with emphasis on: field surveys, cartography, global positioning systems, aerial photography, satellite imagery & remote sensing, computer-aided cartography, digital elevation models & geographic information systems.

Credits

Credits 4

GEV 2310 : Environmental Chemistry

Interdisciplinary approach to chemical and biochemical phenomena. Sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in the air, soil, and water environments, and their effect on human activity.

Credits

Credits 4

Prerequisites

GEV 1050 and (CHM 1151 or CHM 1131) and CHM 1103

GEV 2500 : Global Change in Local Places

Geographic research methods to address spatial implications of current local issues. Relationships between global environmental & societal processes & local landscapes. Collection, evaluation, analysis & presentation of qualitative & quantitative geographic data.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 2525 : Population Geography

Geographic dimensions of global population trends, emphasizing global demographic divides. Considers population processes (mortality, fertility, migration), population structures (age, gender, ethnicity), and population policy. Special topics may include population and the environment, food supply, and HIV-AIDS.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 2893 : Independent Study

Independent study under the direction of faculty member of selected topics in geography, environmental studies, and environmental science. Instructor Permission Required

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3000 : Special Topics

Contemporary topics in Geography and Environmental Science. Topics will be announced on a semester-by-semester basis. Specific information will be available on the department's web page.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3001 : Intro to Sustainability Study

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Social, engineering, and economic dimensions, which make up the sustainability model.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3002 : Ecosystem Services

Four major categories of ecosystem services: provisioning services, regulating services, cultural, and supporting services.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3004 : Geographies Envrnl Justice

Patterns of environmental inequality that affect health and quality of life. Relationship between environmental harms and benefits and different groups in society. Case studies explore fundamental aspects of environmental justice.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3300 : Stats. in Environmental Sci.

Statistical methods and application. An introduction to statistical concepts, techniques, and applications to data analysis and to problems in the design, analysis, and interpretation of experiments in the environmental sciences.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3301 : Fisheries

Current practices and the environmental, political and social implications of this global industry.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3302 : Agricultural Science

Environmental implications of agriculture, incl. a scientific analysis of soil, pesticides, fertilizer, and biodiversity.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3303 : Soil Science

Soil, soil properties, and biota in various ecosystems with a focus on human impacts to soil mesocosm.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3305 : Energy Systems

Assessment of current methods for supplying energy, incl. fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3306 : Alternative Engery

Analysis of emerging and established alternative energies, incl. wind, solar, biofuel, and hydropower.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3308 : Environmental Health

Health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to control of the major environmental health problems in industrialized and developing countries.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3309 : Coral Reefs

Overview of the science, policy, and management issues for coral reef ecosystems in a changing world.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3500 : Geography of North America

Physical and human geography of North America from a regional perspective. Key geographic concepts of site, situation, and the interaction between society and the environment for each region.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3501 : Geomorphic Environments

Landform processes and development. Geomorphic processes, dynamics, and equilibrium systems. Data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation of landform development models.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3503 : Earth's Weather Systems

Sciences of the atmosphere: meteorology and climatology. Atmospheric composition and structure, clouds, precipitation atmospheric motion and winds, organized weather systems, air masses, fronts, tropical storms, and severe weather.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3515 : Geography of Africa

Major geographic problems facing contemporary Africa, with a special emphasis on spatial planning within a number of national contexts.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3522 : Geography of the Middle East

Survey of the region's geography including its physical geography, environmental issues, urban-economic development, cultural geograpy, historical evolution, and the spatial patterns of its human landscapes. Special emphasis placed on its strategic importance in a globalizing world and understanding the historical background to current geopolitical conflicts.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3550 : Natural Hazards

Processes determining physical risk, societal vulnerability, and response to major hazards including: blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, flooding, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, avalanches, and wildfires.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3570 : Land Use Planning & Mgmt

Land use planning and management with focus on land-law interfaces between the physical, cultural, and legal realms. Survey of natural and political systems as the basis for land use controls at the federal and regional levels. The environmental, economic, and ethical impacts of land management.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3580 : Natural Res and Conservation

Assessment of natural resource and conservation issues in the U.S. and around the world. Distribution and use patterns of air, water, mineral, energy, and biologic resources. Examination of exploitation, conservation, and preservation management strategies.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3750 : Remote Sensing

Data collection and analysis with high-technology platforms such as conventional and color infrared photography, multi- spectral scanners, satellite imagery, thermal infrared, LIDAR, and radar. Application of remotely sensed data to solve complex, human, environmental, and engineering problems.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 3760 : Geospatial Appl in Env Sci

Application of geospatial techniques to solve a variety of environmentally related issues such as: watershed contamination, coastal erosion, natural hazard impacts, deforestation, urban sprawl, and climate change.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

GEV 4700

GEV 3790 : Global Positioning Systems

Principles, techniques, and applications of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Laboratory employs data collection, mapping, and analyses with state-of-the-art GPS equipment and software.

Credits

Credits 4

Prerequisites

GEV 1750

GEV 4001 : Advanced Sustainability Study

Second in a two-course sequence. An in-depth exploration of the social, engineering, and economic dimensions of sustainability through field trips, guest lectures, and service learning.

Credits

Credits 4

Prerequisites

GEV 3001

GEV 4300 : Selected Topics

Selected topics of interest in environmental science and geography. Offered on three or four Saturday mornings or on weekday evenings. Topics will be announced on a semester-by-semester basis.

Credits

Credits 1

GEV 4301 : Topics in Env and Geo Sci

Selected topics of interest in the environmental and geospatial sciences. Offered on three or four Saturday mornings or on weekday evenings. Topics will be announced on a semester by semester basis.

Credits

Credits 1

GEV 4302 : Topics in Env Pol & Mgmt

Selected topics of interest in environmental policy and management. Offered on three or four Saturday mornings or on weekday evenings. Topics will be announced on a semester-by-semester basis.

Credits

Credits 1

GEV 4310 : Environmental Issues Seminar

Interdisciplinary coverage of current global environmental issues, emphasizing their complexity, analyses, and solutions.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

GEV 1050 and GEV 1051

GEV 4320 : Spec. Topics in Env Lab Sci

Advanced laboratory science topics in the Environment presented by senior faculty. Specific subject matter will vary with the expertise of the professor.

Credits

Credits 4

GEV 4325 : Environmental Ecology

Principles of ecology and their implications for analyzing environmental problems. Understanding processes controlling the dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems.

Credits

Credits 4

Prerequisites

GEV 1050 and GEV 1051

GEV 4327 : Process Geomorphology

Processes that shape landforms. Major components of geomorphology, including fluvial, glacial, periglacial, aeolian, slope, and weathering process.

Credits

Credits 4

Prerequisites

GEV 1050 and GEV 1051

GEV 4328 : Climatology

Approaches to understand and identify recent and long-term climate behavior in different parts of the world. Basic meteorological factors that influence climate. General climate classification schemes, theories of climate cycles and climate change.

Credits

Credits 4

Prerequisites

GEV 1050 and GEV 1051

GEV 4330 : Spec Topics in Environm Policy

Advanced topics in environmental policy and management presented by senior and visiting faculty. Specific subject matter will vary with the expertise of the visiting professor or senior faculty member conducting the course. Course may be taken under multiple titles.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4336 : Environmental Economics

Application of economic principles to study environmental issues, such as evaluating the monetary value of ecosystems, the effectiveness of environmental policies, and comparing costs and benefits of different policy options. Contemporary environmental economic topics are explored.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4340 : Spec Topics in Environm Issues

Advanced topics in environmental social science and humanities presented by senior and visiting faculty. Specific subject matter will vary with the expertise of the visiting professor or senior faculty member conducting the course.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4350 : Spec Topics in Environm Sci

Advanced topics in environmental science presented by senior and visiting faculty. Specific subject matter will vary with the expertise of the visiting professor or senior faculty member conducting the course. Course may be taken under multiple titles.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4353 : Green Science

Application of eco-friendly thinking to scientific disciplines. Scientific solutions to global warming, pollution and other impacts on nature and the planet.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4354 : Biomimicry

Design and production of materials, structures, and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4361 : Field Research

Design and conduct environmental research during a 1-2 week field trip to various locations; Lectures will incl. natural history, ecology, and geology of the location.

Credits

Credits 4

Prerequisites

GEV 1050 and GEV 1051

GEV 4510 : Special Topics in Geography

Advanced topics in Geography presented by senior and visiting faculty. Specific subject matter will vary with the expertise of the visiting professor or senior faculty member conducting the course. Course may be taken under multiple titles.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4511 : Climate Variability

Seasonal, interannual, and decadal variations in climate variables. Atmospheric circulation patterns, teleconnections, and their impacts on the environment and society.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

GEV 1003

GEV 4512 : Medical Geography

Spatial patterns and epidemiology of disease. Characteristics of epidemics and pandemics from a geographic perspective. Case studies, spatial/statistical analyses, and transmission processes.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4513 : Geography of National Security

Geography of the national security landscape and the nexus of geography and conflict. Modern trends in national security, historical case studies, and geospatial analysis.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4514 : Geomorphology

Processes that shape the natural landscape. Descriptive and quantitative techniques to examine balance between tectonic activity and subsequent modification of landforms by weathering, erosion and deposition.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4515 : Terrestrial Ecosystems

Spatial distribution of species, biomes, and ecosystems at local, regional, and global scales. Ecological and historical processes responsible for geographic patterns of biodiversity

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

GEV 1003 or GEV 1050

GEV 4516 : Environmental Security

Broad range of security issues triggered by demographic and environmental factors such as competition for resources, population growth/displacement, disease, natural disasters, environmental change, and non-sustainable practices.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4517 : Sustainable Development

Environmental, economic, and justice issues facing developing countries. Historical review of post-colonial experiences and the impact of modern global economic and environmental changes on the political, economic, and demographic experiences of Latin America, Africa, and southern Asia.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 4518 : COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview of the COVID-19 pandemic including issues around global health, disease diffusion, health disparities, vulnerable populations, social determinants of disease, and economic and political implications.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 6005 : Senior Research Seminar

Scheduled group meetings with other research students in the department, focusing on general and specific aspects of the senior research project/thesis. Requires permission of instructor.

Credits

Credits 1

Corequisites

GEV 6006 : Research Colloquium

Presentations by speakers including faculty, students, and guests from the academic, public, and private sectors. Lectures feature new creative and scholarly work that emcompasses the disciplines and areas of interest of the department.

GEV 6210 : Senior Thesis Research I

Research with faculty member selected by student. Part 1 of two-semester sequence. Continues as Thesis Research II, which culminates in a written thesis. Requires permission of the faculty mentor.

Credits

Credits 3

GEV 6220 : Senior Thesis Research II

Second phase of senior thesis sequence. Research with faculty mentor selected by student. Culminates in a written senior thesis. Requires permission of the faculty mentor.

Credits

Credits 3

MSE 2500 : GEV: Env. Sustainability

Challenges and complexities involved in achieving a sustainable society. Interdisciplinary approach to investigating impacts of a growing human population on energy requirements, waste management, and natural resource use.

Credits

Credits 4

MSE 2501 : GEV: Our Warming Planet

Climate change, past and future climate, impacts of climate change on the natural world and human society, and adaptation strategies. Laboratory work focused on applying the scientific method to understanding causes and consequences of climate change.

Credits

Credits 4

MSE 2502 : GEV: Climate, Env., & Society

Science of meteorology, climatology, and how variations in climate affect periodic ecological cycles. Focus on connections between them and overall trends in environmental change. Laboratory work focused on applying the scientific method to climate and environmental variations.

Credits

Credits 4

MSE 2504 : GEV: Beaches and Coasts

Half of the world's population lives within the coastal zone. Yet, our use of this environment is occurring in tandem with environmental change. Laboratories will emphasize field techniques and include visits to local coastal sites, requiring four weekend field trips.

Credits

Credits 4

MSE 2505 : GEV: Wetlands

Wetlands improve the environment in ways society is only beginning to understand. Today, scientists realize their importance in providing vital habitat. Examination of how they affect our daily lives, their value to society, and current regulations.

Credits

Credits 4

MSE 2506 : GEV:Energy Extraction from Env

Extraction and use of fossil fuels is linked to global economics and to multiple environmental issues. Newly developed techniques such as hydro-fracking have recently allowed for the production of natural gas from shale deposits in the U.S. Focus on the science behind natural gas extraction from Marcellus Shale, and potential benefits and risks of this techonology for the environment and society.

Credits

Credits 4

MSE 2507 : GEV:Environmental Pollution

Scientific principles, concepts, measurements, and case studies with a focus on the science of environmental pollution (air, water, and land). Global climate change, environmental sustainability, environmental justice, and environmental policies.

Credits

Credits 4