Geography

James B. Campbell, Head

Professors: J. B. Campbell; L. W. Carstensen; C. M. Good; L. S. Grossman; R. W. Morrill; B. C. Richardson; G. Toal

Associate Professors: S. R. Brooker-Gross

Assistant Professor: L. M. Kennedy

Instructor: J. D. Boyer

Career Advisors: L. W. Carstensen; R. W. Morrill (231-6886)

Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers examine the significance of where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with their environments. At Virginia Tech, students pursue courses in human geography (including social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions), physical geography (such as the study of landscapes and climate), and the preparation and interpretation of maps and images of the earth (using Geographic Information Systems). Students learn both qualitative and computer-based skills that are much in demand in the workplace.

Geographers describe, analyze, interpret, and forecast human and biophysical patterns at local, regional, and global scales. Their frame of reference includes the past, present, and future. Geographers study why things are where they are, when and how they got there, and the processes and forces that shape these patterns.

The bachelor's curriculum provides undergraduates with a sense of value of geography in liberal education, balanced with preparation for more advanced study and for careers that the discipline offers. While emphasis is placed upon the acquisition of a sound and flexible generalist degree, juniors and seniors are also encouraged to select an area of concentration such as urban, historical, medical, or physical geography and resource analysis, or GIS and remote sensing.

In addition to fulfilling requirements of the core curricula of the College of Arts and Sciences and of the university, a student majoring in geography must complete 36 hours in geography courses including Geog 1004, 1014 and 1104; 6 hours from Geog 3204, 3214, 3224, 3234 and 4244; 3 hours from Geog 2314 and 3314; 18 additional hours in geography, 12 of which must be 3000- and 4000-level courses. Faculty advisors assist each student in planning individual programs to meet personal educational objectives and curriculum requirements.

To graduate with a minor in geography the undergraduate student must complete 21 hours of geography including Geog 1004, 1014 and 1104; 3 hours from Geog 2314 and 3314; plus an additional 9 hours, of which at least 6 hours must be at the 3000 and 4000 levels.

University core requirements in Area 3 (Society and Human Behavior) may be fulfilled by completing 6 hours from Geog 1004 and 1014. University core requirements in Area 7 (Critical Issues in a Global Context) may be fulfilled by completing Geog 1014, 2034, 4074, or 4204. Geography 1014 contributes to fulfillment of both Area 3 and Area 7.

Satisfactory Progress

University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the University Core (see Academics chapter), toward the Arts and Sciences College Core (see beginning of this section), and toward the degree in Geography.

Satisfactory progress toward a degree in Geography requires completion of a minimum of 15 hours in Geography by the end of the academic year in which a student attempts 72nd credit hour.

Undergraduate Courses (GEOG)

1004: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Introduction to geography as a social science. Development of a conceptual framework for studying and evaluating human-environment relationships. Examination of selected regional and global issues in terms of human and physical attributes of place. (3H,3C) I,II.

1014: WORLD REGIONS

Human and physical patterns of major regions of the world. Concepts and perspectives of geography as a social science; linkages and interdependence of nations and regions. Pre: 1004. (3H,3C) I,II.

1104: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Integrated study of major subsystems of the natural environment of man: the nature, distribution, and interrelationships of climate, landforms, vegetation, hydrology, and soils. (3H,3C) I,II.

2034: GEOGRAPHY OF GLOBAL CONFLICT

Discussion of geographical dimensions of global conflicts: territorial, environmental, locational, segregational and perceptual. Explains the background to conflicts, documents the current status of conflicts and discusses the different points of view in conflict. Analysis of the Holocaust in Europe, conflicts in Middle East, Northern Ireland, and Central Europe. Topics in the course will change as the geography of global conflict changes. (3H,3C) II.

2055-2056 (IS 2055-2056-2056) (PSCI 2055-2056-2056): WORLD POLITICS & ECONOMY

Introduction to the study of world politics and political economy. Topics include balance of power, conflict resolution, interdependence, international trade and monetary management, poverty and development, as well as the role of values in world order. (3H,3C) 2055: I; 2056: II.

2124: URBAN GEOGRAPHY

Evolution of the North American city in a global context. Shifting locational patterns of urban population. Internal structure of cities, emphasizing economic and social land use patterns. Contemporary problems of North American urban areas. (3H,3C) I.

2134: GEOGRAPHY OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Geographical dimensions of the global economy since World War II. Globalization and the emergence of a new international division of labor. The relative decline of the United States and the growth of Japan, East Asia and the European Union. Changing geographies of foreign direct investment location. Places and regions in geo-economic discourse. Population and resources issues in the early twenty-first century. (3H,3C) I.

2314: MAPS & MAPPING

Introduction to mapping and its role in society. Fundamentals of map reading, analysis, and interpretation, as they are required for the solution of spatial problems. Influences of maps on attitudes toward and images of the geographic environment. (3H,3C) II.

2964: FIELD STUDY

Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY

Variable credit course.

3104: ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, POPULATION, & DEVELOPMENT

Environmental problems considered in their social, spatial, and global contexts. Impacts of globalization, political economy, population, culture, and poverty on environmental crises. Examination of effects of relations between developed and developing countries on the environment. Focus on selected key environmental issues, such as population growth, pesticide misuse, the development process and the environment, the energy crisis, and environmental justice. (3H,3C)

3114 (GEOL 3114): INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY

A nonmathematical introduction to meterorology including consideration of the structure of the atmosphere, energy balance in the atmosphere, clouds and precipitation, air masses and fronts, global ciculation, storms, climatology, masses and fronts, global circulation, storme, climatology, catastriphic weather, meteriological optics, and forecasting. (2H,3L,3C)

3204: GEOGRAPHY OF MIDDLE AMERICA

Assessment of human-environment interactions in the region from earliest human habitation to the present. Includes Pre-Columbian ecological adaptations; change introduced by European conquest and colonization; revolution and land reform; and contemporary geographic case studies. 3 hours of Geography required. (3H,3C) II.

3214: GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT

Survey of African habitats, cultures, livelihood systems, and socioeconomic development mainly south of the Sahara. Human adjustments to changing environmental, demographic, economic, and political conditions during the colonial and post-colonial eras. 3 hrs in Geography required. (3H,3C) II.

3224: GEOGRAPHY OF APPALACHIA

Appalachia as a region: physical environment, development of internal settlement, cultural, economic, and political patterns. Human adaptations to environmental change and linkages to external regions. 3 hrs in Geography required. (3H,3C) II.

3234: GEOGRAPHY OF VIRGINIA

Virginia as a region: physical environment, development of settlement, cultural, economic, and political patterns. Human adaptation to environmental change, human modification of environments, and linkages to external regions. 3 hours in Geography required. Writing-intensive course. (3H,3C) I.

3304 (CSES 3304) (GEOL 3304): GEOMORPHOLOGY

Examines the variety of landforms that exist at the earth's surface. Detailed investigation of major processes operating at the earth's surface including: tectonic, weathering, fluvial, coastal, eolian, and glacial processes. Field excursion. Pre: 1104 or GEOL 1004 or GEOL 2104. (3H,3C)

3314: CARTOGRAPHY

Science and art of cartography including the conceptual framework of the cartographic method. Development of the skills necessary to create maps to be used in the analysis of spatial phenomena for geographic research. Emphasis on thematic cartography. (2H,3L,3C) I.

3464 (EDHL 3464) (HUM 3464) (NE 3464) (SOC 3464) (UAP 3464): APPALACHIAN COMMUNITIES

The concept of community in Appalachia using a multidisciplinary approach and experiential learning. Interrelationships among geographically, culturally, and socially constituted communities, public policy, and human development. 2000-level course in any cross-listing department required. (2H,3L,3C) II.

3954: STUDY ABROAD

Variable credit course.

4074: MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY

Geographic patterns of disease and health care at various scales. Ecological, holistic approach to health problems emphasizes interrelationships of population-habitat-culture. Mapping of disease patterns and health services delivery and utilization. Field experience included. 3 hours of Geography required. (3H,3C) I.

4084 (GEOL 4084): INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Use of automated systems for geographic data collection, digitization, storage, display and analysis. Basic data flow in GIS applications. Overview of GIS applications. Group homework projects to develop proficiency in the use of current GIS software. (3H,3C)

4124: SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF URBAN PLACES

Relationships between systems of cities and the city-as-a-system. Spatial location of job-providing organizations at the national and local scale. The social geography of the city, and space-time relationships between economical and social activities. Comparisons by city type and location. Pre: 2124. (3H,3C) II.

4204: GEOGRAPHY OF RESOURCES

Environmental problems of Industrialized and Third World. Human impact on the environment, population-resource relationships, the relationship between resources and economic development, food production and the problem of world hunger, and energy-related issues. (3H,3C) I.

4244: GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE

Overview of the physical geography, places, and peoples of Europe, past and present. Evolving cultural landscapes of Europe. Colonial linkages to other regions. Economic globalization and uneven development in the European Union. Comparative intracontinental regional case studies. One GEOG course at 2000 level or above, or consent. (3H,3C) II.

4314: SPATIAL ANALYSIS IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Theory and application of Geographic Information Systems, with special emphasis on analytical operations, database design, cartographic modeling, and raster GIS. Spatial data handling and analysis to facilitate decision-making through the communication of geographically referenced data. Pre: 4084. (2H,3L,3C)

4324: ALGORITHMS IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Computational methods in automated mapping and map analysis. Visual Basic programming and algorithm design for spatial display and analysis under both raster and vector data models. Requires regular use of the departmental microcomputer workstation laboratory. Variable credit course. Pre: 4084, CS 1044.

4354 (GEOL 4354): INTRODUCTION TO REMOTE SENSING

Theory and methods of remote sensing. Practical exercises in interpretation of aerial photography, satellite, radar, and thermal infrared imagery. Digital analysis, image classification, and evaluation. Applications in earth sciences, hydrology, plant sciences, and land use studies. (2H,3L,3C)

4384: THE ARC/INFO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

Use of the Arc/Info software system for basic data tasks such as data base development, digitization, storage, display and analysis under the UNIX operating system. Individual application projects will be developed throughout the semester in consultation with the instructor. Pre: 4314 or 4324. (1H,6L,3C) I.

4764 (SOC 4764) (UAP 4764): INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY & PLANNING

Examination of major development theories and contemporary issues and characteristics of low-income societies (industrialization, urbanization, migration, rural poverty, hunger, foreign trade, and debt) that establish contexts for development planning and policy-making. Junior standing required. (3H,3C) I.

4834 (CSES 4834): SOIL CHARACTERIZATION & INTERPRETATION

Soil characteristics that influence land use and environmental quality evaluated by methods specified by the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program. Influence of spatial soil variability on soil-interpretation accuracy. Interpretive-class criteria for agricultural and urban land uses appraised. Pre: CSES 3114. (1H,6L,3C) II.

4844 (CSES 4844) (ENSC 4844): SOIL INTERPRETATION USING GIS AND DSS

Use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software to compile digital maps, imagery, and natural resource data. Digital data will be downloaded from the Internet and verified in the field with GPS units. Decision support systems (DSS) will be used to produce interpretative maps from digital soil data. A hypothesis, proposal, and GIS project will be created and project results presented in class. Attendance required on daylong field trips to GIS application sites. Pre: CSES 4124 and either GEOG 4084, BSE 4344, or CEE 4204. (2H,3L,3C) II.

4964: FIELD STUDY

Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY

Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

Variable credit course.

Please see the Graduate Catalog for graduate course listings.