College of Natural Resources and Environment

Geography

Overview

Geography offers a unique perspective on many of today’s most important issues--from globalization, international development, and culture change to environmental problems, population growth, and climate change. Its theories and methods provide analytical techniques applicable to a wide range of questions significant to a broad spectrum of occupations. The geography major provides a balance between an education focusing on contemporary social, political, economic, and environmental issues and training in advanced computer-based techniques.

The department offers courses in human geography, physical geography, and geospatial information science.

Human geography is concerned with the spatial dimensions of human existence, the economy, politics, and culture; the significance of where people and their activities are located; how the movement of people, resources, and ideas creates links between rural and urban areas and between different regions of the world; the relationships between peoples and their environments; patterns of resource use; how differences and inequalities revealed in spatial patterns affect the quality of life; and how the processes of globalization are transforming regions, countries, and localities.

Physical geographers study patterns of climate, landforms, vegetation, soils, water, and natural hazards and especially the factors and processes that produce those patterns, including human-environment interactions.

Geospatial science involves Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), web services, and remote sensing. These technologies have led to significant advances in the ways in which geographic information is collected, mapped, analyzed, and integrated in database and decision-making systems. The Department of Geography has excellent technical facilities, including a Geographic Information Systems lab, a remote sensing lab, and a biogeography lab.

Training in geography provides valuable, marketable skills that are in high demand in business, government, and education. Geography majors obtain employment in such diverse fields as geographic information systems, satellite imagery analysis, planning, transportation, marketing, health care, map making, land and water management, recreation, environmental conservation, and teaching. Employment opportunities are especially strong for students obtaining advanced training in geospatial computer techniques, which are used by both human and physical geographers. Undergraduates in the department have the opportunity to work with local and county agencies while using their geospatial skills to enhance their education and employment prospects.

In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education) and the core curricula of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, geography majors must also complete 39 hours in geography and related disciplines. All must take GEOG 1004, 1014, 1084, 1104, 2084, 2314, 3314 and one of STAT 2004, 3604, or 3615. Further all students are required to complete a field experience of at least 3 credit hours from 2964, 2994, 3954, 4964, or 4994.  The Geography major leads to the B.A. in Geography degree.

Degree Requirements

The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as “Checksheets”. The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.

The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.

Please visit the University Registrar website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/index.html for degree requirements.

Minor Requirements

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

Geographic Information Science Minor Requirements

To graduate with a minor in Geospatial information Science, students in Geography or Meteorology majors must take an additional 12 hours of upper divisional classes in Geospatial Information Science from 4314, 4324, 4374, and 4394, CS 1064, FOR 4114 or FOR 4214.

Students in any major may take this minor by taking 18 hours of Geospatial Information Science coursework from 1084, 2084, 3314, 4084, 4314, 4324, 4354, 4374, 4394, CS 1064, FOR 4114, or FPR 4214.

Meteorology

The department offers a B.S. in meteorology as well as a meteorology minor. More information is available at http://geography.vt.edu/programs/Meteorology.htm. Checksheets with program requirements can be found on the Office of the University Registrar's website.

Satisfactory Progress

To make satisfactory progress towards the geography degree, upon completion of 60 hours, students must have completed 15 hours in geography. Upon completing 90 hours, students must have an in-major GPA of 2.0 or more. Courses for in-major GPA computation include all GEOG courses and SPIA 2004.

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. (3H,3C) I,II.

1084 (FOR 1004): DIGITAL PLANET
Exploration of innovative geospatial technologies and their impact on the world around us, including how humans interact with the environment and each other. Roles of location-based services, global positioning systems, geographic information systems, remote sensing, virtual globes and web based mapping for environmental applications. Skills and techniques for spatial thinking and environmental decision-making. (3H,3C)

1104: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Integrated study of major subsystems of the natural environment of humans: the nature, distribution, and interrelationships of climate, landforms, vegetation, hydrology, and soils. (3H,3C) I,II.

1115-1116 (NR 1115-1116): SEEKING SUSTAINABILITY
Definition of, conditions of, and strategies for achieving sustainability. 1115: History, current conditions, and trends of sustainability from ecological, economic, and social perspectives. 1116: Detailed conditions and trends, tools for constructing sustainability, integrative project application. (3H,3C)

1504: SURVEY OF METEOROLOGY
An introductory look into the world of meteorology, including the role of forecasters, broadcast meteorologists, current research, and the prediction and response to significant storm events. (1H,1C)

2004 (NR 2004): INTRODUCTION TO WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Introduction to the hydrologic cycle, water resources, and related environmental issues. Emphasis on relationships between human needs for and effects upon water including: factor influencing water quality, droughts, and floods; water for health, energy, and food; water laws, allocation, and conflict; water resources and climate change; and potential solutions for these and other critical water issues. Pre: Sophomore-level standing. (3H,3C)

2034 (IS 2034) (PSCI 2034): GEOGRAPHY OF GLOBAL CONFLICT
Geographical dimensions of global conflicts, international 'management' of conflicts, conflicts of differences, historical, ideological, failed states and resources will be examined. Background to conflicts, current status of conflicts, different points of view in conflict. Topics in the course will change as the geography of global conflict changes. (3H,3C)

2054 (IS 2054) (PSCI 2054): INTRODUCTION TO WORLD POLITICS
An introduction to the prevalent methods and theories in the study of world politics. Topics include: historical context of contemporary world politics, global actors and power relations, international conflict and conflict resolution, international systems, interdependence, trade and integration, international law and prospects for global governance. (3H,3C)

2064 (IS 2064) (PSCI 2064): THE GLOBAL ECONOMY AND WORLD POLITICS
An introduction to the interaction of politics and economics, power and wealth, within the world political economy. Topics include: the international financial system, the dynamics and principles of trade, and the role of transnational firms, as well as issues of environmental protection, sustainable development, and the distribution of wealth and power. (3H,3C)

2084: PRINCIPLES OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Principles and diverse applications of Geographic Information Systems, geographic coordinate systems, Cartesian map projections, spatial data sources, GIS databases, map representations, and illustrated spatial applications of GIS. Requires regular use of computer systems for geographic data analysis. (3H,3C)

2134 (IS 2134) (PSCI 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)

2214: GEOGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA
Regional study of Anglo-American with consideration of relationships between natural environments and social, political, and economic developments. International issues involving Mexico also considered. (3H,3C)

2314: MAPS AND 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.

2505,2506: WEATHER ANALYSIS I
Introduction to the operational tools and processes in weather forecasting. Surface data and upper-air sounding analysis, forces producing and directing wind flow, jetstreams, weather chart analysis, and atmospheric moisture including clouds and precipitation. (3H,3C)

2964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

2994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

3034 (IS 3034) (PSCI 3034): THE CIA: IT'S CAPABILITIES IN TODAYS GEO-POLITICAL WORLD
Role of the discipline of geography in the origins, procedures, and history of CIA. Role of the CIA in providing national intelligence at both strategic and operational levels. Origins and changes to the CIA since WWII. Capabilities to support both policy-makers and national security entities. Case studies illustrating the CIA's operations in different regions of the world. (3H,3C)

3104: ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, POPULATION, AND 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 (GEOS 3114): INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY
A nonmathematical introduction to meteorology including
 consideration of the structure of the atmosphere, energy balance in the atmosphere, clouds and precipitation, air masses and fronts, global circulation, storms, climatology, catastrophic weather, meteorological optics, and forecasting. (2H,3L,3C)

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)

3244: THE U.S. CITY
The economic, political, and social forces driving urbanization in the United States. The American city in historical context with particular emphasis on the rise of manufacturing, deindustrialization, and suburbanization. Case studies from the manufacturing and sunbelt regions to illuminate key constructs from urban and human geography. "Border" examples of comparative urbanization from the U.S.-Mexican border, the Caribbean, and Canada. Junior standing required. (3H,3C)

3254: GEOGRAPHY OF EAST ASIA
A geographical analysis of several modern states in East Asia, specifically China, Japan and the Koreas. Economic, political, and cultural change since the end of World War II. Globalization and the emergence of the China as a demographic and economic giant. (3H,3C)

3274: GEORGRAPHY OF SUBARCTIC AND ARCTIC ENVIRONMENTS
Study of circumboreal arctic and subarctic environments from a holistic perspective, with emphasis on cultural, historical, geopolitical, and physical aspects of the North. Importance of arctic and subarctic regions in the global arena. Climate, geomorphology and community change. (3H,3C)

3304 (CSES 3304) (GEOS 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 GEOS 1004 or GEOS 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. I (2H,3L,3C)

3404: MOUNTAIN GEOGRAPHY
Physical characteristics of mountains, such as steep slopes, climatic extremes, and sharp environmental gradients, and their influences on the ways in which people, animals, and plants interact. Physical processes that operate in high-relief environments, including consideration of climate, geomorphology and biogeography. Influence of physical processes in mountain environments on human culture and activities. Cultural significance of mountains. Mountains as a resource. Land use and human-land interactions in mountains. Course is intended for students with an interest in what makes mountains unique and inspiring landscape elements. Pre: 1104. (3H,3C)

3464 (AHRM 3464) (APS 3464) (HD 3464) (HUM 3464) (SOC 3464) (UAP 3464): APPALACHIAN C
OMMUNITIES
The concept of community in Appalachia using an interdisciplinary approach and experiential learning. Interrelationships among geographically, culturally, and socially constituted communities, public policy, and human development. Pre: Junior standing. (3H,3C)

3504: SEVERE WEATHER
An introduction into mesoscale environments favoring the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, the analysis of moisture, instability and shear parameters associated with severe weather events. Thunderstorm life-cycles, analysis of thermodynamic diagrams, role of wind shear and associated convective mode, hail production and forecasting, tornadogenesis and research. Pre: 2505. (3H,3C)

3515: DYNAMIC METEOROLOGY
3515: Examination of the physics that govern motion of Earth's atmosphere. General atmospheric concepts, atmospheric principles of thermodynamics, hydrostatics, and stability. 3516: Examination of the physics that govern motion of Earth's atmosphere. Principles of fluid dynamics, specifically the physics governing horizontal motion, corresponding vertical motions, and synoptic scale systems, as represented in various coordinate systems. Pre: 2506, MATH 2214, (PHYS 2206, PHYS 2216 or PHYS 2306). (3H,3C)

3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.

4044 (BIOL 4044): BIOGEOGRAPHY
A survey of the field of biogeography. A study of the factors influencing the distribution of plants and animals approached from ecological, historical, and cultural perspectives. Human influence on biotic patterns, such as crop domestication, habitat alteration, species introductions and extinctions, management issues, and environmental change, is a primary focus. Pre: 1104 or BIOL 2804. (3H,3C)

4054: GEOGRAPHY OF WINE
Analysis of physical and cultural forces that shape the production, consumption, and great variety of wine in the world. Wine as a complex commodity is examined through its economic, social, political, and ideological impacts in different parts of the world throughout history. Particular emphasis will be focused on place as an agent in defining the product. (3H,3C)

4074: MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY
Geographic patterns of disease and health care at various scales. Study of interactions between the physical environment and health. Analysis of spatial patterns associated with HIV/AIDS epidemic. Examination of health implications of social and cultural variation in developed a developing contexts. Pre: Junior Standing. (3H,3C)

4084: MODELING WITH GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Use of automated systems for geographic data collection, digitization, storage, display, modeling and analysis. Basic data flow in GIS modeling applications. Development of proficiency in the use of current GIS software. Senior Standing. Pre: 2084. (1H,6L,3C)

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)

4214 (UAP 4214) (WGS 4214): WOMEN, ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Explores intersecting roles of gender, culture, and socio-economic status in people's use of nature, management of environmental resources, and experiences of environmental change. Examines debates on environmental and development initiatives, environmental ethics, and environmental social movements from feminist perspectives. Pre: UAP 3344 or UAP 3354. (3H,3C)

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: ALGOTRITHMS 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 and UNIX workstation laboratory. Variable credit course. Pre: 4084, CS 1044.

4354 (GEOS 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)

4374: REMOTE SENSING AND PHENOLOGY
Analysis of spatial and temporal patterns of the vegetated land surface as observed by satellite images. Application of satellite image time series to derivation of land surface phenology, and analysis of the appearance and development of phenology in the USA and worldwide. Methods of monitoring of phenology with satellite imagery. Causes of spatio-temporal changes of phenological events. Effects of global climate change. Pre: 4354. (3H,3C)

4394: INTRODUCTION TO WEB MAPPING
Application of web mapping technologies to geographic data collection, storage, analysis, and display. History and context, spatial data infrastructures, hardware and software architectures, open geospatial consortium standards, mapping APIs, virtual globes, user-centric design, web cartography. Group and individual projects. Pre: 2314 or 3314 or 4084. (3H,3C)

4504: SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY
Examination of large-scale (1000-5000km) weather systems using both analytical and operational analysis. Topics include thermal structure of atmosphere & resulting circulation, frontal analysis, lifting mechanisms, barotropic/baroclinic systems, and mid-latitude cyclones. Weather pattern influences of the jetstreams and oscillation of large pressure systems including El Nino/La Nina and the North Atlantic Oscillation. Pre: 3504. (3H,3C)

4524: PHYSICAL METEOROLOGY
A study of the physical processes in the atmosphere, including radiation, energy budgets, temperature and pressure variations, optics, electrical phenomena, cloud physics and precipitation formation. Pre: 3516. (3H,3C)

4554: REMOTE SENSING OF ATMOSPHERE
Remote sensing technologies used in monitoring weather. Evaluation of Doppler radar products, including base reflectivity, base velocity, storm-relative velocity, and vertically integrated liquid imagery. Could observation through infrared and visible satellite imagery; remote weather station design, set-up and data retrieval. Pre: 4354. (1H,1C)

4764 (SOC 4764) (UAP 4764): INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND 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. I (3H,3C)

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.

Undergraduate Courses (MTRG)

2964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

3524: METEOROLOGY FIELD METHODS
A field methods course in meteorology. On-location observation and analysis of temperature, wind fields, pressure, and dewpoint. In-field experiences with radar and satellite data, numerical model output and portable weather stations. On-location sites and corresponding curriculum may include severe storm analysis in the Great Plains, mountain weather in the White Mountains (NH) or Rocky Mountains (CO), and costal storms along the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico coastlines. May be repeated for credit, with permission and different content, for a maximum of 9 hours. (3H,3C)

3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.

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.

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