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.

Human geography is concerned with the spatial dimensions of human existence, the economy, politics, and culture as well as the relationshsips between humans and their environments.

Physical geographers study patterns of climate, landforms, vegetation, soils, water, and natural hazards and particularly the 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. All students are exposed to these technologies as they are integral to working in the field today regardless of specialization and topic of interest.

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, market analysis, health care analysis, cartography (map making), land and water management, recreation, and environmental conservation. Our students and graduates have worked with county, state, and federal agencies, privte firms, non-profit organizations, and international organizations. Employment opportunities are especially strong for students obtaining advanced training in geospatial computer techniques, which are used by both human and physical geographers.

Geography Major Degree Requirements

The department offers courses in human geography, physical geography, and geospatial information science. In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education), geography majors must also complete 48 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, and they must have a field experience of at least 3 credit hours from 2964, 2994, 3954, 4964, or 4994. Additionally, students must complete 18 credits of geography major courses and 3 credits from a cognate elective area. The Geography major leads to the B.A. in Geography degree.

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.

Checksheets with program requirements can be found on the Office of the University Registrar's website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for degree requirements.

Meteorology

Meteorology is a science that analyzes conditions in the atmosphere and the impacts of weather and climate on the surface of the Earth. Importantly, meteorologists use specialized training to predict and forecast weather conditions and the potential ways humans may be affected by weather and climate, and then communicate that information to decision-makers and the general public.

Our meteorology program integrates geospatial science and climate science into the meteorology core coursework, which allows our graduates to work in the exciting nexus between the atmosphere and the ground beneath it. Today's meteorologists access a wide range of careers in society ranging from forecasting and reporting for multi-media, aiding industry in assessing severe weather impacts on business infrastructure and supply chains, blogging and software development, research, and forecasting for military or federal careers. Our students and graduates have worked with the National Weather Service (Blacksburg office and others), National Severe Storms Laboratory, the Weather Channel, as on-air television meteorologists, as officers with military appointments, and with government and private agencies.eorology degree and provides full credentials to work for the federal government as certified meteorologist.

Degree Requirements

As part of fulfilling the requirements of the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education), meteorology majors must MATH 1225 and 1226 in additional to PHYS 2205/2215 and 2206/2216 or 2305 and 2306. Meteorology majors must also complete 72 hours in geography/meteorology and related disciplines. All must take GEOG 1004, 1014, 1084, 1104, 2084, either 2314 or 3314, 4084, 4354, 4554, one of STAT 2004, 3604, or 3615. Required meteorology courses are 1504, 1514, 2505, 2506, 3504, 3515, 3516, 4504, and 4524,. All students must also -complete MATH 1114 , and 2214. Furthermore, all students are required to complete a field experience of at least 3 credit hours from MTRG 2964, 3524, 3954, 4584, or 4994. The Meteorology major leads to the B.S. in Meteorology degree and provides full credentials to work for the federal government as certified meteorologist.

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". 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.

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 at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html.

Minor Offered by the Department of Geography

Geography Minor Requirements

To graduate with a minor in meteorology, a student must complete 21 hours of geography/meteorology coursework, including GEOG 1104, 1514, 2505, 2506 and 3504; plus an additional 6 hours of geography classes, of which at least 3 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 including 1084, 2084, 4084, and 4354; plus an additional 6 hours from 3314, 4314, 4324 4374, 4394, CS 1064, FOR 4114, or FOR 4214.

Sustainable Natural Environments Minor Requirements

To graduate with a minor in sustainable natural environments, a student must complete GEOG 1115, 1116, NR 4444 and 9 additional credits from a list of options. See minor checksheet for details.

Meteorology Minor Requirements>

To graduate with a minor in meteorology, a student must complete 21 hours of geography/meteorology coursework, including GEOG 1104, 1514, 2505, 2506 and 3504; plus an additional 6 hours of geography classes, of which at least 3 hours must be at the 3000-4000 levels.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions (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)

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)

1084 (FREC 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: the nature, distribution, and interrelationships of landforms, climate and vegetation. (3H,3C)

1115-1116 (NR 1115-1116): SEEKING SUSTAINABILITY
1115: Strategies to promote sustainability through the identification, description, and analysis of the dominant interconnections within and between environmental, social, and economic systems across local to global scales. 1116: Perceptions of, conditions of, and strategies to analyze processes of change within complex systems, and promote sustainability across local to global scales. (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)

1514: INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY
Introduction to the foundational properties and processes of Earth's atmosphere and the consequential forms and patterns of weather, including atmospheric composition and structure, energy, humidity, clouds and precipitation processes, atmospheric motion, air masses, fronts, and cyclones, and severe weather and hurricanes. (3H,3C)

2004 (NR 2004): WATER, ENVIRONMENT, AND SOCIETY
Introduction to the hydrologic cycle, water resources, and related environmental issues. Emphasis on ethics and relationships between human needs for and effects upon water including: water quality, water treatment, and wastewater treatment; water for health, energy, and food; water management, laws, economics, and conflict; hydrometeorological hazards and climate change; and potential solutions for these and other critical water issues. (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, conflict and conflict resolution, international law, and contemporary global issues. (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 maps. Fundamentals of reading, analysis, and interpretation of hard copy and digital maps, as they are required to illuminate spatial problems. Influences of maps on attitudes toward and images of the geographic environment. (3H,3C)

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: ITS CAPABILITIES IN TODAY'S 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 in their social, spatial, and global contexts. Impacts of globalization, neoliberalism, and population growth on the environment. Examination of effects of developed and developing countries on the environment. Focus on conceptualizing development, population dynamics, environmental justice, factory farming, energy and renewable energy, global health, disasters, and intercultural and global awareness. (3H,3C)

3224: GEOGRAPHY OF APPALACHIA
Appalachia as a region: physical environment, development of internal settlement, cultural, and economic patterns. Human adaptations to environmental change, traditions, and connections to and from external regions. Pre: 1004 or 1104 or 1014 or APS 1704 or HUM 1704. (3H,3C)

3234: GEOGRAPHY OF VIRGINIA
Virginia as a region: its physical environment, settlement, cultural, economic, and political patterns. Human adaptation to environmental change, human modification of environments and linkages to external regions. Climate, Biogeography and Water, and Environmental Hazards related to Natural Resources. Pre: 3 credit hours of Geography. (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. (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 COMMUNITIES
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
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 (GEOS 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)

4134: WATER, HAZARDS, & DEVELOPMENT
Analysis of water as a hazard upon human and natural systems in the form of hydrometeorogical events, water- and vector- borne disease, climate change, damns, and eutrophication. Development of proficiency in demonstrating the multidimensionality of water resources. (3H,3C)

4204: GEOGRAPHY OF RESOURCES
Physical and cultural systems that influence the spatial distribution of resources and resource use. Emphasis on historical and current contexts of natural resources use and perspectives in the United States, with consideration of worldwide distributions of resources. Environmental cognition and perception, water, public lands, conservation and preservation, food and hunger, human population, and alternative energy. Junior Standing. (3H,3C)

4214 (UAP 4214) (WGS 4214): GENDER, ENVIRONMENT, AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Key concepts and critiques related to the intersection of gender, environment, and international development. Development institutions and organizations with relationship to gender and environment. Theoretical and applied perspectives on eco-feminism; bio-diversity; climate change; feminist political ecology; agriculture and natural resources; participatory methods and empowerment. Case studies from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Pre: Junior Standing. (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.

4334: GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR LAND CHANGE MODELING
Analysis of the spatio-temporal patterns of Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) as observed in satellite images. Tropical deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural intensification. Rates and patterns of LULCC linked to biophysical and socio-economic drivers. Impacts of land change with respect to local climate, biodiversity, water yield and quality, and ecosystem services. Pre: 4084. (3H,3C)

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)

4444 (NR 4444): PRACTICING SUSTAINABILITY
Practicum in sustainability. Synthesize and integrate knowledge from undergraduate career and apply to real world problems of sustainability. Topics and projects selected from opportunities to examine specific local and regional sustainability issues on the VT campus, in the New River Valley and the Commonwealth at large. Pre: Senior Standing. (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
Study of the physics associated with cloud and precipitation development, the emission, absorption, and transmission of solar and terrestrial radiation, meteorological acoustics, and atmospheric electricity. Pre: 3515. (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. (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 Course Descriptions (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. Pre: GEOG 2506, GEOG 3504. (3H,3C)

3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.

4584: TOPICS IN APPLIED METEOROLOGY
Contemporary and emerging theory and praxis in meteorology. Variable topics such as operational weather forecasting situations and scenarios. Identifying common meterological problems and developing pragmatic approaches for solutions. Repeatable with different content for a maximum of six credit hours. Variable credit course. Pre: GEOG 1514.

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.