Geography

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Geography Degree Program

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 Pathways to General Education curriculum, geography majors must also complete 45 hours in geography and related disciplines. All must take GEOG 1004, 1014, 1084, 1104, 2084, 2314, 3314 and either STAT 3604 or STAT 3615. Majors must also complete 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. Students are directed to see the department's academic advisor and consult checksheets to confirm requirement for their graduation year. The Geography major leads to the B.A. in Geography degree.

The graduation requirements in effect during the academic year of admission to Virginia Tech apply. Requirements for graduation are listed on 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.

Please visit the University Registrar's website at https://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/checksheets.html for degree requirements.

Meteorology Degree Program

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 Pathways to General Education, meteorology majors must MATH 1225 and 1226 in addition to PHYS 2205/2215 and 2206/2216 or 2305 and 2306. Meteorology majors must also complete 76 hours in geography/meteorology and related disciplines. All must take GEOG 1004, 1014, 1084, 1104, 1504, 1514, 2084, 2314, 2505, 2506, 3314, 3504 4084, 4354, and 4554. All must take MTRG 3515, 3516, 4505, and 4524. All students must also -complete MATH 1114 or 2114, 2214 and STAT 3604 or 3615. Furthermore, all students are required to complete a field experience of at least 3 credit hours from MTRG 2964, 3524, 3954, 4584, or 4994. Students must take three courses of restricted electives. Students are directed to see the department's academic advisor and consult checksheets to confirm requirements for their graduation year. The Meteorology major leads to the B.S. in Meteorology degree and provides full credentials to work for the federal government as a certified meteorologist.

The graduation requirements in effect during the academic year of admission to Virginia Tech apply. Requirements for graduation are listed on 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.

Please visit the University Registrar's website at https://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/checksheets.html for degree requirements.

Minors Offered

The following minors are offered:

• Geography Minor
• Geographic Information Science Minor
• Meteorology Minor
• Pathways to Sustainability Minor (transdisciplinary, includes courses in other departments)

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

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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. Through examination of selected regional and global issues and through exploring basic concepts like regions, place, location, human-environment interaction, movement, and accessibility, students will discover how power is spatially expressed and explore how culture shapes the production of space and vice versa. Students will also discover and describe how ethical issues manifest spatially. (3H,3C)

1014: WORLD REGIONS Human and physical patterns and characteristics of major regions of the world including political systems, religions, economies, and physical settings. Concepts and perspectives of geography as a social science; linkages and interdependence of nations and regions; analysis of media coverage of events or global issues; engagement with current and historical global affairs. (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. Ethical implications of the use of geospatial technologies, data, and computational approaches. (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 Earths 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)

1524: INTRODUCTION TO EARTH'S CLIMATE An introduction to Earths climate system, including the physical mechanisms responsible for the global climate as well as its spatial and temporal variation; composition and structure of the atmosphere, radiation budget and temperature, precipitation and hydrologic budget, atmosphere and oceanic circulation, weather systems, paleoclimate, future climate; synergistic human-climate relationships, including global warming, climate change. (3H,3C)

2004 (WATR 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 Introduction to theories and methods in the study of global political economy. Topics include: historical origins, comparative advantage, the factor endowment trade theory, the gold standard, economic nationalism, the Great Depression, the Bretton Woods System, Keynesianism, the Nixon shocks, international organizations, monetary governance, the Great Recession, poverty and underdevelopment, and contemporary challenges of income inequality within and among economies. (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)

2104: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY Environmental security concepts, issues, and terminology. Study of emerging issues at the nexus of environmental and climate change and security risks, including homeland, human, national, energy, food, and water securities. Overview of climate-driven conflicts, displacement and migration, and geopolitical instability. Policy and programmatic solutions. Assessment of case studies using methods such as strategy analysis, scenario development, and simulations. (3H,3C)

2114: INTRODUCTION TO COASTAL REGIONS Introduction to coastal geomorphology (landforms and processes), climate drivers (sea level rise and storms surge), and natural systems that shape coastal regions. Study of human systems including population growth, built environment, and social vulnerability. Overview of coastal zone management and policy. Discussion of the future of coastlines shaped by complexity, emerging challenges, uncertainty, adaptation, and resilience. (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)

2224 (IS 2224) (PSCI 2224): GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE Europe: as an idea, as a place, as a space, and as a political entity. Basic knowledge of Europe s historical physical environments, political geography, population distribution, varied cultures, and economic development. Cultural variations and their implications on settlement patterns, political divisions, and economic patterns and processes. (3H,3C)

2244 (SPIA 2244): SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION Process of urbanization and theories and approaches of urban development. Debates on the meanings of sustainable urbanization and development in cities and how they are measured. Urban sustainability initiatives in the context of urban political economies, land-use practices, urban inequality and diversity, urban nature, and urban policy and politics. Programs and policies designed to enhance sustainable urbanization. Comparative approach and global perspective. Fee $30. (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)

2784: GEOGRAPHY OF TEA Physical and human geographic overview of tea. Biogeography, history, economics, and ceremonial practices of the worlds tea producing regions. Analysis of terroir and processing through tasting exercises and sensory evaluation. Pre: Sophomore standing. (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 CIAs 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: POLAR ENVIRONMENTS Introduction to polar regions emphasizing interdisciplinary concepts, a systems approach, and communication of polar science to non-scientific audiences. Developing and defending arguments on the global significance and geopolitics of polar regions. Feedbacks among biophysical and human processes and resources. Strategies to deliver effective oral presentations, and to defend arguments in writing and group debates on topics including multiculturalism, human-environmental interactions, and climate change impacts in polar regions. Foster understanding of indigenous worldviews using native narratives. Pre: Sophomore standing. (3H,3C)

3304 (CSES 3304) (GEOS 3304): GEOMORPHOLOGY Examines the variety of landforms that exist at the earths surface. Detailed investigation of major processes operating at the earths 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. Emphasis on thematic and ethical 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 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 Examination of the physics that govern motion of Earths atmosphere. General atmospheric concepts, atmospheric principles of thermodynamics, hydrostatics, and stability. 3516: Examination of the physics that govern motion of Earths 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)

3844 (IS 3844) (PSCI 3844): EUROPEAN GEOPOLITICS Impact of Geography on European politics and economics. Significance of territorial, identity, networking and environmental geopolitics. Theoretical debates in the fields of political and population geography. Current culture and demographic challenges and geopolitical disputes within Europe and particularly between the European Union (EU) and its neighboring world regions. Pre: 2224 or IS 2224 or PSCI 2224. (3H,3C)

3954 (BSE 3954): STUDY ABROAD Variable credit course.

3984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course.

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 and 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 (GEOS 4134): INTERDISCIPLINARY ISSUES AND ETHICS IN WATER RESOURCES Analysis of issues and ethics related to water resources, water as a hazard upon human (infrastructure, economy) and ecological (rivers, groundwater) systems, water and vector borne disease, climate change, dams, and eutrophication. Development of proficiency in demonstrating the multidimensionality of water resources. Pre: Junior standing. (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)

4224: TRACKING ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE Multidisciplinary approaches to documenting and understanding past environmental change. Methods used to unravel the physical and human drivers of historical and longer-term changes in climate, vegetation, and fire patterns. Application of environmental change data and insights to improve land and conservation management under changing climates. 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 or GEOS 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. Pre: 4084, CS 1064. (3H,3L,4C)

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 or GEOS 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: 4324. (3H,3C)

4404: GEOVISUALIZATION Advanced topics in digital and dynamic map production, emphasizing concepts in advanced cartographic design, information visualization, and human-computer interaction. Topics include cartograms, computer aided design, animation, lidar and photogrammetric point cloud visualization, Web Geographic Information Systems, terrain visualization, and virtual geographic environments. Pre: 2084, 3314. (3H,3C)

4414: CLIMATE CHANGE AND SOCIETAL IMPACTS Impacts of climate change on different societies. Concepts of adaptation, vulnerability, and resilience. Notions of complexity, uncertainty, and thresholds related to climate change outcomes. Case study analysis of communities affected by climate change. Understanding future and assessing climate vulnerability across various spatiotemporal scales. Scenario planning, foresight analysis, and interactive digital tools. Pre: Sophomore standing. (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, MATH 1226. (3H,3C)

4514: TROPICAL METEOROLOGY Tropical weather and climate topics: remote sensing and observations; tropical climatology, including regional and large-scale circulations, monsoons, and the El Nino/Southern Oscillation; tropical convection, including the clouds in the subtropics, deep convection in the equatorial region, and tropical cloud clusters and thunderstorms; and tropical cyclones, including their structure, intensity, lifecycle, and formation. Pre: 2506, 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.