Course Descriptions Spring 2011 Course Fliers
101. Physical Geography. (3)
World geography; physical elements. Use of maps and globes for a systematic analysis of world climates, vegetation, soils and landforms and their distribution, interrelation and significance to human.
102. Human Geography. (3)
World geography; human elements. A systematic analysis of world population, demographic factors, ethnic groups, predominant economies and political units and their distribution, interrelation and interaction with the physical earth.
105L. Physical Geography Laboratory. (1)
Exercises designed to complement 101. Applied problems in the spatial processes of the physical environment. Map construction and reading, weather and climatic analysis, classification of vegetative and soil associations, landform distribution analysis. Pre- or corequisite: 101. Two hours lab.
140. World Regional Geography. (3)
The regional geography of the world. Both physical and human aspects are studied along with current economic and political problems.
195. Survey of Environmental Issues. (3)
Survey of environmental issues related to the degradation of land, air and water resources.
251. Meteorology. (3)
(Also offered as EPS 251.) Description of weather phenomena, principles of atmospheric motion, weather map analysis and weather prediction.
281L. Computer Mapping. (4)
Examination of the spatial framework of geographical analysis and mapping tools used in the spatial sciences. Introduction to spatial methodology and concepts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing and Image Processing (RS/ IP) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Fees required. Two hours lab.
302. Regional Geography. (3 to a maximum of 6)
Geography of a selected region of the globe with focii on the national, economic, and social environments that are reflected in settlement systems. Includes analyses of current environmental and cultural issues.
350. Physical Landscapes. (3)
This course examines the biophysical processes that produce distinctive landscapes in polar, temperate, tropical, and alpine environments, by analyzing interactions between climate, vegetation, soils, landforms, geology, and human activities.
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 and GEOG 105L.
352. Global Climate Change. (3)
(Also offered as EPS 352.) Comparison of natural and anthropogenic causes of large-scale climate change. Factors influencing development of mitigation of adaptation policies.
360. Land and Resource Management. (3)
Spatial organization of political processes. Exercise of legal and political power over land and other resources. Resolution of conflicts between competing government units.
363. Economic Geography. (3)
A systematic analysis of spatial economic patterns. Introduction to models of economic space and theories of spatial economic interaction. Analysis of effects of resource attributes and distributions upon economic activities. Examination of cultural-economic regions.
365. Nature and Society (3)
This course explores the human dimensions of geographical challenges through the traditions, actions and social organization of contemporary western and global/international human systems.
**381L. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. (4)
The study of spatial data, spatial processes and an introduction to the computer tools necessary to analyze spatial representations of the real world. Exercises in data acquisition, preprocessing, map analysis and map output. Fees required. Three hours lecture, 2 hours lab.
*445. Geography of New Mexico and the Southwest (3)
This course introduces the geography of the Southwest, focusing on New Mexico. Students will conduct independent research in conjunction with a multi-day field trip.
461./561. Environmental Management. (3)
Examination of critical issues of environmental degradation in global and local system related to: air and water pollution, soil erosion, deforestation, strip mining, over dependence on fossil fuels and improper management of toxic and other wastes. Appraisal of the conservation methods and policies applied to these issues and the outlook for the future.
462./562. Water Resources Management. (3)
An examination of the problems and trends in the use of water resources in the United States, with emphasis on the physical and social aspects related to its management.
463./563. Public Land Management. (3)
Defining public and private rights associated with managing natural resources is the key to many of the current controversies concerning the environment. This course looks at public land policy and policy related to other common property resources such as water, the oceans, and the coastal zone.
464/564. Food and Natural Resources (3)
Students gain an advanced introduction to the social and environmental effects of individual food choices, through the analysis of the sociocultural and biophysical relationships embedded in various agricultural and food production systems.
471. Applied Geography Seminar. (3)
Applications of environmental analysis and geographic information technologies to a selected geographic problem. Field trips required. Recommended during the last semester for majors. Prerequisite: 470.
480L./580L. Quantitative Methods in Geography. (3)
Introduces fundamental statistical and quantitative modeling techniques widely used in geography. Emphasizes geographic examples and spatial problems. Includes a lab component that covers the use of statistical software in geographic analysis. Fee required.
482L./582L. Positioning Systems. (3)
Introduces a range of poisoning techniques, including surveying, Global Positioning Systems and others and their real-world utilization in a range of applications. Includes a lab component that covers the use of various types of equipment, software and applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
483L./583L. Remote Sensing Fundamentals. (3)
Introduces the concepts of remote sensing of the Earth, sensors and photographic systems used, and the basic processing and analysis required to bring the imagery into a Geographic Information Systems environment. Includes a lab component that covers the range of analytical techniques available in current software. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
484L./584L. Applications of Remote Sensing. (3)
Explores the utilization of remote sensing imagery through advanced processing and analysis. Covers the integration of imagery into specific research areas, including biological, geological, urban and hydrological analysis. Includes a lab component that covers the range of analytical techniques available in current software. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 483L or GEOG 583L.
485L./585L. Internet Mapping. (3)
Current and emerging approaches to internet mapping, including geospatial interoperability standards, technologies, and capabilities. Includes a lab component that covers the use of various types of software and applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
486L./586L. Applications of GIS. (3)
Selected applications of Geographic Information Systems, including anthropology, business, crime, ecology, engineering, health, planning, water resources and others. Covers analytical techniques specific to selected applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
487L./587L. Spatial Analysis and Modeling. (3)
Spatial analysis and modeling techniques using Geographic Information Systems. Includes a lab component that covers the use of GIS and other software to carry out analysis projects. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
488L./588L. GIS Concepts and Techniques. (3)
Selected advanced concepts and techniques in Geographic Information Systems. Includes a lab component that provides students with the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques in a hands-on manner. Fee required.
Prerequisite : GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
491./591. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 3)
Supervised individual study and field work.
493./593.-494./594. Internship in Applied Geography. (1 to a maximum of 3, 1 to a maximum of 3)
Written field analysis of a project coordinated between student, faculty and public or private manager. Credits to be determined by supervising faculty.
*499. Topics in Geography. (1-3 to a maximum of 6)
Specific topics in geography which relate contemporary issues to the discipline. Topics will be noted in the appropriate schedule of classes. Credit can be applied by majors to the appropriate department group requirements for the degree.
501. Geographic History and Methods. [Research Methods Seminar.] (3)
Examines, evaluates, and criticizes the methods geographers have used to analyze the reciprocal relationship between humankind and the environment.
502. Approaches to Geographical Research (3)
This seminar examines recent scholarship on human-environment interaction, focusing on both theory and method. Students are required to complete a literature review and thesis proposal.
514. Natural Resources Management Seminar (3 to a maximum of 6)
This course explores the interdisciplinary nature of natural resource challenges. Topics will vary each semester. Field trips will be included to investigate issues relevant to the class.
515. Cultural and Political Ecology (3)
This seminar examines case studies and recent geographical scholarship in cultural and political ecology, focusing on its relevance for resource managers and institutions.
525. Seminar in Geographic Information Science. (3)
Examination of current trends in Geographic Information Science, including technical, social, institutional and legal issues.
561./461. Environmental Management. (3)
Examination of critical issues of environmental degradation in global and local system related to: air and water pollution, soil erosion, deforestation, strip mining, over dependence on fossil fuels and improper management of toxic and other wastes. Appraisal of the conservation methods and policies applied to these issues and the outlook for the future.
562./462. Water Resources Management. (3)
An examination of the problems and trends in the use of water resources in the United States, with emphasis on the physical and social aspects related to its management.
563./463. Public Land Management. (3)
Defining public and private rights associated with managing natural resources is the key to many of the current controversies concerning the environment. This course looks at public land policy and policy related to other common property resources such as water, the oceans, and the coastal zone.
564/464. Food and Natural Resources (3)
Students gain an advanced introduction to the social and environmental effects of individual food choices, through the analysis of the sociocultural and biophysical relationships embedded in various agricultural and food production systems.
580L./480L. Quantitative Methods in Geography. (3)
Introduces fundamental statistical and quantitative modeling techniques widely used in geography. Emphasizes geographic examples and spatial problems. Includes a lab component that covers the use of statistical software in geographic analysis. Fee required.
581L. Fundamentals of GIS. (3)
Introduces the concepts underlying Geographic Information Systems and its utilization for the input, storage, manipulation, query, display, and analysis of geographical data. Includes a lab component that covers the range of analytical techniques available in current software. Fee required.
582L./482L. Positioning Systems. (3)
Introduces a range of poisoning techniques, including surveying, Global Positioning Systems and others and their real-world utilization in a range of applications. Includes a lab component that covers the use of various types of equipment, software and applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
583L./483L. Remote Sensing Fundamentals. (3)
Introduces the concepts of remote sensing of the Earth, sensors and photographic systems used, and the basic processing and analysis required to bring the imagery into a Geographic Information Systems environment. Includes a lab component that covers the range of analytical techniques available in current software. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
584L./484L. Applications of Remote Sensing. (3)
Explores the utilization of remote sensing imagery through advanced processing and analysis. Covers the integration of imagery into specific research areas, including biological, geological, urban and hydrological analysis. Includes a lab component that covers the range of analytical techniques available in current software. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 483L or GEOG 583L.
585L./485L. Internet Mapping. (3)
Current and emerging approaches to internet mapping, including geospatial interoperability standards, technologies, and capabilities. Includes a lab component that covers the use of various types of software and applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
586L./486L. Applications of GIS. (3)
Selected applications of Geographic Information Systems, including anthropology, business, crime, ecology, engineering, health, planning, water resources and others. Covers analytical techniques specific to selected applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
587L./487L. Spatial Analysis and Modeling. (3)
Spatial analysis and modeling techniques using Geographic Information Systems. Includes a lab component that covers the use of GIS and other software to carry out analysis projects. Fee required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 381L or GEOG 581L.
593./493.-594./494. Internship in Applied Geography. (1 to a maximum of 3, 1 to a maximum of 3)
Written field analysis of a project coordinated between student, faculty and public or private manager. Credits to be determined by supervising faculty.
599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.