Jeffrey A. Gritzner,
Chairman
Geography aims to provide a broad ranging perspective on humans as
inhabitants and transformers of the face of the earth. The search
for this understanding involves thorough study of the physical earth,
its habitation by humans, and the resulting diversity of regions and
places. Geographers study the physical earth by examining the interlocking
systems of the natural environment, including climate, landforms,
soils, and biota. Humans are studied by examining those diverse historical,
cultural, social, economic, and political structures and processes
which affect the location and spatial organization of population groups
and their activities. Regions and places, whether described as nations,
cities, ecological units, or landscapes, are studied by integrating
and interpreting their physical and human relationships in an effort
to better understand them and the problems they face.
Geographers are often found working in business, industry, government,
planning, and teaching. Their tasks may range from determining the
optimal location for a new supermarket to doing the biophysical and
socioeconomic studies required for urban and regional planning. Geographers
trained in cartography may find professional opportunities in the
various aspects of making and communicating with maps.
The Department of Geography maintains particular strengths in each
of four major branches within the discipline: 1) human geography--cultural,
economic, migration studies, human-environmental interaction, and
towns and rural settlement; 2) physical geography--landform analysis,
biogeography, paleoecology, and global-environmental change; 3) regional
geography--China, the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, Africa,
and the North American West; 4) geographical concepts, methods, and
techniques--map and aerial photograph interpretation, cartography
and GIS, field techniques, quantitative methods, and historical geography.
These groupings correspond more or less to the geography courses listed
in this catalog.
The Department of Geography offers the Bachelor of Arts and Master
of Arts degrees in geography. Options in cartography; physical geography;
and rural, town, and regional planning are available. Also offered
are a minor in geography, and a teaching major and minor in geography.
The bachelor degree program provides a broad liberal education; it
qualifies graduates for a variety of professional jobs; and it prepares
students who excel for graduate studies in geography, cartography,
planning, or related fields. The Master of Arts program prepares the
candidates for a somewhat greater range of employment, including teaching
in community and junior colleges, and for doctoral studies in geography
and allied disciplines. In addition to a general degree in geography
without option, students may elect one of two options within the Master
of Arts program--cartography and GIS or rural, town, and regional
planning. See the graduate catalog for more information concerning
the M.A. program.
Special Degree Requirements back
to top
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog.
See index.
Requirements in Geography
A minimum of 37 credits in geography (maximum 60), including the following:
Course |
Credits
|
101S
Introduction to Human Geography |
3
|
102N Introduction
to Physical Geography |
3
|
104
Introduction to Maps and Air Photographs |
3
|
105 Map
and Air Photo Laboratory |
1
|
385 Field
Techniques |
3
|
386 Quantitative
Techniques in Geography |
3
|
387 Principles
of Digital Cartography |
3
|
388 Digital
Cartography Laboratory |
1
|
One regional
geography course numbered 200 or above |
3
|
Two upper
division human geography courses and one
upper-division physical geography course, or the reverse |
9
|
Electives
in geography |
5-28
|
Total |
37-60
|
With the approval
of the student's advisor, other courses deemed relevant may be accepted
as part of the requirements in geography. Geography majors may not
take geography courses on a pass/not pass basis after having chosen
geography as their major, except for those courses offered only upon
that basis. The student may pursue the cartography option; the physical
geography option; or the rural, town, and regional planning option
described below or pursue the degree without an option.
The Upper-division Writing Expectation must be met by successfully
completing an upper-division writing course from the approved list
in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog. See
index.
Cartography Option
In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a degree in
geography, the student desiring to achieve an option in cartography
must complete GEOG 482, 488 and 486; CS 101 and 203, 204, 205 or 487;
and MATH 150. In addition, twelve credits are to be selected from
the following electives: ASTR 131N, 132N, 134N, 135N; GEOG 330N, 587,
588, 589 and 586; FOR 351, 452, 503, 504 and 551; and GEOL 100N and
105N. These requirements are designed to satisfy qualifications for
cartography positions with various governmental agencies.
Physical Geography Option
In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a degree in
geography, a student must complete, at minimum, the following: six
credits of introductory physical geography (GEOG 102N, 112N, or equivalents),
nine credits of upper-division physical geography (excluding non-classroom-oriented
courses such as cooperative education, independent study, and research)
and three credits of undergraduate thesis devoted to a theme in physical
geography, GEOG 499. In addition, a student must complete a two-course
sequence in mathematics (either MATH 152 and 153 or MATH 444 and 445
(or equivalents), and two two-course sequences in science--either
chemistry (CHEM 151N and 152N or equivalents), or physics (PHYS 121N
and 122N or equivalents), or biology (BIOL 120N and 121N or equivalents).
Rural, Town and Regional Planning Option
In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a degree in
geography, the student desiring to achieve the option in rural, town
and regional planning must complete Geog 421S, 479, 482, 486, 488;
PHIL 427E; and SOC 340. An additional three credits chosen from the
following: GEOG 446N, 586, 587, 588, or 589 also must be taken.
Advisor
Every geography major will be assigned a geography faculty member
to act as advisor. The student must meet with this advisor every semester
to design a program and monitor progress. All proposals for course
substitutions and program alterations must be submitted to the advisor.
The student's application for graduation must be approved and initialed
by the advisor before being reviewed and signed by the chairman.
Teacher Preparation in Geography back
to top
Major Teaching Field of Geography: For an endorsement in the
major teaching field of geography, a student must complete the requirements
for the B.A. degree with a major in geography (an option is not required)
including GEOG 103S (or 481) and 259S. Students also must complete
C&I 428, gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching
and meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher
(see the School of Education section of this catalog).
The demand in Montana schools for teachers trained in geography is
increasing.
Minor Teaching Field of Geography: For an endorsement in the
minor teaching field of geography, a student must complete GEOG 101S,
102N, 103S (or 481), 259S, and six elective credits in geography.
Students also must complete one upper division human geography course
or upper division physical geography course and C&I 428, gain
admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching, and meet the
requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School
of Education section of this catalog).
Suggested Course of Study back
to top
This suggested course of study should be used as a guide only. Students
should consult with their advisors for individual course planning.
First
Year |
A
|
S
|
+GEOG
101S Introduction to Human Geography |
3
|
-
|
+GEOG
102N Introduction to Physical Geography |
-
|
3
|
GEOG 103S
World Regional Geography |
-
|
3
|
+MATH
course above 100 |
3
|
3
|
+ENEX
101 Composition |
3
|
-
|
+General
Education |
6
|
6
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Second
Year |
|
|
+GEOG
104 Introduction to Maps and Air Photographs |
3
|
-
|
+GEOG
105 Map and Air Photo Laboratory |
1
|
-
|
+Regional
geography course 200 level or above |
-
|
3
|
CS 101
Introduction to Programming |
-
|
3
|
+*CS 131
Fundamentals of Computer Science I |
3
|
-
|
Electives
and General Education |
8
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Third
Year |
|
|
+GEOG
385 Field Techniques |
3
|
-
|
GEOG 386
Quantitative Techniques in Geography |
-
|
3
|
+GEOG
387 Principles of Digital Cartography |
3
|
-
|
GEOG 388
Digital Cartography Laboratory |
1
|
-
|
GEOG 486
Cartography/GIS Laboratory |
-
|
1
|
GEOG 488
Thematic Cartography and GIS |
-
|
3
|
+Upper
division human or physical geography course |
3
|
-
|
*CS
204 C Programming (or other higher level computing language) |
3
|
-
|
+General
Education |
2
|
-
|
Electives |
-
|
8
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Fourth Year |
|
|
+GEOG
496 Independent Study |
3
|
-
|
Upper
division human geography course |
-
|
3
|
Upper
division physical geography course |
3
|
-
|
Electives |
9
|
12
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
+Offered autumn and spring
semesters.
*A course sequence in a foreign language may be substituted.
Requirements
for a Minor
To earn a minor in Geography the student must complete a minimum of
18 credits including: GEOG 101S and 102N; two courses from GEOG 104,
385, 386 and 387; and one upper division human or physical geography
course.
Courses back
to top
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate
credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the
course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the
R.
U 101S Introduction to Human Geography 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Introduction to human geography: population, culture,
settlement, land uses and spatial interaction.
U 102N Introduction to Physical Geography: Weather, Climate and
Vegetation 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., MATH 100
or above, or appropriate score on math placement exam. Introduction
to major natural environmental systems: weather, climate, vegetation:
their components, classification, spatial distributions, interrelationships,
and formation.
U 103S World Regional Geography 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
An overall view of how the lands and peoples of the world are organized
into coherent geographical regions, how landscapes differ from region
to region, and how the people differ in terms of their traits, beliefs,
ways of life, and economic livelihood.
U 104 Introduction to Maps and Air Photographs 3 cr. Offered
autumn. Prereq., MATH 100 or above, or appropriate score on math placement
exam. Introduction to the concepts and techniques needed to understand
and analyze the information contained in maps, aerial photographs,
and other graphics.
U 105 Map and Air Photo Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.
or coreq., GEOG 104. Determination of spatial variables from maps/air
photos using cartographic and photogrammetric aids. Involves introductory
techniques of data acquisition.
U 112N Landforms, Water, and Soils 3 cr. Offered spring. Introduction
to selected terrestrial environmental systems, their components, and
formation.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 281 Geography for Teachers 3 cr. Offered autumn. Geographical
concepts, methods, and subject material needed for teaching geography
effectively at the elementary or secondary level.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 12) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
Human Geography
UG 305S Cultural Geography 3 cr. Offered spring. A survey of historical
and contemporary cultural environmental patterns. Emphasis is upon
the emergence and distribution of cultural adaptations, the human
use of natural resources, and the creation and transformation of cultural
landscapes.
UG 315S The Economic Geography of Rural Areas 3 cr. Offered
intermittently. Prereq., upper-division or graduate standing. Study
of the location of economic activities: agriculture, industry and
services. Focus on the changing nature of rural areas.
U 320 Mountains and Society 3 cr. Offered autumn odd-numbered
years. Mountain-society interactions through geographic analysis.
Overview of mountain environments in the world and introduction to
mountain-related problems including poverty, water pollution, deforestation,
recreation impacts, and development.
UG 405 Food and Famine 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years.
Exploration of the production, distribution, and consumption of food;
the causes and consequences of hunger; and measures that might be
taken to relieve hunger.
UG 410 Migration and Population Change 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., senior standing or graduate standing or consent of instr.
Focus on internal migration and population change in the U.S., in
particular in the Mountain West. Review of migration theories and
empirical research; development of practical skills for conducting
empirical research related to migration and population change.
UG 421S Towns and Rural Settlement 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
GEOG 101S. The spatial, functional, and locational attributes of regional
centers and towns in the context of the patterns of rural settlement.
UG 425 The Human Role in Environmental Change 3 cr. Offered
spring even-numbered years. Prereq., upper division or graduate standing
or consent of instr. Same as EVST 425. A systematic examination of
the ways in which the major physical systems and ecosystems of the
earth have been modified by human activity.
G 510 Advanced Human Geography 3 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Advanced topics in economic geography,
urban geography, cultural geography, population and migration, settlement,
and historical geography. Topic titles will appear in the class schedule.
G 588 GIS in Human Geography 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Applications of GIS in human geography. Concentration
on the topology and structures of data in vector format. Vector to
raster conversions. Mapping and map analysis methods which concern
census data, the TIGER Files, city and county data bases, county surveyors
maps, and others.
Physical Geography back
to top
UG 330N Meteorology 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq.,
GEOG 102N or consent of instr. Origin, composition, structure, and
dynamics of the atmosphere, gas and radiation laws, energy budget
and balance, weather elements and North American weather systems.
UG 340 Landform Geomorphology 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., GEOG 112N or equiv. Important landforms and landscapes, their
biophysical processes, and their formative elements.
UG 443 Soil Geomorphology 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered
years. Prereq., GEOG 112N, FOR 210 or consent of instr. Morphology
and classification of soils and their relationships to landforms and
geomorphic processes.
UG 446N Biogeography 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOG 102N
or equiv. Changing patterns of plant and animal distributions in space
and time. Combination of historical and ecological approaches to biological
species and communities. Study of external causes of plant and animal
migration, especially climatic change and human impacts.
G 530 Advanced Physical Geography 3 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Advanced topics in landform analysis, biogeography,
the geography of soils, water resources, etc. Topic titles will appear
in the class schedule.
G 587 GIS in Physical Geography 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Analysis of physical landscape by means of spatial
and statistical techniques drawn from raster based geographic information
systems.
Regional Geography
U 202S South Asia/Land and People 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Same as AS 202S. The physical setting of South Asia, its history,
culture, and socio-economic organization. Examines regional differences,
changing social patterns, and the relationship between people and
the environment.
U 213S Southwest Asian Culture and Civilization 3 cr. Offered
intermittently. Same as AS and LS 213S. A survey of the biophysical
and cultural geography of Southwest Asia and North Africa. Emphasis
on environmental change, cultural-historical development, socio-economic
diversity, and the broader political significance of the region.
U 214S Central Asian Culture and Civilization 3 cr. Offered
autumn. Same as AS, HIST, LS 214S. Introduction to Central Asia's
history, culture and ways of thinking. Focus on the political and
social organization of Central Asia and cultural changes as expressed
in art and interactions with China, India and the Middle East.
U 259S Montana 3 cr. Offered spring. The spatial integration
and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits which
give to Montana its geographical personality.
U 277S Africa 3 cr. Offered autumn. A survey of the biophysical
and cultural geography of Sub Saharan Africa. Emphasis is on the region's
cultural historical development and current ecological, demographic,
and economic patterns.
U 350 North America 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years.
A spatial examination of the physical, cultural, historical and economic
elements of Canada, United States, northern Mexico and adjacent regions.
Emphasis is on the cultural, social and historical changes, spatial
patterns and spatial organization that shape the geographic identity
of the area.
UG 351 Geography of a Selected Region 3 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Selected regions will be listed as appropriate in each class schedule.
UG 366S China 3 cr. Offered autumn. The spatial integration
and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits of China.
UG 451 Advanced Regional Geography 3 cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. In-depth treatment of a geographic region,
a particular regional problem, or the methodology of regional geography.
Topics vary.
UG 461 Regionalism and the Rocky Mountain West 3 cr. Offered
spring. Same as Hist 461. Investigation of regionalism as a concept
and its future in the Rocky Mountain West. Regionalism as a geographical,
economic, political, and cultural entity.
Geographical Thought, Methodology, and Techniques
back to top
U 335 Water Resources: Western U.S. 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered
years. Exploration of water resources issues facing the public, resource
managers, and water users in the western United States today. Examination
of concepts, terms, and regulatory environment which provide the foundation
for modern water management in the West.
UG 376 Historical Geography 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Geography
of past periods with the aim of understanding geographical patterns
and processes, both past and present.
UG 385 Field Techniques 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., MATH
117 and twelve credits in geography or consent of instr. Field techniques
used by geographers and planners in making field observations and
in collecting data.
UG 386 Quantitative Techniques in Geography 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., MATH 117 and twelve credits in geography or consent of instr.
Quantitative analysis of spatial data; measurements of aggregation
and concentration; description of areal distributions; techniques
of regionalization; computerized data analysis.
U 387 Principles of Digital Cartography 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., GEOG 104 or consent of instr. Concepts, principles,
and methods of cartography as applied to computerized mapping and
geographical information systems. Topics include scale, coordinate
systems, projections, digital map topology, data acquisition, geocoding,
compilation, typography, and design. Computer mapping exercises.
U 388 Digital Cartography Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn and
spring. Prereq., GEOG 104 or equiv. Coreq., GEOG 387. Laboratory to
accompany GEOG 387.
UG 479 Rural, Town and Regional Planning 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., GEOG 101S or consent of instr. Land planning principles,
practices and problems in small towns and rural environments.
UG 481 Workshop in Teaching Geography 3 cr. Offered summer.
Prereq., consent of instr. Modern concepts and techniques in geography
with emphasis on their use in teaching geography in Montana schools.
Students are required to prepare and present a teaching unit project.
UG 482 Community and Regional Analysis 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., GEOG 386 or consent of instr. Project-oriented analysis of
the structure and dynamics of communities and regions (e.g., counties).
Use of software and mathematical and statistical models to examine
population, employment, spatial interaction, and transportation patterns.
Designed for applied geographers, regional planners, and others interested
in understanding community structure and community change.
UG 486 Cartography/GIS Laboratory 1 cr. (R-3) Offered intermittently.
Lab to accompany GEOG 487, 488 or 489.
UG 487 Image GIS 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq.,
GEOG 104, 105, 386 and 387 or consent of instr. Procedures for processing
and analyzing digital satellite and air photo images for thematic
mapping by means of a raster Geographical Information System. Focus
mainly placed on biophysical spatial distributions.
UG 488 Thematic Cartography and GIS 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
GEOG 387 or consent of instr. Communicating and analyzing topical
information with maps. Theories of map symbolism, generalization,
compilation and design. Choropleth maps, dot maps, proportional figure
maps, isarithmic maps, and others. Includes computer mapping and GIS
exercises.
UG 489 Digital Map Production and Design 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., GEOG 387 or equiv. Coreq., GEOG 486. Advanced compilation,
design, production and actual printing of maps using digital techniques.
Topics include principles of map and graphic design, elements of composition,
spot and four-color process printing, vector and raster digital file
manipulation, and use of GIS data in map production.
U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R 15) Offered intermittently. Prereq.,
consent of instr. University omnibus option for independent work.
See index.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Specialized aspects of geography. Topics
vary.
UG 496 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 9) Offered every term.
Prereq., consent of instr. Independent study in any subfield of geography.
U 498 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 9) Offered
every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom experience
which provides practical application of classroom learning during
placements within governmental agencies or the business community.
U 499 Undergraduate Thesis 3 cr. (R-6) Offered autumn and spring.
Prereq., senior standing or consent of instr. Independent research
project in any geographic topic supervised by faculty member, and
leading to completion of baccalaureate degree.
G 500 Geography Graduate Colloquium 1 cr. (R-3) Offered autumn.
Prereq., consent of instr. Graded pass/not pass only. Enrollment required
every semester graduate students are in residence. Presentation of
faculty and student research interests. Guest lecturers.
G 505 Research Methods 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent
of instr. Methods of research appropriate for geography including
research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
Preparation of a thesis proposal.
G 550 Seminar in Geography 3 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Seminar topics in human geography, physical
geography, regional geography, or geographical techniques.
G 561 Land Use Planning Law 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same as EVST
561 and LAW 687. Basic overview of the law of land use planning including
background in the traditional governmental regulatory, proprietary,
and fiscal land use tools. Examination of modern techniques for land
use planning; consideration of constitutional limits of authority
of state and local governments. Focus on skills in interpreting, drafting,
and applying state legislation and local ordinances.
G 562 Land Use Planning Clinic 2 cr. Offered every term. Prereq.
or coreq., GEOG 561. Same as EVST 562. Students assist local communities
in long-range planning efforts and development of growth management
plans as required by Montana law; ordinance drafting, development
proposals, and land use issues.
G 577 Seminar in Geographical Thought 3 cr. Offered autumn.
Geographical ideas, concepts, approaches, and techniques from ancient
to modern times.
G 579 Seminar in Rural, Town and Regional Planning 3 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., GEOG 479 or consent of instr. A critical analysis
of land planning theories, concepts and current practices with a focus
on local, regional, and state planning problems.
G 582 Planning Design 3 cr. Offered odd-numbered years. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Analysis of land-use problems and design.
G 586 Cartography/GIS Laboratory 1 cr. (R-4) Offered autumn
and spring. Coreq., GEOG 587, 588 or 589 or consent of instr. Laboratory
to accompany GEOG 587, 588 or 589.
G 587 GIS in Physical Geography 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered
years. Prereq., GEOG 487 and 340 or GEOG 446 or consent of instr.
Student GIS projects stressing the analysis of selected physical landscapes
in Montana
G 589 Seminar in GIS and Cartography 3 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Seminar topics in cartography and geographic
information systems. Applications to advanced studies in human and
physical geography.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors,
experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current
topics.
G 596 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 9) Offered every term.
Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research in geography or planning.
G 598 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 9) Offered
every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom experience
which provides practical application of classroom learning during
placements off campus.
G 699 Thesis Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Prereq.,
consent of advisor.
Faculty back
to top
Professors
John M. Crowley, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1964 (Emeritus)
Evan Denney, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1970 (Emeritus)
John J. Donahue, Jr., Ph.D., Syracuse University, 1971 (Emeritus)
Chris Field, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1966 (Emeritus)
Jeffrey A. Gritzner, Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1986 (Chairman)
Darshan S. Kang, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1975 (Emeritus)
Paul B. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1972
Associate Professors
H. W. Bockemuehl, Ph.D., Massey University, 1973 (Emeritus)
Christiane von Reichert, Ph.D., University of Idaho, 1992
Assistant Professors
Eric G. Edlund, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1996
Sarah J. Halvorson, Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder, 2000