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
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:
First Year |
Credits |
101S Introduction to Human Geography |
|
102N Introduction to Physical Geography |
|
104 Introduction to Maps and Air Photographs |
|
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
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
This suggested course of study should be used as a guide only.
Students should consult with their advisors for individual course
planning.
First Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
+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
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.
Geography (GEOG)
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
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
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 2-3 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
Professors
Jeffrey A. Gritzner, Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1986 (Chairman)
Paul B. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1972
Associate Professor
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
Emeritus Professors
John M. Crowley, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1964
Evan Denney, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1970
John J. Donahue, Jr., Ph.D., Syracuse University, 1971
Chris Field, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1966
Darshan S. Kang, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1975
Emeritus Associate Professor
H. W. Bockemuehl, Ph.D., Massey University, 1973