UM Catalog - Department of Geography

Department of Geography

Page 80-83
Paul B. Wilson, Chairman

Geography is the study of what places are like as a result of the combination and spatial arrangement of things within and around them. It is the study of the arrangement of things in space in somewhat the same sense that history is the study of the sequence of events in time. Thus, geography is more a point of view than it is a body of facts.

Geographers work in business, industry, government, planning and teaching. The tasks of geographers range from determining the optimal location for a new supermarket to doing the biophysical and socioeconomic studies required for urban and regional planning.

The branches of geography, which correspond more or less to the geography courses listed in this catalog, tend to fall into these groupings: () human geography_cultural, economic and urban; (2) physical geography_climatology, hydrogeography, geomorphology and biogeography; (3) regional geography_studies of regions or territories, such as East Asia, Pacific Northwest and Montana; (4) geographic concepts, methods, and techniques_historical geography, map and air photo interpretation, cartography, quantitative spatial analysis, field techniques and geographic research methods.

The Department of Geography offers the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in geography, and a teaching major and minor in geography. The Department is also the home of a multi-disciplinary Master of Science in Rural, Town, and Regional Planning. The bachelor degree program provides a broad liberal education, qualifies graduates for a variety of professional jobs, and prepares the better students for graduate studies in geography, 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 or allied disciplines. The Master of Science degree prepares the candidate for employment in planning and related fields, focusing upon smaller communities and sparsely populated rural areas with only small cities, such as Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and the Dakotas. See the graduate catalog for more information on the M.A. and M.S. degrees.

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 45), including the following:

101S_Introduction to HumanGeography
102N_Introduction to PhysicalGeography
104_Introduction to Maps and Air Photos
105-Map and Air Photo Laboratory
385_Field Techniques
386_Spatial Analysis
387_Principles of Cartography
One regional geography course numbered 200 or above
Two upper-division human geography courses and one upper-division physical geography course, or the reverse
Electives in geography

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 the pass/not pass system after having chosen geography as their major, except for those courses offered only on this basis. The student may pursue the cartography emphasis described below or take the degree without emphasis.

Cartography Emphasis

In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a degree in geography, the student desiring to achieve an emphasis in cartography must complete Geog 388, 487, 488; For 252, 351, 450; and twelve credits selected from the following electives: Astr 131N, 132N, 134N, 135N; For 352, 451, 452, 503, 504; and Geog 330N and 587. Also required are CS 203 or 204 and Math 150. These requirements are designed to satisfy the Cartography Series, GS-1370 qualifications for cartographer positions with the Federal Government.

Advisor

Every geography major is required to obtain the consent of a geography faculty member to act as advisor. The student must meet with this advisor periodically 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 including Geog 103S, 259S and 281(or 481). 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 high schools for teaching of courses in this field is limited. A student should complete the required second endorsement (major or minor) in a field other than Drama, Economics, Journalism, Psychology or Sociology.

Minor Teaching Field of Geography: For an endorsement in the minor teaching field of Geography, a student must complete Geog 101S, 102N, 103S, 259S, 281 (or 481) and three 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

First Year

Geog 101S_Introduction to Human Geography
Geog 102N_Introduction to Physical Geography
Geog 103S_World Regional Geography
Two-course sequence in mathematics
*Enex 101_Composition
Electives and General Education

*Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's last name.

Second Year

Geog 104_Introduction to Maps and Air Photos
Geog 105-Map and Air Photo Lab
Regional geography course_ 200 level or above
**CS 131_Fundamentals of Computer Science I
**CS 132_Fundamentals of Computer Science II
Second course in writing
Electives and General Education

Third Year

Geog 385_Field Techniques
Geog 387_Principles of Cartography
Upper-division human or physical geography course
**CS 204_C Programming (or other higher-level computing language)
Third course in writing, 300 level or above
Electives and General Education

Fourth Year

Geog 386_Spatial Analysis
Geog 488_Computer Cartography
Geog 496_Independent Study
Upper-division human geography course
Upper-division physical geography course
Electives and General Education

**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.

U 101S Introduction to Human Geography 3 cr. Introduction to human geography: population, culture, settlement, land uses and spatial interaction.

U 102N Introduction to Physical Geography 3 cr. Prereq., Math 100 or above, or appropriate score on math placement exam. Introduction to major natural environmental systems: weather, climate, water, vegetation and soils.

U 103S World Regional Geography 3 cr. An overall view of how the lands and peoples of the world are organized into coherent geographic 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. 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. Prereq. or coreq., Geog 104. Determination of spatial variables from maps/air photos using a variety of equipment. Involves techniques of data acquisition and applications of basic Geographic Information Systems (GIS) procedures.

U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 281 Geography for Teachers 3 cr. Geographic concepts, methods and subject material needed for teaching geography effectively at the elementary or secondary level.

U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) 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) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

Human Geography

UG 305 Cultural Geography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 101S. An exploration of the role of culture in shaping the environment into human landscapes and a consideration of the differing patterns of human use of the earth.

UG 315S Economic Geography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 101S or consent of instr. Spatial order and changing locational patterns of human economic activity. Emphasis on concepts and theories of agriculture, industrial and urban location.

UG 321S Urban Geography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 101S. Development of world patterns of urbanization, kinds of cities, cities in relation to the areas they serve, the internal geographic patterns of cities.

UG 425 The Human Role in Environmental Change 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 101S or 102N or consent of instr. Same as EVST 425. Systematic examination of changes to vegetation, animals, soils, waters, landforms and the atmosphere to understand human impact on environment.

Physical Geography

UG 330N Meteorology 3 cr. 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. Prereq., Geog 102N or equiv. Important landforms, the biophysical processes and environments of their formation and associated morphological problems.

UG 344 Glacial Geomorphology 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 102N or equiv. Offered alternate years. Characterization and development of processes, landforms, and landscapes made by continental and alpine ice masses during the "ice ages".

UG 346N Biogeography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 102N or equiv. Geography of the biologic community and its environment using the ecosystem approach and the landscape perspective.

UG 435 Water Resources 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 330N or consent of instr. Offered alternate years. Components of the hydrological cycle. Occurrence, acquisition, transportation and utilization of water resources. Water management problems of major U.S. watersheds.

UG 443 Soil Geomorphology 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 340, For 210 or consent of instr. Development, distribution and stratigraphy of soils and paleosols as consequences of bio-climatic geomorphological processes.

Regional Geography

U 242S South Asia/Land and People 3 cr. Same as Soc 242S. The physical setting of South Asia, its history, culture and socioeconomic organization. Examines regional differences, changing social patterns and the relationship between people and the environment.

U 256S North American West 3 cr. Consideration of the spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits which give to the western parts of the United States and Canada their geographic personality. Emphasis on spatial organization, landscape contrasts and the various geographic subregions of the West.

U 257 Pacific Northwest 3 cr. Offered alternate years. An examination of the physical and socioeconomic characteristics of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and western Montana with emphasis on the regional economy, resource problems and policies.

U 258S Rocky Mountains 3 cr. Study of the Rocky Mountains as a geographic region, using the concepts of regional geography and the principles of moutain geography.

U 259S Montana 3 cr. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits which give to Montana its geographic personality.

U 261S Middle America 3 cr. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits of Middle America (Mexico through Panama plus the Caribbean).

U 263S South America 3 cr. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits of South America.

U 267S East Asia 3 cr. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits of East Asia.

U 269S Middle East 3 cr. Offered alternate years. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits of the Middle East.

U 277S Africa 3 cr. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits of Africa.

UG 351 Geography of a Selected Region 3 cr. (R-9) Selected regions will be listed as appropriate in each class schedule.

UG 365S Japan 3 cr. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits of Japan.

UG 366S China 3 cr. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits of China.

UG 451 Advanced Regional Geography 3 cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. In-depth treatment of a geographic region, a particular regional problem, or the methodology of regional geography. Topics vary.

Geographic Thought, Methodology, and Techniques

UG 376 Historical Geography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 101S and 102N or consent of instr. Geography of past periods with the aim of understanding geographic patterns and processes both past and present.

UG 385 Field Techniques 3 cr. 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 Spatial Analysis 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 385 or consent of instr. Use of quantitative methods in the analysis of areal distributions of physical and cultural phenomena. Average position, linear and areal dispersion, gravity models, point and areal patterns, network measurements, regionalization, spatial diffusion and spatial association.

UG 387 Principles of Cartography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 104 or consent of instr. The compilation, design, layout, lettering and construction of maps, charts and diagrams. Emphasis on the techniques of map construction.

UG 388 Thematic Cartography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 387. The elements and principles of constructing qualitative and quantitative thematic maps. Techniques will emphasize the production of maps employing photographic screens, color-separation, four-color processes and negative scribing techniques.

UG 477 Geographic Concepts, Research, and Writing 3 cr. Prereq., junior standing in geography. The history, theories, methods and practices of Geography as a discipline with an emphasis on qualitative research and scientific and/or report writing.

UG 481 Seminar in Teaching Geography 3 cr. 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 487 Cartography: Graphics and Production 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 387. Compilation, design and production of maps employing photographic screens, color-separation, four-color processing, photo-mechanical techniques and negative scribing.

UG 488 Computer Cartography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 387 or consent of instr. Compilation, design, and production of maps, diagrams and graphs employing computer techniques. Introduction to geographic information systems. A variety of computer software and hardware is used.

U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R-15) Prereq., consent of instr. University omnibus option for independent work. See index.

UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Specialized aspects of geography. Topics vary.

UG 496 Independent Study Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Independent study in any subfield of geography.

U 498 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements within governmental agencies or the business community.

G 577 Seminar in Geographic Thought 3 cr. Geographic ideas, concepts, approaches and techniques from ancient to modern times.

G 578 Concepts and Purposes in Planning 2 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. An introduction to the major philosophies, theories, methods and practices of planning, and a critical appraisal of scope and purpose in planning as a discipline and profession.

G 579 Seminar in Planning I 2 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. Analysis of land-use planning theories, concepts, problems and current professional practices.

G 580 Seminar in Planning II 2 cr. Prereq., Geog 579 or consent of instr. An analysis of planning concepts and problems with emphasis on theory and practice at regional and state levels.

G 581 Land-Use Law and Regulation 2 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. Offered alternate years. An analysis of procedure and substantive requirements for land-use regulation of local, state, and federal regulatory bodies. Course is particularly oriented to persons involved in all aspects of land-use regulation and emphasizes a step-by-step approach to administrative regulation of land uses.

G 582 Planning Design Studio 3 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. Offered alternate years. Analysis of land-use problems and design.

G 587 Seminar in Applied Cartography 3 cr. (R-9) Prereq., Geog 387. Offered alternate years. Application of cartographic principles and techniques to the formulation, design and completion of mapping projects.

G 594 Graduate Seminar 3 cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Topics vary.

G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) 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) Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research in geography or planning.

G 597 Research Methods 3 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. Methods of research appropriate for geography and planning, including research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, synthesis and presentation. Preparation and defense of a thesis or professional paper proposal.

G 598 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus.

G 599 Professional Paper Variable cr. (R-6) Prereq., consent of advisor.

G 699 Thesis Variable cr. (R-10) Prereq., consent of advisor.

Faculty

Professors

John M. Crowley, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1964 (Emeritus)
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 (Emeritus)
Jeffrey A. Gritzner, Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1986 (Research Professor)
Darshan S. Kang, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1975
Paul B. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1972 (Chairman)

Associate Professor H. W. Bockemuehl, Ph.D., Massey University, 1973 (Emeritus)

Assistant Professor

Christiane von Reichert, Ph.D., University of Idaho, 1992


95-96 UM Undergraduate Catalog