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. Thir 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 branches of geography, which correspond more or less to the geography courses listed in this catalog, tend to fall into these groupings: (1) 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. Also offered are a minor in geography, a teaching major and minor in geography, and emphases in cartography and rural, town and regional planning. 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 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 emphasis, students may elect one of two emphases within the Master of Arts program geography, cartography, or rural, town and regional planning. See the graduate catalog for more information concerning the M.A. and its various emphases.
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 47), 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 |
| 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 | 6-16 |
| Total | 37-47 |
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 or the rural, town and regional planning 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 and Geog 482 or 487; For 351 and 451; and twelve credits selected from the following electives: Astr 131N, 132N, 134N, 135N; Geog 330N, 587, 588, and 589; For 503, 504 and 551; and Geol 100N and 105N. Also required are CS 203, 204, or 205, and Math 150. These requirements are designed to satisfy qualifications for cartographer positions with various governmental agencies.
Rural, Town and Regional Planning Emphasis
In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a degree in geography, the student desiring an emphasis in rural, town and regional planning must complete Geog 388, 479, 482; Phil 327; and Soc 340. Additional three credits chosen from the following: Geog 321, 346, 487 or EVST 301 must be taken.
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 (an area of emphasis is not required) 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 A S
| Geog 101S Introduction to Human Geography | 3 | - |
| Geog 102N Introduction to Physical Geography | - | 3 |
| Geog 103S World Regional Geography | - | 3 |
| Two-course sequence in mathematics | 3 | 3 |
| *Enex 101 Composition | 3 | - |
| Electives & General Education | 7 | 7 |
| Total | 16 | 16 |
*Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's last name.
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 131 Fundamentals of Computer Science I | 4 | - |
| **CS 132 Fundamentals of Computer Science II | - | 4 |
| Second course in writing | 3 | - |
| Electives & General Education | 7 | 9 |
| Total | 18 | 16 |
Third Year
| Geog 385 Field Techniques | - | 3 |
| Geog 387 Principles of Digital Cartography | 3 | - |
| Upper-division human or physical geography course | - | 3 |
| **CS 204 C Programming(or other higher-level computing language) | 3 | - |
| Third course in writing, 300 level or above | 3 | - |
| Electives & General Education | 8 | 10 |
| Total | 17 | 16 |
Fourth Year
| Geog 386 Quantitative Techniques in Geography | 3 | - |
| Geog 388 Digital Thematic Cartography | - | 3 |
| Geog 496 Independent Study | 3 | - |
| Upper-division human geography course | - | 3 |
| Upper-division physical geography course | 3 | - |
| Electives & General Education | 7 | 10 |
| Total | 16 | 16 |
**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) Experimentl offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
Human Geography
UG 305S Cultural Geography 3 cr.Prereq., Geog 101S. 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 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 Towns and Rural Settlement 3 cr. 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. 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) 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. 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. 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 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 Geomorphogenesis and Classification 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 340, For 210 or consent of instr. Classification, morphology, and distribution of soils and paleosols as consequences of bio-climatic geomorphologic processes.
G 530 Advanced hysical Geography 3 cr. (R-9) 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. 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 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 259S Montana 3 cr. The spatial integration and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits which give to Montana its geographic personality.
U 265S Europe 3 cr. A systematic geography of Europe. Discussion of the physical and socio-economic characteristics of Europe with emphasis on processes of political integration, demographic change and economic restructuring.
U 269S Middle East 3 cr. Offered alternate years. A survey of the biophysical and cultural geography of Southwest Asia and North Africa. Emphasis is on environmental change, cultural-historical development, socio-economic diversity, and the broader political significance of the region.
U 277S Africa 3 cr. Offered alternate years. 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.
UG 351 Geography of a Selected Region 3 cr. (R-9) Selected regions will be listed as appropriate in each class schedule.
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 preset.
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 Quantitative Techniques in Geography 3 cr. 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.
UG 387 Principles of Digital Cartography 3 cr. 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.
UG 388 Digital Thematic Cartography 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 387. Communicating topical information with maps. Theories of map symbolism, generalization, compilation and design. Computer production of choropleth maps, dot maps, proportional figure maps, isarithmic maps, and others. Includes computer mapping exercises.
UG 479 Rural, Town and Regional Planning 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 101S or consent of instr. Land planning principles, practices and problems in small towns and rural environments.
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 482 Models in Geography and Planning 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 386 or consent of instr. Review of the theoretical and conceptual basis of models employed by applied geographers, planners, regional economic analysts, etc. Computer application of widely used techniques such as population and employment projections, interaction and location-allocation models. A project-oriented course.
UG 487 Computer Map Production and Design 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 387. Advanced compilation, design and production of maps employing computerized methods. Topics include color-separation, four-color process and spot colors, digital output, layers, service bureaus, image manipulation and bezier curves.
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 500 Geography Graduate Colloquium 1 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. Graded pass/not pass only. Attendance required every semester graduate students are in residence. Must register for credit only during the semester that the thesis proposal is submitted. Presentation of faculty and student research interests. Guests lecturers.
G 550 Seminar in Geography 3 cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Seminar topics in human geography, physical geography, regional geography or geographical techniques.
G 577 Seminar in Geographic Thought 3 cr. Geographic ideas, concepts, approaches and techniques from ancient to modern times.
G 579 Seminar in Rural, Town and Regional Planning 3 cr. Prereq., Geog 479 or consent of instr. A critical analysis o land planning theories, concepts and current practices with a focus on local, regional, and state planning problems.
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 589 Seminar in Cartography 3 cr.(R-9) 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) 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 including research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation. Preparation of a thesis 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 699 Thesis Variable cr. (R-6) 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)
Darshan S. Kang, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1975
Paul B. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1972 (Chairman)
Associate Professors
H. W. Bockemuehl, Ph.D., Massey University, 1973 (Emeritus)
Jeffrey A. Gritzner, Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1986
Assistant Professors
Peter G. Anderson, Ph.D., University of Utah (Visiting)
Christiane von Reichert, Ph.D., University of Idaho, 1992