Geography

Physical Geography is the science of the physical environment on Earth. This includes fundamental principles, processes, and perspectives from three major subject areas: (1) atmosphere and weather, (2) biogeography, and (3) geology and landforms. In this field- and laboratory based course, students will gain knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of our planet.

This advanced course provides further instruction in Geographic Information Science and ArcGIS applications. It is geared towards making students more familiar with the geospatial career field through interaction with GIS employers, GIS professionals, and a conference attendance (when possible). Course topics include more in-depth vector and raster data analysis, terrain mapping, viewshed and watershed analysis, spatial interpolation, modeling, and some python programming.

Biogeography is the science of the distribution of plants and animals and the patterns and processes responsible for these distributions. This course introduces students to the discipline of biogeography and its major topics such as island biogeography, speciation and extinction, diversification, and conservation from a more geographical perspective emphasizing large scale patterns through space and time. The class consists of lectures and labs in which students explore lab work and science concepts to prepare students for careers in the conservation and ecology fields. Students write three detailed lab reports following scientific writing conventions to practice science writing skills. 

This course satisfies the advanced writing skills course requirement.