GEOG 105 
World Regional Geography (SS). [3] 
A survey of world regions illustrating the interaction of physical and cultural processes. These processes are examined in the context of problems confronting different cultures in contrasting environments. The course deals with regional stresses and conflicts and their geographic implications. Note: Formerly listed as GEOG 101.

GEOG 110 
Physical Geography (MS). [3] 
Study of the principles and processes of climate, earth materials, landforms, soils, and vegetation that give logic to their integrated patterns of world distribution. Recommended as one of the first two courses to be taken by prospective majors. Note: Formerly listed as GEOG 210.
Click here for Dr. Young's Geog 110 homepage

GEOG 110H 
Physical Geography: Honors (MS). [4] 
The honors section of this class includes a mixture of traditional lectures, small-group discussions and student presentations. In addition to material covered in the regular lecture course, students will utilize resources available through the World Wide Web to explore global patterns related to topics discussed in the class. Information sources include satellite images; weather maps; climatic data; oceanographic data; hydrologic data; ecosystem and watershed studies; and images and animations showing locations and impacts of tropical cyclones, El NiÒo/Southern Oscillation, floods, droughts, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes or other natural phenomena. Prerequisite: Membership in the Honors College or permission of instructor.
Click here for Dr. Miller's Geog 110H homepage

GEOG 111
Principles of Geology (MS). [3] 
An introduction to the structure, composition, historical evolution, and surface features of the earth. Topics include the geologic time scale and radiometric dating; major groups of rocks and minerals; sedimentation and stratigraphy; plate tectonics, seismicity, volcanism, mountain-building, and geologic structures; weathering and soil formation; and sculpture of the land by surficial processes. Note: Formerly listed as GEOG 211.
Click here for Dr. Miller's Geog 111 online syllabus

GEOG 120
Environmental Science and Conservation (MS). [3] 
An introduction to the study of how human populations use and impact the earth's ecosystems. Topics covered include basic ecological principles, ecosystem dynamics, natural resources (air, water, soils, energy), human population growth, food production systems, biodiversity and endangered species, climate change, and pollution. Natural resource conservation policies and strategies are presented and evaluated.

GEOG 280
Map Use and Cartographic Principles. [4] 
This is an introductory course designed to establish the foundations necessary for map use, interpretation and design. This course introduces students to basic mapping ideas such as map projections, scale, grid systems, map use, interpretation, design, layout and basic production methods in use today. There is a laboratory component to this course and students should expect to spend several hours each week working in the lab on assigned projects. Note: This course is required for the Cartography Certificate.

Regardless of the presence or absence of other written prerequisites, all students enrolled in 300- and 400-level Geography courses are expected to have basic competency in college-level algebra.

GEOG 300
Geography: Development, Methods, Research, and Writing. [3] 
An overview of the evolution of the discipline of geography, with emphasis on the relationship between paradigm shifts and changing content and methods. Explores research literature by building familiarity with the principal journals in the field, and emphasizes writing skills and their application in geographic research. Note: Particularly recommended for students expecting to proceed to graduate school. Prerequisite: GEOG 102 and GEOG 110 or 111.

GEOG 301
Quantitative Techniques in Geography. [3] 
Introduction to the concepts of numerical measurement, and application of mathematical and statistical techniques to the solution of geographic problems. Note: Limited to geography majors or minors.

GEOG 302
Selected Topics in Geography. [3] 
This course is provided to allow flexibility in offering work not found elsewhere in the course offerings. The topic will be announced prior to the semester when it will be offered. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Three credits in Geography and Environmental Systems and consent of the instructor. Some topics will require additional prerequisites.

GEOG 310
Geomorphology. [3] 
Study of weathering and the soil mantle, the development of hillslopes, stream valleys and river plains, the significance of structural differences and climatic variation on geomorphic processes and landscape changes. Prerequisite: GEOG 110 or 111.

GEOG 311
Weather and Climate. [3] 
This course offers an introduction to the physical processes that control weather and climate. Topics covered include the mechanics of atmospheric behavior, weather systems, the global distribution of climates and their causes, as well as a variety of topics related to climatology. Prerequisite: GEOG 110 and competency in algebra and simple trigonometry.

GEOG 313 
Biogeography. [3] 
Study of the physical, biological and cultural factors that influence the changing distributions of plants and animals over the earth. Prerequisite: GEOG 110 or 120.

GEOG 314
Geography of Soils. [3] 
Study of the properties, distribution and development of soils, soil formation and classification, soil organisms and organic matter and soil surveys. Prerequisite: GEOG 110, 111 or consent of the instructor.

GEOG 317
Water Quality. [3] 
An introduction to basic physical, chemical and biological characteristics of natural waters, focusing on the sources and pathways by which contaminants enter aquatic systems and the impacts of water pollution on aquatic ecology and human health. Topics discussed also include drinking-water standards, wastewater treatment, point and nonpoint source contamination and methods for prevention or remediation of contamination. The course concentrates most heavily on surface-water quality but some attention will be devoted to groundwater quality. Prerequisite: GEOG 110. Students are encouraged to complete CHEM 101 prior to enrolling in this course.

GEOG 318
Natural Environment of Chesapeake Bay. [3] 
An introduction to the geology, circulation, geochemistry, and ecology of Maryland's most important natural resource and one of the world's largest estuaries. In bringing together these aspects of the study of Chesapeake Bay we will try to understand how an estuarine system evolves under natural conditions and how the system may be affected by human activities. Prerequisite: GEOG 110.
Click here for Dr. Miller's Geog 318 homepage

GEOG 319
Ecosystems of North America. [3] 
A survey of the principal ecosystems of North America, from tundra to tropical rain forests, wetlands to deserts. To be stressed are the ecosystem processes of most importance for biological conservation and the management of natural areas. Prerequisite: GEOG 110 or 120.

GEOG 320
Cultural Geography. [3] 
Study of the nature, distribution and development of cultural phenomena. Topics such as religion, language, population and settlement patterns will be considered. Prerequisite: Three credits in geography and environmental systems or junior standing.

GEOG 325
Historical Geography. [3] 
An introductory course on the salient aspects of historical geography; focus on landscape evolution and regional changes of cultural phenomena. Emphasis is on development of North America, with contrasts of Latin American and non-Western landscapes. Prerequisite: Three credits in geography and environmental systems or junior standing.

GEOG 326
Conservation Thought (SS). [3] 
An exploration of the major ideas and themes of American conservation history including the environmental movement of the post-1960 period. Consideration is given to the relationships among environment, perception, values and resource philosophy. Prerequisite: GEOG 102 or 120.

GEOG 327
Cultural Ecology (C). [3] 
Study of the relationship of humans and their physical environment, and the role that technology plays in mediating between the two. Comparative analysis of the interdependence of social organization, technology and environment. Case studies of particular cultures are examined as well as cultural and social change arising from technological innovations. Prerequisite: Three credits in geography and environmental systems or junior standing.

GEOG 329
Geography of Disease and Health (SS). [3] 
The application of geographical concepts and techniques to health-related problems; origins and diffusion of diseases; physical, biological, cultural, and policy factors in disease and mortality; location of social service facilities and ability of health and social systems to respond to society's needs. Note: Also listed as HESP 329. Prerequisite: GEOG 102, three credits of HESP or 
consent of instructor.

GEOG 330
Location of Economic Activity. [3] 
Study of the production, exchange and consumption of goods and services over the earth. Prerequisite: GEOG 102 or junior standing.

GEOG 332
Natural Resources: Problems and Policies. [3] 
Study of the problems and policies associated with the use, misuse and deterioration of natural resources (biotic and abiotic). Includes the inventory, management, and development of natural resources, resource perceptions and future resource landscapes. Prerequisite: GEOG 102 or 120.

GEOG 333
Water Resources. [3] 
This course examines the distribution and abundance of water resources, the nature of water supply systems, the uses of water in modern society, and the impact of human activities on water quality and water availability. Environmental, social and economic implications of water resource management decisions will be considered. Prerequisite: Three credits in geography and environmental systems or junior standing.

GEOG 337
Transport Development. [3] 
The influence of geographical factors in the creation and maintenance of transportation technologies and patterns; the shaping of patterns of settlement by transportation innovation; the role of transportation in regional development. Prerequisite: Three credits in geography and environmental systems.

GEOG 338
Regional Planning. [3] 
This course examines the shift from planning as an urban issue to the recognition that planning decisions often have broader regional impacts. The first part of the semester will survey urban planning efforts from the early 1900s through the 1960s. The second half of the semester will focus on the "new" comprehensive planning efforts, using growth management of urbanization to protect rural areas, agricultural lands and sensitive environments. Emphasis will be placed on comparing regional planning approaches in Florida, Maryland and Oregon. Prerequisite: GEOG 102 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 341
Urban Geography. [3] 
Analysis of the political, economic, historical, physical and cultural factors that shape the uses and value of land within urban areas; differences in urban-suburban employment, lifestyles, voting behavior, ethnicity and socio-economic status. Prerequisite: GEOG 102 or junior standing.

GEOG 342
Metropolitan Baltimore. [3] 
Analysis of the functions, structure, development and planning problems of the metropolitan area. Prerequisite: Three credits in geography and environmental systems or junior standing.

GEOG 350
Social Geography. [3] 
An overview of principles and problems in social geography, with emphasis on issues including population density, diffusion, space perception, distance decay, and migration. Prerequisite: GEOG 102 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 352
Geography of Crime and Justice. [3] 
Explores patterns of crime at the international, national, state and neighborhood scales. Examines relationships between crime and socioeconomic and physical environments. Emphasis on violence. The geography of capital punishment is considered. Explores applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and cartographic technologies in policing. Prerequisite: GEOG 102 or permission of instructor.

GEOG 361
Geography of the United States (SS). [3] 
This course considers the physical, cultural, and economic geography of the United States. It stresses changing conditions, both economic and environmental, and the impacts of these changes on the nation's population and patterns of development. Note: Not open to students who have taken GEOG 362. Prerequisite: One course in geography and environmental systems or consent of the instructor.

GEOG 362
Geography of North America (SS). [3] 
This course examines both the physical and cultural landscapes across North America. Principal themes to be appraised include the physiographic provinces which have afforded access or served as barriers, the emergence of some regions as centers of cultural and economic activity, the differential pattern of population distribution, the role of the continent's nations in the increasingly complex global system of nations, and the significance of transport both to internal development and to international connectedness.Note: Not open to students who have taken GEOG 361. Prerequisite: One course in geography and environmental systems or consent of the instructor.

GEOG 381
Remote Sensing. [4] 
Interpretation of aerial photography and other imagery obtained from aircraft and satellites for the purpose of measuring and analyzing surface features and activities. Special emphasis is given to acquisition of data through the use of various instrumentation and visual interpretation of imagery. Topical applications include forestry, urbanization, geology and landforms, water resources, agriculture and land use. Prerequisite: Three credits in geography and environmental systems or consent of instructor.
Samples of work from this course.

GEOG 383
Statistical and Thematic Cartography. [4] 
This course examines various ways to portray quantitative and qualitative information using thematic maps. Emphasis is on data processing, map design and construction. The computer is used to aid in data processing and map development; however, no previous experience with computers is necessary. Prerequisite: GEOG 280 or consent of instructor. Some topics will require additional prerequisites.
Samples of work from this course.

GEOG 386
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. [4] 
An overview of the essential characteristics, development, and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will become familiar with the specialized concepts and methods related to the compilation and manipulation of spatial data, and will apply those concepts and methods in a laboratory setting. Prerequisite: GEOG 280; limited to majors or may be taken with consent of instructor.

GEOG 387
Applications for Geographic Information Systems. [3] 
A course designed for nonmajors and working professionals. An introduction and survey of the principal concepts, data structures, data management, system implementation components and design of applications using spatial data technologies.To be stressed are the underlying structure of spatial systems in combination with practical laboratory skills in developing technical competency with state-of-the-practice software tools. Laboratory skills development will attend to web-based techniques for data access, analysis, and formatting output of results. Note: Not open to students who have already completed GEOG 386. Pre-requisite: Three credits in geography and environmental systems or consent of instructor

GEOG 400
Selected Topics in Geography. [3] 
This course is provided to allow flexibility in offering advanced work not found elsewhere in the course offerings. The topic will be announced prior to the semester when it will be offered. Note: May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Junior standing and consent of the instructor. Some topics will require additional prerequisites.

GEOG 410
Coastal Morphology. [3] 
Study of the formation and development of coastal landforms with emphasis on depositional forms. Human activities along shorelines are included. Prerequisite: GEOG 310 and competency in algebra and simple trigonometry.

GEOG 411
Fluvial Morphology. [3] 
Study of the formation and development of landforms that are produced by riverine processes. Human activities on flood plains are included. Prerequisite: GEOG 310 and competency in algebra and simple trigonometry.

GEOG 413
Seminar in Biogeography. [3] 
Advanced and topical themes in biogeography. Prerequisite: GEOG 313.

GEOG 415
Climate Change. [3] 
This course deals with the question of climate change and variability. Topics covered include changes in climate on different time scales (geologic, historic and the present), environmental evidence of climate change, factors controlling climate variations, and the use of computer models in reconstructing past climates and predicting climate changes. Note: Formerly listed as GEOG 312. Prerequisite: GEOG 311.

GEOG 416
Hydrology. [4] 
Study of the occurrence and movement of water on and beneath the land surface. All phases of the hydrologic cycle are discussed, with particular emphasis on factors that control runoff, flood frequency, measurement and prediction of streamflow and applications of hydrologic data in environmental planning. Principles of groundwater flow and the influence of geology on both groundwater and surface water are also included. Experience in the use of microcomputers for problem-solving is recommended. Prerequisite: GEOG 110 or 111 and either GEOG 310, 311, 317 or 333; MATH 151; and either GEOG 301, STAT 121, 350 or 355.
Click here for Dr. Miller's Hydrology bookmarks

GEOG 429
Seminar in Geography of Disease and Health. [3] 
Current issues in the geographic distribution of disease and health and location/allocation of health care services. Methods of analysis, including computer applications of statistics and information storage, retrieval and mapping. Note: Also listed as HESP 429. Prerequisite: Open only to GEOG, HESP and POSI majors. Must have completed GEOG 329 or have senior/graduate standing and permission of instructor.

GEOG 432
Seminar in Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. [3] 
Advanced study of natural resource problems and policies, strategies for environmental conservation, and future resource landscapes. Note: This course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: GEOG 332 or GEOG 326 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 433
Sustainability, Land Use and Natural Resources. [3] 
This seminar class will examine the theory and practice of sustainability as applied to renewable natural resources. Examples and case studies will be drawn from the land-use systems involved with agriculture, forestry, fisheries, recreation and nature conservation. This will be done in an international context, comparing and contrasting sustainability issues in developed and developing countries. Prerequisite: Either GEOG 326, 330, 332 or consent of the instructor.
Click here for Dr. Young's Geog 443 homepage

GEOG 435
|Global Patterns of Production and Trade. [3] 
Analysis of the factors responsible for the location of industry and how these factors have contributed to internationalization of production and increasing world trade. Topics include the growth and decline of manufacturing regions in the United States, western Europe and Asia and the potential for increased manufacturing production in Africa and South America. The European community and the former Soviet Union are also examined. Prerequisite: GEOG 330 or consent of the instructor.

GEOG 438
Selected Topics in Transportation Geography. [3] 
This course is designed to provide flexibility in offering advanced work in transportation geography. The topic will be announced prior to the semester when the course will be offered. Prerequisite: GEOG 337 or consent of the instructor.

GEOG 442
Seminar in Metropolitan Baltimore. [3] 
Advanced study of the social and economic geography of Baltimore City and surrounding counties. Course will include data analysis and field research.Prerequisite: GEOG 341 or 342.

GEOG 450
Seminar in Social Geography. [3] 
Advanced study of the spatial dimensions of selected social problems and policies. Prerequisite: GEOG 350 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 480
Advanced Cartographic Applications. [4] 
Practical applications in the design and construction of maps, graphs, and other visual materials, using process photography, photomechanical processes and automated cartography in a production atmosphere. Emphasis is on bridging the gap between traditional production cartography and computer generated graphics. Often, full-color atlases are produced that are distributed internationally. Students should plan to spend a considerable amount of time weekly in a laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOG 280 or consent of instructor. 
Samples of work from this course.

GEOG 481
Digital Image Processing for Environmental Applications. [3] 
This course covers the use of digital image processing techniques for extracting information about the earth's surficial environments from satellite remote sensing images. Lectures will cover the theory and laboratory exercises will provide hands-on experience in the use of computers and software for image acquisition, processing, visualization, enhancement and classification applied to multispectral satellite data. Environmental applications include wetlands delineation, forestry inventory and assessments, land use and urban sprawl analysis. Prerequisite: GEOG 381.

GEOG 482
Cartographic Internship. [3] 
Students will be selected by the director of cartographic services to assist as unpaid interns for 10 hours per week in the cartographic activities of the department. The interns participate directly in cartographic production and in the management of the office of cartographic services. Note: Formerly listed as GEOG 382. Prerequisite: GEOG 480, recommendation by the director of cartographic services and consent of department chair.
Samples of work from this course.

GEOG 485
Field Research. [3] 
This course is designed to provide field-study experience for majors in geography and environmental systems. Research topics may be chosen from any area of the discipline. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

GEOG 486
Advanced Applications of Geographic Information Systems. [3] 
Students will become familiar with advanced concepts, methods, and applications of geographic information systems (GIS). Emphasis will be on problem-solving using GIS methods. Prerequisite: GEOG 386.

GEOG 491
Independent Study. [1-3] 
Independent reading and field experience, supervised by a member of the department faculty. For students of advanced standing who have substantially completed major requirements and desire to study independently an aspect of the discipline not covered by regular course offerings. The student must make an arrangement with a faculty member prior to registration. Note: Formerly listed as GEOG 391. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

GEOG 498
Internship. [3] 
Upon application, students are selected by the department to intern in the offices of public agencies, private companies or nonprofit organizations. During the internship, the students participate in a directed readings program and meet together periodically to discuss the activities in which they are engaged. Note: Formerly listed as GEOG 398. Prerequisite: Formal application and acceptance by the department.

GEOG 499
Honors Thesis. [3] 
Majors wishing to graduate with departmental honors must complete an honors thesis. The topic and scope of the thesis research project are to be determined in consultation with the student's faculty advisor. Prerequisite: Senior standing; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and departmental GPA of 3.50; completion of at least one 400-level course in a topic area related to the thesis research; and permission of the student's faculty advisor.