Department of Geography
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences
1832 Ellison Hall
Telephone: (805) 893-3663
Fax: (805) 893-3146
Website: www.geog.ucsb.edu (will open in a new browser window)
Undergraduate matters: (805) 893-2545
Email: ugrad_assistant@geog.ucsb.edu
Graduate matters: (805) 893-8789
Email: grad_assistant@geog.ucsb.edu
Department Chair: Oliver Chadwick
Contents:
David L. Carr, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Assistant Professor (fertility, migration, population-environment linkages, land use/cover change in Latin America)
Oliver Chadwick, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Professor (pedology, soil geomorphology, soil geochemistry, quaternary geology, organic and mineral fluxes during soil, atmosphere, water and vegetation interaction)
Richard L. Church, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, Professor (facilities location and related computational algorithms, urban and regional modeling/planning, water resources)
Keith Clarke, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Professor (cartography and geographic information systems)
Helen Couclelis, Ph.D., Cambridge University, Professor (spatial cognition and behavioral geography, urban and regional theory and modeling, planning, the philosophy of science)
Tommy Dickey, Ph.D., Princeton University, Professor (atmosphere-ocean interactions and upper ocean mixing; turbulence and internal waves)
Hallie Eakin, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Assistant Professor (environmental hazards, economic globalization, human dimensions of global environmental change, agriculture, international development)
Catherine Gautier, Ph.D., University of Paris, Professor (earth radiation budget and cloud processes, radiative transfer and remote sensing, global climate change and earth system science education)
Reginald G. Golledge, Ph.D., University of Iowa, Professor (spatial cognition, behavioral geography, decision making, disability, transportation modeling, human wayfinding)
Michael F. Goodchild, Ph.D., McMaster University, Professor (spatial analysis and geographic information systems)
Konstadinos G. Goulias, Ph.D., University of California, Davis, Professor (transportation systems planning and modeling, applied econometrics and statistics, travel behavior dynamics and microsimulation)
Phaedon Kyriakidis, Ph.D., Stanford University, Associate Professor (geostatistics and spatial analysis)
Hugo A. Loaiciga, Ph.D., UC Davis, Professor (water resources, surface and groundwater hydrology)
Joel Michaelsen, Ph.D., UC Berkeley, Professor (climatology/meteorology, climate change, temporal and spatial statistics)
Daniel Montello, Ph.D., Arizona State University, Professor (spatial and geographic perception/cognition/behavior, cognitive issues in cartography and GIS, spatial aspects of social behavior, environmental psychology and behavioral geography)
Martin Raubal, Ph.D. Techn., Vienna University of Technology, Assistant Professor (cognitive engineering for geospatial services, cognitive semantic interoperability, location-based decision services, spatial cognition and wayfinding, time geography, agents and artificial intelligence)
Dar Roberts, Ph.D., University of Washington, Professor (remote sensing of vegetation and soils, geobotany and spectroscopy, geology, ecology and ecophysiology)
Annemarie Schneider, Ph.D., Boston University, Assistant Professor (land cover change, urban geography, remote sensing and geographic information science, global environmental change)
David Siegel, Ph.D., University of Southern California, Professor (interdisciplinary marine science. Coupling of physical, biological, optical and biogeochemical marine processes on micro to ocean basin scales using satellite remote sensing, field observations and numerical modeling)
Terence R. Smith, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, Professor (spatial data processing, spatial analysis, spatial databases, knowledge-based approaches to geographic information systems)
Christopher J. Still, Ph.D., Stanford University, Assistant Professor (global ecology and biogeography, isotope biogeochemistry, plant ecophysiology, biosphere-atmosphere interactions)
Stuart Sweeney, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Associate Professor (urban and regional modeling/planning, human migration, local economic development, spatial statistics)
Libe Washburn, Ph.D., UC San Diego, Professor (physical oceanography, ocean turbulence and mixing processes, ocean bio/optics, air-sea interaction and marine pollution)
Raymond C. Smith, Ph.D., Stanford University, Professor Emeritus (remote sensing of the oceans)
Waldo R. Tobler, Ph.D., University of Washington, Professor Emeritus (cartography)
David A. Cleveland, Ph.D. (Environmental Studies)
Frank Davis, Ph.D. (Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management)
Thomas Dunne, Ph.D. (Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management)
James Frew, Ph.D. (Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management)
John M. Melack, Ph.D. (Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology)
Jeff Dozier, Ph.D. (Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management)
Susan S. Stonich, Ph.D. (Environmental Studies)
Geography is the study of the Earth as the home of humanity. As such, it involves analyses of the spatial and temporal phenomena that make up the human and natural environment of Earth, from multiple disciplinary perspectives. The Department of Geography at UCSB is on the cutting edge of geographic research, technologies, and interdisciplinary studies.
The Department of Geography, founded over three decades ago, is now one of the crown jewels of UCSB. With 20 tenured faculty, 7 affiliated faculty, 22 administrative and 25 research staff, almost 100 graduate and 200 undergraduate students, the department is not only among the largest geography departments in the country, but it is also one of the highest ranked graduate departments at UC Santa Barbara, according to the National Academy of Sciences.
The department offers two undergraduate and two graduate degrees: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Geography, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physical Geography, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Geography, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geography. The majors are designed to provide a fundamental background for students seeking an interdisciplinary understanding of our planet and the varied human and natural systems that interrelate within it.
Undergraduate courses are arranged into four main areas: physical systematics, human systematics, techniques, and regional courses. Physical systematics courses teach students how the Earth’s systems work in conjunction with each other. A variety of oceanography, meteorology, hydrology, soil science, and biogeography courses are offered each year. Human systematics courses cover the myriad ways that humans interact with each other and with their environment. These issues are discussed in courses on population, migration, and economic geography; transportation systems; urban and regional planning and modeling; human-nature relationships; and behavioral and cognitive geography. Geographic techniques involve the collection, processing, and interpretation of information about geo-referenced phenomena, and are studied in courses on remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, and spatial statistics. The department is well known for its technical training in these rapidly expanding fields, and a number of students from other departments take advantage of our technical courses. Regional courses discuss in an integrated way the physical, human, and historical characteristics of various regions of local and global interest.
The B.A. in Geography is an interdisciplinary program that offers students maximum flexibility with a minimum number of units. This major permits students the freedom of choosing their own path through various courses offered in the human, physical, and technical areas. The interdisciplinary nature of the major is supported by a Related Course List, which contains hundreds of classes from over 20 different departments which students can apply towards their upper-division electives. These courses allow students to apply their geographic knowledge toward specific areas like archaeology, land use and planning law, plant ecology, or social change in developing nations. The low unit requirement makes this an ideal major for students wishing to pursue multiple objectives. Many geography students complete double majors with related disciplines such as business economics, environmental studies, anthropology, and global studies; others pursue such diverse double majors as geography and art history, renaissance studies, or microbiology.
The B.A. in Geography with an emphasis in Geographic Information Science is intended to build upon Geography B.A. in the science behind spatial information technologies. The understanding of this science is imperative to the evolution of the technologies and advancement of the fundamental theories that arise from their use. The specialization of Geographic Information Science includes both the methods of geographic information technologies (geographic information systems, computer cartography, remote sensing, global positioning systems, visualization), and the bodies of theory that relate the tools to problem solving in geography. Students will choose one or more tracks in GIScience specializations, can combine tracks for coverage in breadth and depth, and pursue interests in particular technologies, methods or approaches. Graduates from the emphasis will find themselves well prepared to start a career in any of the geographic information technology fields, or to continue their education in graduate school
The B.S. in Physical Geography provides majors with rigorous training in earth and environmental science. The degree offers students the option of choosing a more structured, directed program which emphasizes the quantitative and scientific approaches to studying the Earth’s physical environment. At the same time, the major offers the flexibility of deciding on which areas of the systematics the student wants to focus on: soils and hydrology, oceanography and meteorology, biogeography and soils or any other combination. B.S. students are offered a specific list of related courses from biology and geology to supplement their selection of systematics courses.
To declare geography as a major, students need to have completed two geography classes and have at least a 2.0 overall grade-point average. All major courses must be completed for a letter grade. The department undergraduate program assistant is available for counseling on matters such major requirements, quarterly scheduling, honors programs, petitions, internships, career planning, and graduate school information.
Students are encouraged to take part in research within the department. Faculty and graduate students welcome assistance on various research projects. Many faculty members integrate their research projects into teaching and independent studies, and the large number of geography majors participating in internships shows that geographers engage well with the workplace. Our students find employment in a variety of fields in industry, government, and academia. Consult the undergraduate advisor for more information regarding Independent Studies (Geography 199), Independent Research Assistance (Geography 199RA), and Internships (Geography 193).
Geography is the study of the Earth, and because of this, geographers need to get out into the world and explore. Our students are encouraged to take part in study abroad opportunities offered by the Education Abroad Program, and field research programs like UCSB Extension’s Wildlands Studies Program. Similar programs from other schools offer excellent experiential learning opportunities, although degree credit cannot be assured without prior approval.
Students who maintain a 3.5 overall grade-point average and a 3.6 grade-point average in the major are welcome to pursue Distinction in the Major. In addition to maintaining the GPA, by the time of graduation, students must have completed 8 units of Independent Studies (Geography 199), graduate-level courses, or a combination of the two. Students must obtain permission from a faculty member and the department chair to take part in these courses. Please see the undergraduate advisor for more information.
The undergraduate major is designed to prepare students for careers in many different fields. Geographers find work as meterologists, cartographers, ecologists, demographers, hydrologists, urban and regional planners, soil conservationists, aerial photo interpreters, marketing analysts, intelligence analysts, transportation planners, GIS technicians, and educators, among numerous other professions.
Undergraduate Program
Preparation for the major. Geography 3A and 3B and 5, and Geography 12. One course from either Area A – Natural Science, Area B – Social Science, or Area C–Geography. Area A: Chemistry 1A/1AL; EEMB 2 or 20 or 21; Environmental Studies 2; Geology 2 or 4; MCDB 20; Physics 10. Area B: Anthropology 2 or 5; Communication 1; Economics 1 or 2; Environmental Studies 3; Linguistics 20A; Political Science 7; Psychology 1; Sociology 1. Also required, one introductory statistics course from Communication 87, EEMB 30, PSTAT 5A or 5E, or Psychology 5. Area C: Geography 2, 7, 8, 20; Strongly recommened: Mathematics 3A, and one course in computer programming.
Upper-division major. Forty upper-division units in geography are required, distributed as follows:
A1. 4 units from physical systematics courses: Geography 102, 104, 110, 112, 114A, 114B, 116, 133, 134, 144, 162A, 163, 165, 166, 167, 170, 175;
A2. 4 units from human systematics courses. Geography 108, 109, 111A-B, 141A, 141C, 145, 146, 153A-B-C-D-E, 180, 185A-B-C-D, 190;
A3. 4 additional units from either A1 or A2 above;
B. 8 units from techniques courses: Geography 115A-B-C, 117, 118, 128, 172, 176A-B-BL-C, 184A-B-C, 191, 191L. 193;
C. 8 units from integrative and regional courses: Geography 135, 135S, 140, 141B, 148, 149, 150, 155, 158, 159, 182;
D. 12 units of upper-division geography electives taken from Areas A-C to bring unit total to 40. A maximum of 8 upper-division units from a list of approved alternatives or by petition.
Note: Geography 194, 195, 198, 199, 199RA can be applied to Area A1 or A2 by petition, depending on the subject matter.
Bachelor of Arts - Geography - Geographic Information Science Emphasis
Preparation for the major. Geography 3A and 3B and 5 and 12. One course from area A - Natural Science and one course from area B – Social Science. Area A: Chemistry 1A/1AL; EEMB 2 or 20 or 21; Environmental Studies 2; Geology 2 or 4; MCDB 20; Physics 10. Area B: Anthropology 2 or 5; Communication 1; Economics 1 or 2; Environmental Studies 3; Linguistics 20A; Political Science 7; Psychology 1; Sociology 1. One introductory statistics course from the following: Communication 87; EEMB 30; PSTAT 5A or 5E; Psychology 5. One computer programming course: CS5AA-ZZ or by petition. Strongly recommended: Geography 2, Math 3A.
Upper-division major. Forty to forty-seven upper-division units in Geography are required, distributed as follows:
A. 24 -29 units from technical courses to be fulfilled by 1) completing two full sequences below or 2) completing one full sequence and at least one course from the remaining three sequences. (one sequence equals three courses plus associated lab sections)
Sequence 1 – Remote Sensing: Geography 102, 115A-B-C
Sequence 2 – Cartography: Geography 118, 128, 184A, 184C
Sequence 3 – Geographic Information Systems: Geography 176A-B-C
Sequence 4 – Quantitative Techniques and Theoretical Methods: Geography 117, 172, 190, 191, 191/L, 194;
B. 4 units from physical systematics courses: Geography 104, 110, 112, 114A, 114B, 116, 133, 134, 144, 162A, 163, 165, 166, 167, 170, 175;
C. 4 units from human systematics courses: Geography 108, 109, 111A-B, 141A, 141C, 145, 146, 153A-B-C-D-E, 180, 185A-B-C-D, 190 (if not used in Area A);
D. 4 additional units from either B or C above;
E. 8 units from integrative and regional courses: Geography 135, 135S, 140, 141B, 148, 149, 150, 155, 158, 159, 182.
Note: Geography 194, 195, 198, 199, 199RA can be applied to Area B or C by petition depending on the subject matter.
Bachelor of Science - Physical Geography
Preparation for the major. Fifty-three lower-division units are required, as follows. Geography 3A-B, 5; Mathematics 3A-B-C; Physics 6A-B-C or Physics 1, 2, 3, 3L, 4, 4L, PSTAT 5A or EEMB 30; Chemistry 1A-AL or 2A-AC. In addition, students must select a minimum of 12 units from the following courses: Chemistry 1B-BL, 1C-CL; 2B-2BC, 2C-2CC, 95; Geology 2, 3, 14, 15; Astronomy 1, 2; Math 5A, 5B, 5C, 8; MCDB 1A-AL, 1B-BL, EEMB 2-2L, 3-3L, 21, 24. Strongly recommended: Computer Science 12; Geography 8, 12; and any additional courses from those listed above.
Upper-division major. Forty-six upper-division units are required, as follows. Ten units from Geography 102, 172. Twelve units from Geography 115A-B-C, 117, 118, 128, 176A-B-BL-C, 184A-B-C. Twelve units from Geography 104, 110, 112, 114A, 134, 167. Twelve units from Geography 114B, 116, 133, 135, 135S, 144, 149, 158, 162A, 163, 165, 166, 170, 175, 185D.
Note: Up to 4 units of Geography 193, 194, 195, 198, 199, 199RA can be applied to the B.S. Upper Division Requirements (excluding Geog 102 and 172) by petition depending on the subject matter.
Graduate Program
In addition to departmental requirements, candidates for graduate degrees must meet university degree requirements found in the section "Graduate Education at UCSB."
The Geography Department offers specialized graduate training leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in a selection of areas including the following:
Earth System Science (ESS): This systematic area emphasizes the measurement, analysis, and modeling of hydrologic, atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial systems and the interaction between systems. A large proportion of the problems addressed by researchers in ESS involve three common elements: large regional issues; mathematical and computational modeling; and large, spatially-indexed datasets.
Human-Environment Relations (HER): This systematic area covers the major components of human geography offered by the department, including human spatial behavior, spatial decision making and decision support, urban and regional modeling, planning and policy, human movement and transportation systems, resource and environmental management, environmental ethics, and human response to the changing environment.
Modeling, Measurement and Computation (MMC): This area involves the investigation of those sets of techniques from the areas of analysis, statistics and computation that are particularly well-suited to the modeling of the complex, geographic phenomena that are the subject of investigation in both ESS and HER. Important sub-areas include numerical modeling, spatial statistics, remote sensing, computational modeling and database systems (including GIS) and visualization, all of which are increasingly dependent on knowledge of computational theory and practice.
Admission
In addition to the university requirements for admission to graduate status described in the section "Graduate Education at UCSB,” the department requires a high undergraduate grade-point average, particularly during the last two years of study. An undergraduate degree in geography is not required. Applicants with strong academic backgrounds in specific systematic study areas are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants are required to submit verbal, quantitative, and analytical Graduate Record Examination scores; total combined scores on the verbal and quantitative portions of the exam should exceed 1100. Some undergraduate preparation in mathematics, statistics and computer programming is encouraged.
Students applying to the department with an undergraduate degree only are encouraged to apply for the M.A./Ph.D. program if the Ph.D. is their final degree objective. Upon completion of the M.A. thesis, the student’s thesis committee chair will submit a recommendation to the department Graduate Committee regarding admission to the Ph.D. program. The Graduate Committee makes the final decision on admission or denial for those M.A. students wishing to continue into the Ph.D. program. Students who have been enrolled in the M.A./Ph.D. program for at least three regular academic quarters may petition to skip the M.A. and go directly into the Ph.D. program. The petition requires the approval of the student’s committee and the graduate advisor.
Applications are accepted for Fall only; the application deadline is December 15.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements: All M.A. students are required to take Geography 201 (every quarter offered), 200A-B-C, 210A-B-C, and 500 if they will be teaching assistants.
Unit Requirement: The M.A. degree may be obtained under either of two plans. Plan I requires 34 units, at least 20 in 200- and 500-level geography courses exclusive of Geography 201, 200A-B-C, 500, 597, 598, and 599; no more than half may be in 596. A thesis is required. Plan II requires 46 units, at least 24 in 200- and 500-level geography courses exclusive of Geography 201, 200A-B-C, 500, 597, 598, and 599; no more than half may be in 596. A final examination assessing general knowledge of geography and knowledge of the candidate’s chosen specialty area is required.
Doctor of Philosophy - Geography
Degree Requirements
All Ph.D. students must major in a systematic area of study and are expected to develop great depth in techniques areas but will be tested only in one technical area. No foreign language is required.
All doctoral candidates must serve as teaching assistants for at least one quarter.
Students will be required to take a diagnostic interview to assist in the preparation for undertaking a doctoral program in geography. Normally, students are required to take 201 every quarter offered, 200A-B-C and 210A-B-C. Before advancement to candidacy, students must pass both a written and an oral qualifying examination and secure approval of a dissertation proposal.
Following completion of doctoral research, students will prepare a dissertation which must be approved by each member of their Ph.D. committee.
After receipt of the final draft of the dissertation, a formal oral defense will be scheduled and announced to the department as a whole. The purpose of the defense will be to clarify segments of the dissertation and/or acquaint the candidate with the nature of any further work that needs to be undertaken prior to approval of dissertation.
Course Requirements: All Ph.D. students are required to take Geography 201 (every quarter until advanced to candidacy), 200A-B-C, 210A-B-C, and 500.
Optional Ph.D. Emphasis in Cognitive Science
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in this department may petition to add an emphasis in cognitive science. The interdisciplinary program in cognitive science involves faculty from the Ph.D. programs in Anthropology, Computer Science, Education, English, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Geography, Linguistics, Psychology, and Sociology and Statistics and Applied Probability. Its goal is to give students an appreciation of the interdisciplinary study of thinking, perception, and intelligent behavior, as determined jointly by the nature of the environment and by the internal architecture of the intelligent agent, whether human, animal, or machine. The program features a structured set of courses which are taught individually and collaboratively by faculty from a variety of disciplines.
Students who petition to add the emphasis in cognitive science must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the requirements of the Ph.D. in their home department: (1) participation for at least three quarters in proseminar Interdisciplinary 200; (2) completion of at least three cognitive science elective courses with one each in three different departments; (3) completion of either (a) a research project, completed before the dissertation, resulting in a publishable paper, or (b) an extramural grant proposal for a study in cognitive science suitable for submission to an identified granting agency; (4) presentation of a research paper in a suitable academic forum, such as an emphasis or departmental colloquium, or a professional meeting; and (5) a Ph.D. dissertation centrally focused on a question emerging from cognitive science with at least two committee members representing faculty participating in the cognitive science interdisciplinary emphasis.
Optional Ph.D. Emphasis in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in this department may petition to add an interdisciplinary emphasis in quantitative methods in the social sciences (QMSS). This new interdisciplinary emphasis involves faculty from the Ph.D. programs in Communication, Economics, Education, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Statistics and Applied Probability. The areas of specialization of the participating faculty include advanced regression modeling techniques, multivariate statistics, bootstrap estimation methods, demography, econometrics, psychometrics, social network theory, mathematical psychology, spatial statistics, survey research, and educational and psychological assessment. The QMSS emphasis helps students to attain the competencies needed to conduct quantitative social science research through core design and analysis classes, courses in advanced and specialized methodologies, and participation in interdisciplinary colloquia and research projects.
Each admitted student will develop, with his or her advisor, an individual contract listing the QMSS requirements to be completed. The contract must include the following:
- Two quarters of calculus, one quarter in linear algebra, and a one-year statistics sequence (These requirements can be waived if equivalent courses have already been completed).
- Attendance for at least three quarters at the ongoing QMSS seminar series, including presentation of at least one paper.
- Completion of at least three quantitative methods courses (excluding those listed above) or at least two of which are outside the student’s home department.
- A Ph.D. dissertation that is centrally focused on an issue that is appropriate to the QMSS emphasis. The dissertation may make a contribution to methodological theory or may involve an advanced or innovative application.
- A dissertation committee that includes at least one QMSS faculty member from outside the student’s home department.
Consult the department for additional information.
Optional PhD Emphasis in Transportation
Transportation Modeling and Simulation (TMS) is a specialty in the geography department integrating the three principal areas of training: Earth System Science (ESS), Modeling, Measurement, and Computation (MMC), and Human Environment Relations (HER). This special emphasis provides training in the methods used in transportation systems planning, design, and operations with key focus areas on data collection, modeling, and simulation. A variety of courses are available within the specialty and students belonging to the specialty have many opportunities for fellowships and research grants supporting their dissertation research. The specialty has required courses that are tailored to individual student background and research plan. Admission to this specialty follows the same criteria as the department of geography.
For more information, please contact coordinator: Kostas Goulias at goulias@geog.ucsb.edu.
UCSB/San Diego State University Joint Ph.D. Program
The Departments of Geography at San Diego State University (SDSU) and UCSB have joined resources to offer a distinctive doctoral program. It brings together the faculties and facilities of two outstanding institutions. Students will spend a minimum of one year on each campus and will normally finish their work at SDSU. The joint program will complement but not duplicate the existing Ph.D. program at UCSB, which will continue to function separately from the joint doctoral program. Applicants should see the joint doctoral program coordinator at SDSU.
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Geography Courses
2. World Regions
(4) Eakin
Open to non-majors. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
An examination of the interdependency, connectivity and diversity that characterizes world regions. The course explores the interactions of processes of global change with the environmental and social identities of individual landscapes, cities and peoples.
3A. Oceans and Atmosphere
(4) Siegel, Dickey, Still
Not open for credit to students who have completed Geography 3. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Introduction to the oceans and atmosphere and their role in the Earth’s climate and its weather patterns. Focus on the flows of solar energy through the ocean and atmosphere systems. Human impacts of the Earth’s climate are also introduced.
3B. Land, Water and Life
(4) Roberts, Smith, Chadwick, Still
Not open for credit to students who have completed Geography 3. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Study of the interactions among water, landforms, soil, and vegetation that create and modify the surface of the Earth. Impacts of physical environment on human societies and humans as agents of environmental change.
5. People, Place and Environment
(4) Montello, Sweeney, Carr, Eakin
Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Survey of spatial differentiation and organization of human activity and human interaction with the Earth’s biophysical systems. Sample topics include human spatial decision-making behavior, migration, population growth, economic development, industrial location, urbanization, and human impacts on the natural environment.
7. Oil and Water
(4) Gautier
Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours.
Oil and water are two key strategic resources dominating the international scene. This class provides an overview of global distribution of oil and water resources and analyzes some of the social, economic, and geopolitical ramifications of these distributions.
8. Living with Global Warming
(4) Gautier
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Overview of global warming and climate change processes. Description of complex relationships between scientific, technological, economic, social, political, and historical facets of global warming and climate change. Introduction to the concept and practice of climate modeling.
12. Maps and Mapping
(4) Clarke
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Surveys properties of maps, emphasizing map use and interpretation. Lecture topics include map abstraction, generalization, map projections, and symbolization. Special purpose maps, thematic maps, and the display of quantitative and qualitative information is considered.
14. Multimedia Production Using Maps and Images
(4) Staff
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Introductory course on production of web-based and printed materials using geographic data such as photos, images, maps, and graphs. Using a geographic theme which may vary by quarter (e.g., “rivers”), students learn image processing techniques using Photoshop, create web pages using Dreamweaver, and make presentations using PowerPoint.
20. Geography of Surfing
(4) Sweeney
Lecture, 3 hours.
Social and physical science concepts manifested in the sport of surfing. Topics include wave generation and forecasting, economics of the surf industry, spatial search, strategic behavior under crowding, territorialism, and the generation/diffusion of regional surf cultures.
20H. Field Studies in Surfing
(1) Sweeney
Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in Geography 20.
Open to non-majors. Fieldwork, 1 hour.
Field study methods from physical, human, and regional geography applied to surfing. Physical methods focus on coastal engineering: hydrographic surveys, wave measurement, etc. Human methods include spatial population distribution, attitude surveys, etc. Project or term paper, and presentation required.
95AA-ZZ. Basic Topics in Geography
(2-4) Staff
May be repeated once for credit provided subject matter differs. Tutorial, variable hours.
Geographic curriculum content that lies outside regularly scheduled courses. New classes under development or taught temporarily. Course number-letter combination reflects instructor. Content varies.
98. Basic Reading in Geography
(1-2) Staff
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Students must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Students are limited to 2 units per quarter and 30 units total in all 98/99/198/199/199AA-ZZ courses combined. Tutorial, variable hours.
Provides introductory directed inquiry into a topic of interest to the student.
99. Basic Independent Studies
(1-3) Staff
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Students must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Students are limited to 3 units per quarter and 30 units total in all 98/99/198/199/199AA-ZZ courses combined. Tutorial, variable hours.
Independent geographical research conducted under the guidance of Geography faculty. Topic and scope varies, to be specified by student and supervisory faculty member prior to registration.
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102. Introduction to Environmental Optics in Physical Geography
(5) Roberts
Prerequisites: Geography 3A-B and 115A.
Recommended preparation: high school trigonometry. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Basic physical principles of electromagnetic radiation in the environment and their application to physical geography and remote sensing. Radiative transfer in atmosphere, oceans, snow and ice, inland waters, rock, soil, and vegetation. Spectral signatures in remote sensing.
104. Physical Geography of the World’s Oceans
(4) Washburn
Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Introduction to the processes which control the circulation of the world’s oceans. Topics include: wind driven circulation, thermohaline circulation, water masses, waves, and tides.
108. Urban Geography
(4) Couclelis
Prerequisite: Geography 5. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Introduction to the study of the economic geography of cities and regions and its relation to planning: urbanization, internal structure of cities, settlement systems, regional growth and development, migration, transportation, housing.
109. Introduction to Economic Geography
(4) Sweeney
Prerequisite: Geography 5. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion 1 hour.
Introduction to the study of spatial economic theories with applications at the urban, regional, and global scales. Topics include settlement system dynamics and regional development, land economics and land use policies, and regional inequality and poverty.
110. Introduction to Meteorology
(4) Michaelsen
Prerequisite: Geography 3A. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion 1 hour.
An introduction to the dynamics of the earth’s atmosphere. Topics include: energy exchange mechanisms, energy balance, condensation and precipitation processes, the dynamics of pressure and wind systems, and the distributions of weather disturbances.
111A. Transportation Planning and Modeling
(4) Goulias
Prerequisite: Geography 5.
Recommended preparation: Geography 117 or equivalent, introductory probability and statistics. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Issues, problems, technologies, policies, plans, programs, and the transportation-environment relationship. Transportation systems simulation, trip-based and activity data collection and modeling. Applications in planning, design and operations. Lab: Critically examine transportation plans and programs; explore and analyze travel surveys.
111B. Transportation Modeling and Simulation
(4) Goulias
Prerequisite: Geography 111A.
Recommended preparation: A prior course in probability & statistics and regression methods; Economics 140A-B. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Multilevel data in time use, activity, and travel surveys. Revealed and stated choice data collection in laboratory/field studies. Regression models. Systems simulation. Applications in policy analysis and traffic operations. Lab: Data analysis to develop models for typical regional simulations. (W,S)
112. Environmental Hydrology
(4) Loaiciga
One one-day weekend fieldtrip required.
Recommended preparation: Geography 3B. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Analysis of the water cycle with emphasis on land-atmosphere interactions; precipitation-runoff, flood, snowmelt, and infiltration processes.
114A. Soil Science
(5) Chadwick
Prerequisites: Chemistry 1A-B; and, Geography 3B or Geology 2.
Same course as Environmental Studies 114A. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Introduction to the chemical, hydrological, and biological characteristics of soils, their global distribution, and their response to management. Field and laboratory projects are designed to provide an understanding of soil-landscape distribution, soil morphology, and the physical and chemical properties that influence management decisions.
114B. Soil Genesis and Classification
(5) Chadwick
Prerequisites: Geography 114A.
Same course as Environmental Studies 114B. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Introduction to the chemical, physical, and biological processes that produce soil and influence their management. The morphology, genesis, classification, and global distribution of soil will be emphasized. Labs cover field site selection, soil description, sampling, laboratory preparation of soil samples, and selected chemical and physical analyses.
115A. The Earth from Above
(5) Clarke, Schneider
Prerequisites: Geography 3A-B. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 4 hours.
Introduction to physical and cultural geographic phenomena as recorded by airborne and satellite remote sensing systems, with emphasis on photo interpretation skills. Lab involves analysis of current and historical aerial photographs and satellite images in hard copy and digital formats.
115B. Introduction to Remote Sensing
(5) Schneider
Prerequisites: Geography 115A with a minimum grade of C. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 4 hours.
A basic understanding of the acquisition and nature of satellite imagery and the tools required to process data from remote sensing systems. Topics include spectral and spatial enhancement, image classification, geometric and radiometric correction, with emphasis on applications. Lab: Analysis of Landsat and SPOT digital image data using image processing software.
115C. Intermediate Remote Sensing Techniques
(5) Schneider
Prerequisites: Geography 115B with a minimum grade of C. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 4 hours.
Examines information extraction and radiative transfer relevant to remote sensing, focusing on applications for environmental monitoring and natural resource management. Lab exercises develop skills for advanced processing of satellite data, including linear transforms, image correction, and change detection. Both commercial and public-domain software packages are employed.
116. Groundwater Hydrology
(5) Loaiciga
Same course as Geological Sciences 173.
Recommended preparation: Geography 3B. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Analysis of groundwater flow in aquifers, aquifer properties, study of wells and groundwater contamination, surface water-groundwater interactions. The laboratory: basic groundwater experiments, Darcy’s Law, flow nets, solute dispersion, field measurements of bedrock groundwater characteristics, computer analysis of pumping-test data.
117. Scientific Research Methods in Geography
(4) Montello
Prerequisites: Geography 5; and, Geography 3A or 3B. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Introduction to scientific research methods in human, physical, and techniques geography. Topics include: scientific logic and philosophy, physical measurement, surveys, experimental and nonexperimental research designs, computational modeling, sampling, data analysis and display, written and oral communication, and research ethics.
118. Cartographic Design
(4) Clarke
Not open for credit to students who have completed Geography 118B. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 4 hours.
Technical introduction to graphic representation of spatial information. Lectures cover principles of scientific visualization, graphic design, and thematic mapping for the GIS sciences. Labs involve design of digital maps using current graphic software on state-of-the-art workstations.
128. Analytical and Computer Cartography
(4) Clarke
Prerequisite: Geography 176A. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Using computers to create and analyze maps. Coding, storing and representing geographical data. Accessing spatial data over the Internet. Map data structures and transformations. Design and programming issues in map production.
133. Tropical Meteorology
(4) Michaelsen
Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in Geography 110. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Description of tropical atmosphere. High and low frequency variability: hurricanes, monsoon, El Niño, satellite observations, and modeling.
134. Earth System Science
(4) Gautier
Prerequisite: Geography 3A.
Recommended preparation: two upper-division physical geography courses. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Description of various components of earth system: climate and hydrologic systems, biogeochemical dynamics, ecological dynamics. Human interaction and global change. Observations and modeling of earth system.
135. Mock Environmental Summit
(4) Gautier
May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 12 units, but only 4 units count toward the major. Lecture, 3 hours.
A mock summit in which students act as representatives of different countries participating in environmental treaty negotiations. Students work in teams of four or five to prepare a presentation and discussion of environmental issues of concern to the world (e.g., energy, greenhouse gasses, etc.).
135S. Mock Environmental Summit
(4) Gautier
May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 12 units, but only 4 units count toward the major. This intensive course is taught for three weeks during the summer quarter only.
A mock summit in which students act as representatives of different countries participating in environmental treaty negotiations. This three-week course immerses students in the topic of global change and its associated policies thereby mimicking the pressures and intensity that exist at a real environmental summit.
140. Environmental Impacts in Human History
(4) Roberts
Prerequisites: Geography 3A or 3B; and Geography 5; upper-division and graduate students only. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion 1 hour.
Interactions between human history and the environment are explored. Example topics include early Earth history, long term climate change, the origin of agriculture, short term climate change, the origin and important of disease and invasive species.
141A. Population Geography
(4) Carr
Prerequisite: Geography 5 or equivalent course.
Not open for credit to students who have completed Geography 141. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion 1 hour.
Various geographic dimensions of human population dynamics: fertility, mortality, and migration. The concepts and language of demography are introduced. The causes and consequences of population dynamics are investigated, including links among population, environment, and development.
141B. Population and Development
(4) Sweeney
Prerequisite: Geography 141A.
Not open for credit to students who have completed Geography 143. Lecture, 3 hours.
A survey of global and regional patterns of demographic change and their connection to significant economic development issues. Basic methods of demographic analysis are introduced to study historical and current issues in population and development.
141C. California Population Analysis and Policy
(4) Sweeney
Prerequisite: Geography 141A. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Introduces methods of demographic analysis used in local/regional policy analysis and planning. Course modules focus on population policy issues in California; such as, immigration, K-12 enrollment planning, affordable housing/land preservation, and planning for an elderly population.
144. Forms, Process, and Human Use of Rivers
(4) KELLER, Mertes
Prerequisites: Mathematics 3A-B or 34A-B.
Same course as Environmental Studies 144.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Basic understanding of fluvial (river) hydrology. In-depth evaluation of channel form and fluvial processes and impact of human use on rivers.
145. Society and Hazards
(4) Eakin
Open to non-majors. Lecture, 3 hours.
Presents geographic approaches to the study of environmental hazards, exploring the evolution of theory and key concepts, causal processes, trends and patterns in the spatial distribution of vulnerability and hazard impacts, and the challenge of management and adaptation.
146. Introduction to Transporation
(4) Church
Prerequisite: Geography 5. Lecture, 3 hours.
Introduction to the analysis of inter- and intra-city passenger and freightmovements. Geographic and economic concepts are used to develop predictive and optimal design/maintenance models for the transportation system. Applications of the models are stressed.
148. California
(4) Michaelsen
Lecture, 3 hours.
The unique landscapes of California and the physical, cultural, and biotic processes which have produced them.
149. The California Channel Islands
(4) Still, Staff
Prerequisites: MCDB 1A-1AL and EEMB 2; or MCDB 20 or EEMB 20 or Geography 3A or 3B or Geology 2 or Environmental Studies 2.
Same course as Environmental Studies 111. Lecture, 3 hours.
Discussion of biological, geological, ecological, anthropological, and oceanographic characteristics of the Channel Islands area as well as the management and human uses of this region. Emphasis on islands and ocean waters off Southern California.
150. Geography of the United States
(4) Montello
Lecture, 3 hours.
Intensive study of the physical and cultural processes that have shaped and are shaping the landscapes of the United States.
153A. Behavioral Geography
(4) Golledge, Montello
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory 1 hour.
This course examines aspects of the human-environment interface, emphasizing behavioral processes in spatial contexts including spatial choice and decision making, consumer behavior, migration and other episodic movements, time budgets, spatial cognition, and cognitive mapping.
153B. Introduction to Spatial Decision Making and Behavior
(4) Golledge
Recommended preparation: Geography 5 or equivalent. Lecture, 3 hours, laboratory, 1 hour.
Introduction to the spatial decision making and behavior field. Includes environmental cognition; consumer spatial behavior; migration; space-time budgeting; destination and mode choice; risk and hazard perception; spatial preference. Laboratory sessions involve locational and city management simulation games.
153C. Environmental Perception and Cognition
(4) Montello
Prerequisites: Geography 5 or Psychology 1. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory 1 hour.
Research and theory on human perception and cognition of environments. Topics include spatial perception, spatial learning, knowledge structures, navigation and wayfinding, language and spatial cognition, map use, the spatial skills of special populations, and other issues.
153D. Spatial Decisions in Retailing
(4) church
Lecture, 3 hours.
Applications of spatial decision making and behavior to retail systems: site selection, site evaluation, trade area estimation, and spatial dimensions of retailing.
153E. The Geography of Everyday Life
(4) Golledge
Prerequisite: Geography 5. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
People have a common sense understanding of geographical environments. This course explores such understandings, formalizes the spatial dimensions and relations of everyday activities, and relates them to human spatial abilities.
155. Geography of Latin America
(4) Carr
Prerequisite: Geography 5 or Global Studies 1 or 2 or Environmental Studies 1 or 2 or 3. Lecture, 3 hours.
El Pueblo, a vila, li tenamit: however you call where you live, geography matters. Why are human and physical patterns inscribed where they are on the Latin American landscape? And what are the economic, political, social, and environmental causes and consequences of human-environment interactions across the diverse regions of Latin America?
158. Geography of the California Current
(4) Siegel
Prerequisites: Geography 3A-B.
Recommended preparation: Geography 104. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Introduction to the marine resources off the California coast. The interplay of oceanographic, climatic, biogeochemical and geologic factors and the influences of humankind will be addressed. Topics include: climate, circulation, biogeography, fisheries, marine mammals, petroleum, pollution, and exploration history.
161. World Agriculture, Food, and Population
(4) Cleveland
Prerequisites: upper-division standing.
Same course as Anthropology 149 and Environmental Studies 149. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Evolution, current status, and alternative futures of agriculture, food and population worldwide. Achieving environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable food systems; soil, water, crops, energy and labor; diversity, stability and ecosystems management; farmer and scientist knowledge and collaboration; common property management.
159. Geography of Europe
(4) Couclelis
Lecture, 3 hours.
A systematic approach to the study of the human and physical resources of Europe. Special emphasis placed on the spatial aspects of urban, economic, and social processes.
161. World Agriculture, Food, and Population
(4) Cleveland
Prerequisite: upper-division standing.
Same course as Anthropology 149 and Environmental Studies 149.
Evolution, current status, and alternative futures of agriculture, food and population worldwide. Achieving environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable food systems; soil, water, crops, energy and labor; diversity, stability and ecosystems management; farmer and scientist knowledge and collaboration; common property management.
162A. Environmental Water Quality
(4) Loaiciga
Same course as Environmental Studies 162A.
Recommended preparation: Geography 3B, lower-division biology, and chemistry. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Study of the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of natural waters, analysis of water pollution and treatment, water-quality regulation. The laboratory: independent research and supervised research of water pollutants and water treatment, quantitative analysis of water-quality data and one-day field work.
163. Ocean Circulation
(4) Siegel, Washburn
Prerequisite: Geography 104.
Not open for credit to students who have completed Geography 163A. Lecture, 3 hours.
Examination of the general circulation of the oceans and its impact on global climate and climate change. Topics include properties of seawater, forces driving ocean currents, wind and buoyancy generation of basin scale circulations, and their impact on global climate.
165. Waves and Tides in the Ocean
(4) Washburn, Siegel
Prerequisite: Geography 104.
Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Examination of waves and tides in the ocean. Topics include surface waves, wave generation, internal waves, tides and tide raising forces. Measurement techniques are also discussed.
166. Physical Climatology
(4) Michaelsen
Prerequisite: Geography 110 with a minimum
grade C.
Recommended preparation: Mathematics 3C or equivalent. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Study of the processes which create the earths climate. Flows of energy and material in the atmosphere and interactions with the surface. Large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns. Spatial and temporal variability. Climate modeling.
167. Biogeography: The Study of Plant and Animal Distributions
(4) Still
Prerequisite: Geography 3A or 3B or Environmental Studies 2 or EEMB 2 or Geology 2.
Same course as Environmental Studies 167.
Recommended preparation: a prior course in EEMB. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Basic processes governing geographic distribution patterns of biota, including migration, evolution, isolation, and endemism. Biogeographic regions and their histories and an introduction to island biogeography. Emphasis on plants and plant geography. One one-day field trip.
169. Cultural and Biological Diversity of Food Plants
(4) Cleveland
Prerequisite: upper-division standing.
Same course as Anthropology 158 and Environmental Studies 158.
Recommended preparation: Geography 161 or Environmental Studies 149 or Anthropology 149. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
The evolution of food plants from domestication to genetic engineering. Patterns of diversity around the world in small-scale, traditionally- based and industrial communities. Class participation in project on local olive diversity includes field work.
170. Introduction to Vegetation Analysis
(4) Still, Staff
Prerequisites: Geography 3B and 167. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Theory and application of natural vegetation classification, ordination, mapping, and inventorying. Includes application of remote sensing, field sampling techniques and data analysis. Lab involves calculation and computation methods and implementation of computer programs for vegetation analysis.
171BT. Biotechnology, Food, and Agriculture
(4) Cleveland
Prerequisite: upper-division standing.
Same course as Anthropology 166BT and Environnmental Studies 166BT. Course offered every other year.
Recommended preparation: Geography 161 or Environmental Studies 149 or Anthropology 149. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Social, cultural, ethical, biological, and environmental issues surrounding biotechnology (BT) and the food system. Includes theory and method of BT; scientific, social and political control of BT; effect of BT on genetic diversity, small-scale farmers, the environment, food supply, consumer health.
171FP. Small-Scale Food Production
(5) Cleveland
Prerequisite: Geography 161 or Environmental Studies 149 or Anthropology 149.
Same course as Anthropology 166FP and Environmental Studies 166FP. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Biological, ecological, social, and economic principles of small-scale food production and their practical applications. Includes each student cultivating a garden plot; lab exercises, field trips to local farms and gardens.
172. Intermediate Geographical Data Analysis
(5) Kyriakidis
Prerequisites: PSTAT 5AA-ZZ or EEMB 30 or Psychology 5 or Communication 87. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Statistical analysis of geographical data. Topics include spatial auto-correlation, multiple regression in a spatial context, and introductory methods for the statistical analysis of point, area (lattice) and continuous spatial data. Lab includes the use of statistical software for carrying out analyses of various spatial data types.
175. Environmental Data Analysis
(4) Roberts
Prerequisites: Geography 3A, 3B, and 110.
Recommended preparation: Geography 102. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Introduction to measurement and interpretation of physical-environmental data (temperature, humidity, precipitation) and integrated environmental measures (e.g. potential evapotranspiration). Working with micrometeorological towers deployed across an environmental gradient, students develop and test hypothesis using real-time tower data.
176A. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
(4) Clarke
Recommended preparation: Geography 12 and 14.
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Introduction to modern spatial data processing, development, implementation, and functions of geographic information systems; relations between GIS and remote sensing; and applications of geographic information systems to a variety of environmental issues.
176B. Technical Issues in Geographic Information Systems
(4) Goodchild
Prerequisites: Geography 176A with a minimum grade of C; concurrent enrollment in Geography 176BL. Lecture, 3 hours.
Study of the technical issues underlying Geographic Information Systems, including coordinate systems and analytic geometry, database models and structures, algorithms and analytical procedures.
176BL. Lab in Geographic Information Systems I
(1) Goodchild
Prerequisites: Geography 176A with a minimum grade of C; concurrent enrollment in Geography 176B. Laboratory, 3 hours.
Laboratory analysis of digital geographic information from physical and social sources, emphasizing the use of standard geographic information system software to illustrate techniques of spatial analysis, map digitizing, digital map display, and decision support.
176C. GIS Design and Applications
(5) Staff
Prerequisites: Geography 176B with a minimum grade of C. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours..
Applying GIS theory and techniques to solve spatial problems in land and resource management, utilities and municipal government. Lectures cover all stages of a GIS project (e.g., planning, design, analysis, and presentation results). In labs, students collaborate in groups to design, develop and present a GIS pilot study.
180. Geography of the Information Society
(4) Couclelis
Prerequisite: Geography 5; upper-division standing.
Recommended preparation: Geography 108.
Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Examination of urban, regional, and global trends in human activity and interaction caused by the spread of electronic technologies. Topics include land-use change, telecommuting, the “virtual geographies” of the Internet, issues of democracy and power, planning in the information age.
182. Global Cities in the Information Age
(4) Couclelis
Prerequisite: Geography 5. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Study of the economic, social, and political networks that link together cities of global importance. Specializations and roles of global cities in the information age economy. Examination of individual cities at the top tiers of the global urban hierarchy.
184A. Introduction to Cartographic Programming
(4) Clarke
Prerequisite: Computer Science 12. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 4 hours.
Introduces the student to cartographic programming principles. Instruction will emphasize structured decomposition, device independence and reusability in cartographic software. Lab work will provide students with hands-on experience with implementing a reusable cartographic library.
184C. Geographic Visualization
(4) Staff
Prerequisite: Geography 12 or 118 or 176A. Lecture, 3 hours.
Examines current issues and approaches in cartography and geographic visualization (GVIS), focusing on the use of visual representations to facilitate thinking, problem solving and decision making in cartography. Labs provide hands-on experience in constructing interactive cartographic visualization with current hardware and software.
185A. Geography Planning and Policy Making
(4) Couclelis
Prerequisite: Geography 5 or Environmental Studies 116. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Relevance of geographic knowledge and skills to aspects of planning and policy making. Includes review of core concepts in decision making, planning theory, systems analysis, information systems, urban and regional modeling, forecasting, impact analysis, implementation of decisions, planning policies.
185B. Environmental Issues and Location Decision Making
(4) Church
Prerequisite: Geography 3A or 3B or 5 or Environmental Studies 135A. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Introduction to decision making techniques with regard to land use allocation and planning. Special emphasis on addressing conflicts involving environmental concerns and multiple objectives. Examples involving water resources development, corridor location (rights-of-way, e.g., transmission lines), preservation of endangered species, disposal of solid waste, and power plant siting are presented.
185C. Local and Regional Economic Analysis
(4) Sweeney
Prerequisite: Geography 108 or 109. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Introduces methods of economic analysis used in local/regional policy analysis and planning. Course modules focus on planning and policy issues in California related to interregional income equality, industry structure/competitiveness, and regional occupational labor markets.
185D. Urban and Environmental System Analysis
(4) Church
Prerequisite: Geography 3A or 3B or 108.
Recommended preparation: Mathematics 3A or 34A. Lecture, 3 hours.
Applications of operations research techniques and decision analysis in structuring approaches to urban environmental problems. Examples are drawn from problems in facility location, regional models, transportation and other networks, utility corridors and similar problems.
190. Location Theory and Modeling
(4) Church
Prerequisite: Geography 5 or 108.
Recommended preparation: Mathematics 3A or 34A. Lecture, 3 hours.
A survey of the basic types of location problems encountered in the modern world and techniques used by analysts in government and industry to solve such problems. Relationships to Classic Location Theory and Models will be stressed. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with actual location models on a computer.
191. Introduction to Optimization Methods for Geographic Problems
(4) Church
Prerequisites: Mathematics 3A or 34A; upper-division standing. Lecture, 3 hours.
Introduction to “Operations Research” methods that are used in the analysis of geographic problems, including linear programming, network, integer programming, and dynamic programming. Example problems involving spatial and temporal decision making are emphasized.
191L. Laboratory in Optimization Methods for Geographic Problems
(1) Church
Prerequisite: Geography 191 (may be taken concurrently). Laboratory, 1 hour.
Computer laboratory utilizing special optimization programs and computer graphics devices.
193. Internship in Geography
(1-4) Staff
Prerequisites: upper-division standing in geography; consent of department.
Students must have an overall grade-point average of 3.0. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 12 units but only 4 units may count toward the major. Field, 3-12 hours.
Practical experience and research on geographical problems under faculty direction as interns with local, state, and federal agencies, with private research and development firms, and with other business organizations. Periodic and final reports required.
194. Field Studies in Geography
(1-4) Staff
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
May be repeated for credit. May require course fee. Field, 10-40 hours.
Field-based investigation of the geographic characteristics of specific places and regions. Human and/or physical phenomena may be emphasized. Field trips may include visits to parks, industrial sites, government facilities, wildlands, or urban areas. Scope, emphasis, and requirement subject to change.
195AA-ZZ. Selected Topics in Geography
(2-4) Staff
Prerequisite: upper-division standing in geography.
May be repeated once for credit provided subject matter differs. Lecture, 2-4 hours.
Geographic curriculum content that lies outside regularly scheduled courses. New classes under development or taught temporarily. Course number-letter combination reflects instructor. Content varies.
198. Readings in Geography
(1-2) Staff
Prerequisites: upper-division standing; completion of at least two upper-division courses in geography; consent of instructor.
Students must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. May be repeated to a maximum of 10 units; no more than 5 may be applied to the major. Students are limited to 5 units per quarter and 30 units total in all 98/99/198/199/199AA-ZZ courses combined.
Designed to provide in-depth directed inquiry into a topic of interest to the student.
199. Independent Studies in Geography
(1-5) Staff
Prerequisites: upper-division standing; completion of at least two upper-division courses in geography; consent of instructor.
Students must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. May be repeated to a maximum of 10 units; no more than 5 may be applied to the major. Students are limited to 5 units per quarter and 30 units total in all 98/99/198/199/199AA-ZZ courses combined. Geography 199 is considered an honors course and is required for those seeking distinction in the major.
Independent geographical research conducted under the guidance of Geography faculty. Topic and scope varies, to be specified by student and supervisory faculty member prior to registration.
199RA. Independent Research Assistance in Geography
(1-5) Staff
Prerequisites: upper-division standing; completion of at least two upper-division courses in geography; consent of instructor.
Students must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. May be repeated to a maximum of 10 units; no more than 5 may be applied to the major. Students are limited to 5 units per quarter and 30 units total in all 98/99/198/199/199AA-ZZ courses combined.
Selected research under the direction of a faculty member.
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200A. Introduction to Geographic Research
(2) Staff
Required of all geography graduate students. Normally taken in fall quarter of entering academic year. Lecture, 2 hours.
Presentation and discussion by department faculty of research areas in the department. Systematic and technique areas of emphasis will be presented, as well as department facilities and research collaborations with other institutions.
200B. Introduction to Geographic Research
(4) Staff
Prerequisites: Geography 200A or approval of Graduate Committee.
Required of all geography graduate students. Normally taken in winter quarter of entering academic year. Seminar, 3 hours.
Fundamental issues of research in geography and related areas: the geographic perspective, scientific reading/writing and problem formulation, research techniques, the scientific enterprise, and science and society.
200C. Introduction to Geographic Research
(2) Staff
Prerequisites: Geography 200A or approval of Graduate Committee; and Geography 200B.
Required of all geography graduate students. Normally taken in spring quarter of entering academic year. Seminar, 2 hours; tutorial, 1 hour.
Directed readings and research leading to a draft thesis proposal (MA students) or a systematic literature review in prospective dissertation area (Ph.D. students); participation in seminars discussing ongoing graduate research.
201. Seminar in Geography
(2) Staff
Required of all geography graduate students every quarter offered. Seminar, 3 hours.
A series of lectures and seminars on diverse research topics in human and physical geography, by visiting speakers or department faculty.
201Q. Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences Colloquium
(2) Sweeney
Same course as Sociology 212Q, PSTAT 250, and ED 212. May be repeated for credit. Lecture, 2 hours.
Required course for students in the Interdisciplinary Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences emphasis.
202A. Remote Sensing and Environmental Optics
(5) Roberts
Prerequisites: Geography 115A. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory 3 hours.
Principles of radiation emission; radiative transfer equation and some solution methods; surface interactions; instrumentation; applications to remote sensing and energy budgets in atmosphere, ocean, and other media.
205. Seminar in Environmental Geography
(2-4) Staff
Lecture, 3 hours.
Intensive reading and discussion on current topics in environmental geography. Sample areas of focus include environmental philosophy, human ideas of nature, and human-induced environmental change.
208. Water Resource Systems Analysis
(4) Loaiciga
Recommended preparation: Geography 112 and 116; upper-division calculus and statistics; computer programming or object-oriented programming desired (Matlab, Mathematica, Excel). Lecture, 3 hours.
Quantitative methods (operations research, applied mathematics and statistics, numerical simulation) are used to analyze and synthesize complex water resources systems. Topics include economic analysis, hydropower, flood control, groundwater management, and reservoirs.
209. Pedology
(4) Chadwick
Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in Geography 209L. Lecture, 3 hours.
A process-based quantitative study of soil development as driving variables of climate, biota, lithology, topography and geologic time. Emphasis on interactions among soil and other earth system components: atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere.
210A. Analytical Methods in Geography I
(4) Siegel
Prerequisite: Geography 172-172L or equivalents. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Introduction to analytical methods for geography research. Topics include: calculus, differential equations and linear algebra. Emphasis is placed on solving geographically relevant problems and their documentation.
210B. Analytical Methods in Geography II
(4) Michaelsen
Prerequisite: Geography 210A.
Not open for credit to students who have completed Geography 206. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Statistical principles and practice of analyzing geographical data. Topics include bivariate and multiple regression and other multivariate techniques. Emphasis on exploratory data analysis and graphical techniques.
210C. Analytical Methods in Geography III
(4) Kyriakidis
Prerequisite: Geography 210B. Lecture, 3 hours.
Overview of key concepts in spatial statistics, including measures of spatial association and models for spatial regression, point processes and random fields. Geostatistical methods for analysis and interpolating continuous and area (lattice) data.
211A. Transportation Planning & Modeling
(4) Goulias
Prerequisite: introductory probability and statistics. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours.
Issues, problems, technologies, policies, plans, and the transportation-environment relationship. Transportation systems simulation, trip-based and activity data collection and model building. Applications in planning, design and operations. Lab: Critically examine transportation plans and programs and explore travel surveys. Lectures same as 111A; graduate students write an issue paper on modeling and discuss it in class.
211B. Transportation Modeling & Simulation
(5) Goulias
Prerequisite: Geography 211A.
Recommended preparation: Geography 210B-C or equivalent. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Transportation data collection and travel survey design. Revealed and stated choice data and their collection in laboratory and field studies. Regression models and systems simulation. Applications in policy analysis and traffic operations. Lab: Data analysis to develop models used in typical regional simulation.
211C. Activity and Travel Behavior Analysis
(4) Goulias
Prerequisite: Geography 211B.
Recommended preparation: Geography 210C or equivalent. Seminar, 3 hours.
Time-use, activity analysis, and travel behavior in space, time, and social context. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data collection and data analysis with emphasis on the use of time, travel, technology, information, and telecommunication. Applications using simultaneous equations, multilevel, latent class, and structural equations models.
214A. Advanced Remote Sensing: Optical
(5) Roberts
Prerequisite: Geography 213. Lecture, 3 hours, laboratory, 2 hours.
Optical remote sensing (Vis/NIR, Thermal). Discussion of advanced sensors, techniques, modeling and applications in each spectral region. Includes a set of computer-based laboratory exercises. A final paper and oral presentation of a research project using remote sensing is required.
214B. Advanced Remote Sensing: Microwave
(5) Roberts
Prerequisite: Geography 213. Lecture, 3 hours, laboratory, 2 hours.
Microwave remote sensing (Active and Passive). Discussion of advanced sensors, techniques, modeling and applications in the microwave. Includes a set of computer-based laboratory exercises. A final paper and oral presentation of a research project using remote sensing is required.
220. Seminar in Regional Analysis
(4) Couclelis
Prerequisites: Geography 172-172L.
Seminar, 4 hours.
Study of current research in regional analysis. The topic will differ each year and will be announced in advance.
221. Research Methods in Human Geography
(4) Montello
Prerequisites: Geography 200A-B-C (may be taken concurrently). Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
Logic and techniques of conducting empirical research in human geography. Covers hypothesis formulation, literature sources, data collection (including surveys), experimental and non-experimental design, data analysis, and ethical treatment of human subjects.
224. Methods of Regional Analysis
(4) Sweeney
Prerequisites: Geography 108 and 185B. Seminar, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Advanced seminar in methods of regional economic and population analysis. The population module covers the theory and construction of the multi-regional life table and projection model. The economic module reviews input-output models, regional econometric models, and CGE models. Other topics include data availability, incomplete data analysis, and demo-economic models.
225. Urban Problems
(4) Couclelis
Recommended preparation: Geography 108
and 153B. Lecture, 1 hour, seminar, 2 hours.
Detailed studies of selected social, economic, and physical problems related to modern cities.
229. Environmental Perception and Cognition
(4) Montello
Prerequisite: graduate standing. Lecture, 2 hours, laboratory, 1 hour.
Theories and methods related to acquiring, representing, and analyzing knowledge of complex large-scale environments.
230. Behavioral Geography
(4) Golledge, Couclelis
Recommended preparation: Geography 153A and/or 153C. Seminar, 3 hours.
Survey of behavioral approaches in a variety of areas of geography.
231. Cognitive Issues in Geographic Information Science
(4) Couclelis, Montello
Prerequisite: graduate standing. Seminar, 3 hours.
Theory and research on cognitive issues in geographic information science. Perception, memory, reasoning, communication, human factors in digital worlds.
234. Seminar in Cartography
(4) Clarke
Prerequisite: Geography 118. Seminar, 4 hours.
Study and critique of advanced research work in cartography. Topic will vary from year to year.
240. Mock Environmental Summit
(5) Gautier
Prerequisites: Geography 3A-B, or equivalent with a grade of C or better; and 2 upper-division geography courses.
Intensive course lasting 3 weeks during the summer and 5 weeks during the winter quarter.
Summit in which students act as expert scientists of different countries that participate in environmental treaty negotiations. Graduate students advise undergraduates, write documents, write presentations, ensure that science is understood and play a role in the negotiations.
241A. Population Geography
(4) Carr
Not open for credit to students who have completed Geography 241. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours.
Advanced substantive investigation of the geography of human population. The geographical dimensions of fertility, mortality and migration are explored. Important recent and classic demographic literature is reviewed.
241B. Population, Development, and the Environment
(4) Sweeney, Carr
Lecture, 3 hours.
Exploration of global and regional patterns of demographic change especially as they relate to significant economic development or environmental issues. Course readings are selected to provide a broad overview of current research frontiers in addition to classic readings.
241C. Spatial Demography
(4) Sweeney
Prerequisites: Geography 210A, 210B, and 210C or equivalent.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour.
An introduction to mathematical and statistical demography. Primary emphasis is on spatially-explicit methods: multiregional life tables, multiregional projection, spatial statistics/econometrics applied to population, and life course analysis of migration. Matlab and SAS are used for applications.
242. Land Use - Land Cover Change
(4) Schneider
Seminar, 3 hours.
Examines land use-land cover changes across ecosystems. Theoretical and methodological challenges to linking biophysical, socio-economic, and remote sensing/GIS analysis. Seminar includes review of current literature focusing on detection and monitoring, driving forces, and impacts of land modifications.
244. Society and Hazards
(4) Eakin
Prerequisite: graduate standing. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.
Reviews of the contribution of human geography to the study of hazard risk, vulnerability, mitigation and adaptation. Classic and new theoretical and empirical literature is explored, emphasizing the connection between development processes, social equity and hazard vulnerability.
246. Earth System Science: Hydrologic Modeling
(4) Loaiciga
Recommended preparation: Geography 112 and 116; upper-division calculus and statistics; computer or object-oriented programming desired (Matlab, Excel). Lecture, 3 hours; Laboratory, 2 hours.
Quantitative and computational study of land-atmosphere hydrologic interactions; modeling of surface water and groundwater processes, regional groundwater systems and solute transport.
253. Global Warming: Causes and Consequences
(4) Gautier
Prerequisite: Geography 134.
Physical processes involved in global warming: carbon dioxide increase and uptake; role of clouds, oceans and biosphere; consequences: sea level changes, hydrological cycle intensification, etc. Climate modeling and predictions.
255. Geography of Latin America
(4) Carr
Lecture, 3 hours.
This graduate seminar supplements Geography 155 with a further exploration of primary texts probing historical and spatial patterns of society, politics, demographics, and the environment with an emphasis on human-environment interactions. Students are responsible for participating in class discussions on the assigned readings, for a term paper, and class presentation.
260. Seminar in Global Biogeochemical Cycles
(4) Still
Prerequisite: graduate standing. Seminar, 3 hours.
Examination of the global cycles of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and water; focus is on terrestrial environments; topics include photosynthesis, respiration, and interactions of humans with these cycles.
261. Ocean Optics
(4) Dickey, Siegel
Lecture, 3 hours.
An examination of the optical properties and radiative transfers in natural waters. Applications discussed include modeling of solar radiation penetration, relectance and transmittance at the air-sea interface, and ocean color remote sensing.
262. Upper Ocean Physical Processes
(4) Siegel, Washburn
Prerequisite: Geography 263.
May be repeated for credit with changes in content and methods. Lecture, 3 hours.
Detailed studies of upper ocean dynamics and physical processes. Topics may include mesoscale dynamics, mixed layer modeling, radiative transfer, turbulent mixing processes, and internal waves.
263. Introduction to Physical Oceanography
(4) Dickey, Siegel, Washburn
Lecture, 3 hours.
A graduate-level introduction to physical oceanography. Topics discussed include: properties of sea water, derivation and application of the equations of motion for a rotating planet, and the dynamics of wind- and buoyancy-driven general circulation.
264. Seminar in Oceanography
(2) Dickey, Siegel, Washburn
Prerequisites: Geography 163 or 263; and, Geography 265. Seminar, 2 hours.
Graduate seminar in physical, optical, and biological oceanography.
266. Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences
(4) Michaelsen
Prerequisite: graduate standing. Lecture, 3 hours; seminar, 1 hour.
Fundamentals in atmospheric processes that are important for understanding the role of the atmosphere in earth’s climate and biogeochemistry. Graduate-level introduction to radiation, dynamics, clouds, chemistry, and how they interact.
275. Seminar in Geographical Information Systems
(4) Goodchild
Seminar, 4 hours.
Study of current trends in geographically oriented information processing systems.
276. Geographical Time Series Analysis
(3) Washburn
Prerequisite: Geography 172.
Not available for credit to students who have completed Geography 276B. Lecture, 3 hours.
Introduction to time series analysis in geography. Topics will include spatial and temporal sampling, fast fourier transform techniques, linear systems, and digital filtering.
277. Spatial Environmental Modeling
(4) Roberts
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
May be repeated for credit provided topics are different. Seminar, 3 hours.
Seminar covering topics in spatial environmental modeling. Integrates techniques such as remote sensing and GIS into modeling of spatial processes. Topics include biogeochemical cycles, hydrology, species distribution and habitat disturbance.
278. Practice of Geostatistical Modeling of Spatial Data
(5) Kyriakidis
Prerequisites: Geography 172 or equivalent, and Geography 274.
Not available for credit to students who have completed Geography 276A. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Practice of geostatistics on large environmental data sets using MATLAB. Methods for modeling spatial patterns, integrating spatial data across multiple spatial scales, and simulating complex spatial distributions.
279. Seminar in Geostatistics: Advanced Topics in Spatial Statistics
(3) Kyriadkidis
Prerequisite: Geography 278 or equivalent.
Not available for credit to students who have completed Geography 276C. May be repeated for credit. Seminar, 3 hours.
Research frontiers in geostatistics, and innovative application of spatial statistics to the analysis of geographical data.
280. Seminar on Climate Change
(2-4) Gautier, Siegel, Still
Seminar, 3 hours.
A series of lectures and seminars on diverse research topics on climate change.
288AA-ZZ. Special Topics in Geography
(2-4) Staff
Prerequisite: graduate standing. Seminar, variable hours.
Geographic curriculum content that lies outside regularly scheduled courses. New classes under development or taught temporarily. Course number-letter combination reflects instructor. Content varies.
290. Urban and Environmental Systems Analysis
(4) Church
Prerequisite: Geography 185B or Economics 1. Lecture, 4 hours.
Applications of operations research techniques and decision analysis in structuring approaches to urban and environmental problems. Examples are drawn from problems in facility location, regional models, transportation and other networks, utility corridors, and similar problems.
291. Optimization Models for Geographic Problems
(4) Church
Prerequisite: Mathematics 3A or 5A or 34A. Lecture, 3 hours.
Survey of advanced optimization techniques with applications to geographical problems. Methods include advanced topics in linear programming, dynamic programming, integer programming, networks, and queuing.
294. Advanced Topics in Location and Transportation Systems
(4) Church
Prerequisite: Geography 190 or 191 or 291.
May be repeated for credit with changes in content, methods, and applications areas examined. Lecture, 4 hours.
Study of current research and application of systems models in the analysis, design, operation, and scheduling of transport and location
problems.
295. Advanced Topics in Pedology
(4) Chadwick
Prerequisite: Geography 209.
May be repeated for credit with changes in content, methods, and applications areas examined. Seminar, 3 hours.
Intensive reading and discussions of current topics in soil-geomorphology, soil-geochemistry, and quantitative modeling of soil processes.
295A. Soils and Ecosystems
(3) Chadwick
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Same course as EEMB 295A. Seminar, 3 hours.
Development of the links between the biological and inorganic components of the soil. Water availability and nutrients control plant and soil microbial communities. These in turn affect the soil by enhancing weathering and modifying the local chemical environment.
296. Technical Issues in Geographic Information Systems
(5) Goodchild
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
Study of the technical issues underlying Geographic Information Systems, including coordinate systems and analytic geometry, database models and structures, algorithms and analytical procedures.
500. Teaching Assistant Training
(4) Staff
May be repeated for credit. Seminar, 2 hours; laboratory, 1 hour; preparation, 1 hour.
Compulsory course for new teaching assistants to examine geographic teaching methods. Emphasis on use of special equipment and facilities in the department, teaching aids, examination preparation and grading, student advising, and special problems.
595. Seminar in Marine Science
(2) Dickey, ALldredge
A series of lectures and seminars on diverse research topics in marine science.
596. Directed Reading and Research
(2-8) Staff
Prerequisites: consent of instructor and department chair.
No more than half the graduate units necessary for the master’s degree may be taken in Geography 596. Preparation, 2-8 hours.
Individual tutorial. Instructor is usually student’s major professor.
597. Individual Study for Ph.D. Examinations
(1-12) Staff
Prerequisites: consent of instructor and graduate advisor.
S/U grade. Maximum of 12 units per quarter; enrollment limited to 24 units total. Variable hours.
Instructor should be student’s major professor or chair of the doctoral committee.
598. Master’s Thesis Research and Preparation
(1-12) Staff
Prerequisites: consent of instructor and grad advisor.
S/U grading. Preparation, 1-12 hours.
Research toward and writing of thesis.
599. Ph.D. Dissertation Research and Preparation
(1-12) Staff
Prerequisites: consent of instructor and graduate advisor.
S/U grading. Preparation, 1-12 hours.
Research toward and writing of dissertation. Instructor should be chair of student’s doctoral committee.
