Geography
Minor or Integrative Studies Concentration only
Geography is an integrative discipline that focuses on the interrelationships between the physical and human environments.
Geographers investigate the physical landscape (e.g., landforms, climate, biosphere) and spatial patterns of human activity within the environment (e.g., urbanization, migration, spread of diseases, desertification, global change). By integrating the physical and the human environments, Geographers bring a unique perspective to the study of pressing societal problems and issues, such as natural disaster relief and urban sprawl. This perspective is strongly enhanced by a suite of spatial analytical tools (e.g., cartography, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems). With its spatial analytical tools and broad perspectives on the physical and cultural world, geography provides useful skills and knowledge for students in a variety of fields from urban and land use planning to business, resource management, and international development.
Geographic knowledge and thinking enables one to understand the constantly changing places, people, patterns, and connections in the world today. There has never been a time of more mobility of people, information, and ideas, which makes understanding the spatial context of places and interactions very important.
A student must complete the following requirements for the minor or concentration in geography:
Minor or Integrative Studies Concentration Requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from physical geography: | 3 | |
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Landforms | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Select one course from human geography: | 3 | |
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Geography of the United States | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Required courses
12 credits from the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 302 | Mapping Our World | 3 |
| Select nine credit hours from any of the following (CAGY): | 9 | |
Physical Geography courses: | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Field Methods | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Groundwater Hydrology | ||
Human Geography courses: | ||
| Urban Economics | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Global Cities | ||
| American City | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
Regional Geography courses: | ||
| Geography of Western Europe | ||
| Michigan Geography | ||
Geospatial Techniques courses: | ||
| Intro to GIS | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Advanced GIS Applications | ||
Other courses: | ||
| Topics in Geography | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for the minor/concentration. The GPA is based on all coursework required within the minor (excluding prerequisites).
- A minimum of 9 credits must be completed at UM-Dearborn for a 12 credit minor/concentration.
- A minimum of 12 credits must be completed at UM-Dearborn for a 15 or more credit minor/concentration.
- Courses within a minor/concentration cannot be taken as Pass/Fail (P/F)
- Only 3 credit hours of independent study or internship may be used to fulfill the requirements for a 12 credit hour minor/concentration. Only 6 credit hours of such credit may be used in a 15 or more credit hour minor/concentration.
- Minors requiring 12 credits may share one course with a major. Minors requiring 15 credits or more may share two courses with a major. This does not apply to concentrations for the Integrative Studies major.
GEOG 201 Cultural Geography 3 Credit Hours
Overview of the major components of culture such as language, religion, agriculture, settlement patterns, and related landscape features in a spatial context. Emphasis on how various cultures perceive and interact with the environment. (F).
GEOG 203 Weather and Climate 3 Credit Hours
The controls and conditions of Earth's weather and climate including atmospheric circulation, precipitation processes, severe weather, climatic regions, and climatic change. (F).
GEOG 204 Landforms 3 Credit Hours
Processes and agents that shape the landscapes and landforms of the Earth's surface. The discussion of landforms is divided into two parts: (1) constructive processes and their spatial distribution and (2) gradational processes and their spatial distribution. (W).
GEOG 205 Geography of the United States 3 Credit Hours
A regional analysis of the United States that stresses the difference in the physical elements of landscapes that explain differences in economic development, cultural attainment, and land use and which, in turn, motivate regional interdependencies and interrelationships. (W).
GEOG 206 World Regional Geography 3 Credit Hours
World Regional Geography includes a systematic study of the world's geographic realms and regions, including Europe, Russia, Australia-New Zealand, East Asia, South Asia, Southwest Asia, N Africa, Subsaharan Africa, Middle and South America. Geographic concepts, such as map reading and spatial analysis, are first introduced. Then, the world is classified into geographic realms and regions using both physical and social criteria. Each region results from a unique interaction between the human societies and the physical environment. The physical, cultural, political, economic and social features of each region are studied, along with any special regional concerns or problems.
GEOG 300 Urban Geography 3 Credit Hours
The geography of human settlement and urbanization. Particular emphasis is placed on human transformation of the physical environment, and resource use throughout history from ancient civilizations to modern megalopolises. Universal urban challenges such as sprawl, pollution, congestion, crime, poverty, etc., are addressed.
GEOG 302 Mapping Our World 3 Credit Hours
Mapping our World provides an introduction to geospatial techniques and the important roles spatial data play in today’s world. This course introduces the students to basic concepts of geographic information systems, remote sensing and cartography. A focus of the course is on map analysis and map design.
GEOG 305 Intro to GIS 4 Credit Hours
An introductory course that examines the digital representation, manipulation, and analysis of geographic data, with the emphasis on the analytical capabilities that GIS brings solutions to geographic problems. Students will explore and learn GIS principles using ESRI's mapping software, as well as complete a major GIS project.
Corequisite(s): GEOG 305L
GEOG 305D Intro to GIS & Cartogrphy Dis 0 Credit Hours
Required discussion session for GEOG 305.
Corequisite(s): GEOG 305
GEOG 307 Geography of Western Europe 3 Credit Hours
An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, interrelationships, and interdependence of selected countries of this economically advanced region. (OC).
GEOG 310 Economic Geography 3 Credit Hours
Spatial aspects of the ways people make their living. Discussion of the spatial distribution of resources and wealth at various scales. Introduction of site selection and location analysis.
GEOG 315 Political Geography 3 Credit Hours
The spatial dimensions of political activity from the local to the global scale. Themes include: control of territory, relations among political entities, and political ideology.
GEOG 320 Global Climate Change 3 Credit Hours
This course explores concepts and current thinking on global climate change and environmental impacts. It covers the history of Earth's climate, causes of climate change and current research attempting to forecast change. The biotic, economic, and social implications of climate change are discussed. (AY)
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Freshman or Sophomore or Junior or Senior
GEOG 325 Global Cities 3 Credit Hours
The course focuses on comparing the urban form, economies, and social life in cities around the world. The societies of the westernized, developed world are already highly urbanized. Cities outside of this sphere are generally growing much faster and experiencing greater social and economic upheaval as a result. Understanding non-North American urbanization is a vital part of understanding cities in general. (F)
GEOG 327 Michigan Geography 3 Credit Hours
A geographic study of the landforms, waterways, natural resources, landmarks and economic activities that contribute to the physical and cultural landscapes of Michigan. Population, industry, agriculture, recreation and tourism will all be considered. (S, W, YR)
GEOG 390 Topics in Geography 1 to 3 Credit Hours
Selected topics to be announced. (OC).
GEOG 390B Topics in Geography 1 to 3 Credit Hours
TOPIC TITLE: Global Climate Change. This course explores concepts and current thinking on global climate change and environmental impacts. It covers the history of Earth?s climate, causes of climate change and current research attempting to forecast change. The biotic, economic, and social implications of climate change are discussed.
GEOG 399 Independent Study 1 to 3 Credit Hours
Readings or analytical assignments in accordance with the needs and interests of those enrolled and agreed upon by the student and the advising instructor.
*An asterisk denotes that a course may be taken concurrently.
Frequency of Offering
The following abbreviations are used to denote the frequency of offering: (F) fall term; (W) winter term; (S) summer term; (F, W) fall and winter terms; (YR) once a year; (AY) alternating years; (OC) offered occasionally