University of Missouri - Kansas City : Geography (GEOG)

A survey of major elements of physical and human geography, with a concise overview of the world's regions. Emphasis on global relationships and distributions, both environmental and cultural. Climates, natural vegetation, land forms, cultural origins and diffusions, economic patterns. Fall and winter.

3 hrs

GEOG 150 Introduction To Physical Geography

This course is an introduction to the study of the natural environmental systems of earth--the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. The primary objective of the course is to provide a broad overview of these systems at a global scale. This overview will entail descriptions of natural systems and the variations they exhibit both from place to place and through time. It will also entail explaining how natural systems operate and interact with each other, thereby providing a necessary foundation for understanding the tremendously diverse physical geography of earth. Applies to natural science requirement. Prerequisites: None. Offered: Fall semester.

3 hrs

GEOG 200 World Geography I

A study of Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Anglo America, and Latin America organized around the basic concepts of human -environmental relationships and spatial interaction. Fall.

3 hrs

GEOG 202 World Geography II

A study of Russia and the other former Soviet Republics, the Middle East, the Orient, Africa, and the Pacific World organized around the basic geographic concepts of human-environmental relationships and spatial interaction. Offered: Winter

3 hrs

GEOG 203 Introduction To Geographic Information Systems

An introductory course covering the basic principles of geographic information systems focusing on such software programs as ARC-INFO and ARC-VIEW. Offered: Fall and Winter

4 hrs

GEOG 210 Human Geography

A study of the geographical underpinnings and distribution of the main elements of culture, including population patterns, language, religion, political territorial organization, settlement, and economic livelihood. The environmental settings, geographic origins, diffusion, and geographic interrelationships of these culture traits are emphasized. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 215 Introduction To Weather And Climate

Overview of the basic components of the climate system. Emphasis is on the basic physical processes that determine global and regional climate and the linkages between components of the climate system. The theme throughout the course will be importance of climate as one of the major forcing mechanisms in environmental change. Both human-induced and natural climate variability will be covered. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Offered: Fall

4 hrs

GEOG 300 Interdisciplinary Studies:Cluster Courses

3 hrs

GEOG 309 Urban Geography

Historical development, morphology and functions of urban places, including intercity relationships and the relationship between cities and their hinterlands; emphasis on American cities. Offered: On Demand.

3 hrs

GEOG 311 Economic Geography

A systematic study of the modern world economy that includes discussion of the location of production and consumption, the nature and role of multinational enterprises in trade, resource limitations to growth, and cultural responses to globalization. Three hours lecture, discussion a week. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 314 Principles Of Geomorphology

Explores the processes that shape the earth's surface. Focuses on the development and description of fluvial, glacial, eolian, and coastal landforms. Studies the influence of tectonic and climatic factors. Three hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Field trip. Prerequisite: ENV-SCI 111R or GEOLOGY 220; GEOLOGY 230 suggested. Offered: On demand.

4 hrs

GEOG 317 Cartography

Design and preparation, by hand and computer, of informative, effective, and attractive maps and other graphics for various geographical purposes, especially term papers, thesis, and public presentations. Lectures, discussion, and laboratory. Offered: On demand.

4 hrs

GEOG 319 Descriptive And Synoptic Meteorology

Synoptic weather observations, air mass analysis, analysis of frontal systems, weather disturbances, preparation of weather charts and diagrams used in synoptic meteorology and forecasting. Prerequisites: ENV-SCI 110R or GEOLOGY 215 Offered: On demand

4 hrs

GEOG 325 Cultural Perspectives on the Environment

This course explores the history of conservation practices in American agriculture from the 1700s through the present. Additionally, the course examines the past and present legal implications of environmental statutes for minority farmers from a social and environmental justice perspective. This course is also offered as Environmental Studies 325.

3 hrs

GEOG 329 World Political Geography

An analysis of the influence of geographic factors (both physical and human) on the economic and political relationships of the nations of the world. Emphasis will be placed on population size and political viability of states, boundaries and frontiers as limits of national space, problems related to the spatial integration of states, and the independence and interdependence of states within the larger world political system. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 332 Cultural Geography

A study of the distribution and interpretation of cultural patterns throughout the world. Examined are material and non-material elements of culture such as settlement, land use, technology and belief systems. The geographic origins and diffusion of culture traits are emphasized. On demand.

3 hrs

GEOG 333 Geographic Elements Of Urban Planning

Analysis of the changing form and structure of urban places from a planning viewpoint. The focus will be on land-use trends on both the intraurban and interurban levels. Covered will be such topics as planning for urban transportation, new towns, land-use planning, urban renewal, and environmental planning. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 334 Gender and the Environment

This course provides a survey of different ways women relate to nature. The objectives of the course are: to understand historical relationships between women and nature in the western world, to understand different theoretical approaches to studying women and nature, to explore the geography of women's activism on behalf of the environment, and to understand how women's health is linked to the environment. Cross listed with ENV-STDY 334. Offered: Fall

3 hrs

GEOG 335 Introduction To Waste Management

Overview of issues in waste management. Nature and classification of waste. Municipal solid waste: disposal methods, design, construction and maintenance of sanitary landfills. Nature and sources of hazardous waste, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. Types and sources of nuclear waste; disposal of high level and low level nuclear wastes. Sources, nature, handling and disposal of biologic waste. Pollution prevention, recycling and resource conservation. Prerequisites: ENV-SCI 110R; GEOLOGY 150, GEOLOGY 220 or instructor's permission. Offered: On demand.

3 hrs

GEOG 336 Principles Of Soil Science

Study of genesis, evolution, distribution and classification of soils. Analysis of soil-forming materials and processes. Three hours lecture, discussion and laboratory a week. Prerequisites: ENV-SCI 110R; GEOLOGY 220 required; Offered: On demand Restrictions: college chemistry recommended.

3 hrs

GEOG 340 Regional Geography Of The United States And Canada

A systematic study of the physical and human geography of the United States and Canada. Emphasis is placed on the physical setting and the influence of the people on the land. Contemporary issues such as public vs. private land, water resources and energy resource distribution are emphasized. Offered: On demand.

3 hrs

GEOG 341 Regional Geography Of South America

A study of the physical and human geography of South America, with an emphasis on cultural processes and the historical record. Contemporary issues such as economic development, trade, urbanization, and geopolitical conflicts are discussed. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 342 Regional Geography Of Mexico, Central America And The Caribbean

A study of the physical and human geography of Middle America, with an emphasis on cultural processes and the historical record. Contemporary issues such as economic development, trade urbanization, and geopolitical conflicts are discussed. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 345 Animals and Society

This course explores the wide variety of cultural and ecological interactions that exist between people and animals whether wild or domesticated, aquatic, terrestrial, or avian. Utilitarian and ethical perspectives are used to study current patterns of use and abuse in animal keeping. Cross-listed with Environmental Studies 345

3 hrs

GEOG 350 Regional Geography Of Europe

A study of human activities in relation to the physical environment in Europe. Emphasis is placed on nation states and their economic, social and political geography within their physical and historical context. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 351 Regional Geography Of The Middle East

A study of human imprint upon the land through settlement patterns, institutions of land organization, and types of economy. Strategies for the economic development of various regions in the Middle East are discussed. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 352 Regional Geography Of Southeast Asia

A study of human imprint on the land through settlement patterns, institutions of land organization, and types of economy. Strategies for the economic development of various regions in Southeast Asia are discussed. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 355 Regional Geography Of Africa

3 hrs

GEOG 360 Principles Of Biogeography

This course is an introduction to biogeography that explores the patterns of plant and animal distributions from both ecological and historical perspectives. We examine past geologic and climatic conditions, as well as interactions between organisms and their environment to explain modern distributions of flora and fauna. Human interactions with plants and animals have increasingly profound consequences on distributions of flora and fauna from destruction to management. We explore the increasing importance of issues and strategies in conservation. The laboratory portion of the course builds on core ecological concepts and provides experiences of field observation, data collecting and data analysis. Prerequisite: ENV-SCI 110R or permission of instructor. Offered: On demand.

4 hrs

GEOG 398 Field Trip

Three-day field trip in March or April (at student's expense) for department majors. An opportunity to observe and study physical and cultural features and collect materials. Brief descriptive report of trip required. Prerequisite: 6-9 hours of upper level geography. Yearly.

1 hr

GEOG 401 Advanced Geographic Information Science

This course is designed for the students knowledgeable in the fundamentals of geographic information systems, who wish to gain expertise in advanced topics and applications in geographic information systems, remote sensing, and related environmental informatics. Classes are organized to encourage active learning. Students are encouraged and guided to develop their research projects by integrating related techniques of geographic information science. Prerequisite: GEOG 203 Offered: On demand

4 hrs

GEOG 402 Environmental Remote Sensing And Digital Image Analysis

This course will provide students with innovative techniques for landscape-level environmental analysis, geographic and geological studies, earth science research, and environmental resources management using remotely sensed data including satellite images. Students will be taught basic remote sensing concepts and technical skills, including energy radiative transfer processes in remote sensing, sensors and resolutions, computer-based image processing and classification, and remote sensing/GIS integration. Prerequisite: GEOG 203 (formerly GEOG 401) or permission of instructor. Offered: On Demand

4 hrs

GEOG 403 WI History and Philosophy of Geoscience

A survey of geoscientific thought since antiquity. The substance of geography, geology, and environmental studies will be sought primarily in scholarly treatise and formal analytical systems including cartography, but the course also addresses geoscientific principles emerging from the history of environment, government, law, economy, religion, literature, and material culture. Readings, lectures, discussions, research, writing. Also offered as GEOG 503wi. Offered: on demand

3 hrs

GEOG 404 Biogeography And Landscape Ecology

Principles and applications of biogeography and landscape ecology, emphasizing distribution of major ecosystems and related plants and animal species on earth, biodiversity, landscape patterns and processes, and physical, biological, and human interactions. The course explores ecosystem and landscape analyses using advanced GIS, remote sensing, and spatial modeling methods for real problem solving in environmental and biological research, ecosystem conservation, and urban planning and studies. Prerequisites: GEOG 203, GEOG 402 / GEOG 5502 or permission of instructor. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 406 Global Environmental Change

This course will examine the current rates of global environmental change and potential causes in the context of Earth's natural climate variability. The course will follow a seminar format. Students will read and discuss published articles on current and emerging theories of forcing mechanisms in the Earth's systems.

3 hrs

GEOG 410 Landscape, Language, Literature, And Law

An examination of the geographic underpinnings and implications of languages, literatures, and jurisprudence. The course explores languages' historic rootedness in the interactions between human beings and their surroundings; the varying geographic expressiveness and discrimination of languages; the effect and significance of literary evocations of landscapes; and the cultural and environmental geographic content of the language of law. Readings, lectures, discussions, writing. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Offered: On demand. Also offered as GEOG 5510.

3 hrs

GEOG 412 Global Tourism

This course is a regional survey of world tourism. Topics include the uniqueness of place, the marketing of tourist destinations, and the cultural, economic, and environmental impacts on host societies. This course is cross-listed with Environmental Studies 412. Prerequisites: GEOG 105, or GEOG 200, or GEOG 202, or permission of instructor.

3 hrs

GEOG 415 History And Philosophy Of Cartography

An examination of the techniques, assumptions, psychology, and cultural implications of mapping from the Stone Age to the age of satellites and the computerized Geographic Information System. Readings, lectures, discussions, writing. Offered: On demand. Also offered as GEOG 5515.

3 hrs

GEOG 417 Special Topics

Individual research and study of a selected topic in geography, meteorology or earth science. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor. On demand.

1-3 hrs

GEOG 426 Paleoecology: Microfossils And Climate Change

Paleoecology will focus on questions addressing past environments and past climates based on the ecology of microfossils. Micro-organisms are very sensitive to a wide variety of environmental conditions including temperature, precipitation, hydrology, water chemistry, salinity, habitat, and pollution. The fossil remains of these organisms are used as proxy indicators for reconstructing past environmental conditions, climate change, vegetation dynamics, and human impacts. Students will have the opportunity to process microfossils and make interpretations based on analysis data. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor Offered: Every other Fall semester

3 hrs

GEOG 430 Energy Resources

This course covers the distribution, origin, and utilization of all types of energy. Topics include exploration, production, storage, transportation and conservation of carbon-based fuels, hydrologic, nuclear energy, and alternate energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydrogen. Prerequisite: ENV-SCI 110R or GEOLOGY 220. Offered: Fall.

3 hrs

GEOG 435 Geoarchaeology

This course examines geomorphological and archaeological methods used in reconstructing sites, settlement patterns, and paleoenvironments. Explores dating methods, soils, and stratigraphy as tools for studying landscape evolution and human occupation. Prerequisites: GEOG 314 or GEOLOGY 314, or permission of instructor. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 437 Population Geography

This course analyzes human populations: how they grow, how their compositions change, and how and why people migrate from one place to another. Students will study basic demographic processes- mortality, fertility, and migration- and underline theory and techniques. Students will also examine relationships between population growth and population planning, immigration, urbanization and cities, and the environment. Offered: On demand.

3 hrs

GEOG 442 Quaternary Environments

This course reviews earth climatic history and focuses on major mechanisms for global and regional climate change. Methods of paleoclimatic reconstruction are examined, including analysis of proxy data and climate modeling. Application of these methods toward prediction of future climate change is also explored. Also offered as GEOG 5542. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 314 or GEOLOGY 314, and GEOG 215, or permission of instructor. Offered: On demand.

3 hrs

GEOG 444 Spatial Data Analysis

Quantitative techniques and applications of spatial data analysis. The course will cover basic geospatial analysis techniques including hypothesis testing, kriging, variagram analysis, multivariate analysis and reliability analysis. Emphasis is on practical applications rather than theories. Intended for Geology, Geography, Environmental Studies, and relevant fields. Three hours lecture and computer lab per week.Prerequisites: Elementary statistics or permission of instructorOffered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 448 Satellite Climatology

Use of satellite observations to study the climate system. Discussions consider the development of satellite climatology, sensors, platforms and methodologies used to estimate climate variables from radiance measurements. Aspects of climate that are emphasized include could climatologies, cloud systems, atmospheric moisture, radiation budget, and land-surface conditions. Three hours lecture and one hour lab per week. Prerequisites: GEOG 215 or GEOG 219, or permission if instructor. Offered: Every other Spring.

4 hrs

GEOG 449 Global Water and Sustainability

This course examines the physical characteristics of water and its role in Earth systems. The challenges facing societies in as era of rapidly changing climate are explored. Cross-listed with Environmental Science 446.

3 hrs

GEOG 450 Gis Fundamentals For Research Applications

This course will address the needs of upper level undergraduate and graduate students who desire to learn and apply fundamental Geographic Information Systems concepts and techniques for their research projects. This course will draw on the content of the Introductory GIS course offered by the department but will also be flexible such that the individual needs or interest of students can be met through guided reading and/or tailored laboratory sessions. The Department of Geosciences GIS computer laboratory, with a variety of GIS and Remote Sensing software, will be available for this course. Prerequisite: Permission by instructor Offered: Winter Restrictions: Only for upper level undergraduate and graduate students

4 hrs

GEOG 457 North American Prehistory

This class offers instruction in the archaeological survey of prehistoric North America from the Arctic to northern Mexico. The course outlines cultural developments within this region form the peopling of the Americas near the end of the last Ice Age to the arrival of Europeans over 10,000 years later. The diversification of Native American societies across this time span is examined in relation to social and environmental challenges, including the transformation of hunter-gatherer groups into chiefdoms and complex agricultural societies. Cross-listed with ANTHRO 384.

3 hrs

GEOG 460 Transportation Geography

Relation between transportation and spatial organization, selected analytical models dealing with traffic demand, network configuration, and allocation of transport facilities; application to specific problem areas including commuting. Seminar with discussions of briefs and term paper. Offered: On demand

3 hrs

GEOG 489 Tutoring In Geography

Geography majors in their senior year may enroll for 1-3 hours tutoring for credit. This will entail working as a tutor, under the direction of the faculty, to students in the 100 to 200-level courses in the department who either have inadequate background preparation in environment studies and geography or are identified by the instructor as needing tutorial help. Tutoring will be on a credit/non-credit basis. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor Offered: On demand

1-3 hrs

GEOG 496 Geography Internship

Students obtain directed practical experience working with non-profits, governments, or private enterprises. Duties will vary based on contractual agreement between the student, host organization, and the professor. Students should have junior standing or higher, and the instructor's permission. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor Offered: Summer, Fall, or Winter as available

1-6 hrs

GEOG 499 WI Geography Seminar

Students critique geographic research and prepare a paper and an oral presentation on an approved topic. Prerequisite: Senior standing and successful completion of the WEPT Offered: Winter

3 hrs

GEOG H202 World Geography II

3 hrs