Geography (GEOG)College of Behavioral and Social Sciences2108 LeFrak Hall, 301-405-4073 www.geog.umd.edu geog-advise@umd.edu Chair: C. Justice Professors: R. Dubayah (Graduate Director), S. Goward, K. Hubacek (Adjunct Prof, Prof), G. Hurtt (Adjunct Prof, Prof), C. Justice, E. Kasischke, M. Kearney, S. Liang, S. Prince, J. Townsend Associate Professors: J. Cirrincione, M. Geores (Associate Chair) Assistant Professors: J. Kellner (Visit Asst Prof, Asst Prof), T. Loboda (Asst Prof), J. Silva (Adjunct Asst Prof), I. Yeo (Asst Prof), N. Zhou Lecturers: I. Csiszar (Assoc Res Sci, Lecturer), E. Ellicott (Res Asst Prof, Lecturer), A. Eney, R. Luna (Undergraduate Director), J. Ma (Lecturer), R. Sohlberg (Fac Res Asst, Lecturer), J. Trocino (Lecturer), E. Vermote (Res Prof, Lecturer), M. Zlatic Adjunct Professors: R. Izaurralde, N. Rosenberg, J. Short (Adjunct Prof), C. Tucker, D. Williams Adjunct Associate Professors: J. Althausen, S. Goetz, C. Walthall Adjunct Assistant Professors: J. Morisette Professors Emeriti: H. Brodsky, R. Harper, D. Thompson, J. Wiedel The Major How do you see the future? More of everything: food, parks, leisure, personal electronic devices, peace between the nations? Or more people, new diseases, traffic gridlock, and starvation? Will there still be crabs and oysters from the The world is changing at unprecedented rates, primarily as a result of human actions. Opportunities for increased well-being of humans and the environment abound. On the other hand, competition for resources such as fresh water and oil is reaching crisis proportions. The future of humanity depends on skillful management of our environment by planning the social, urban, suburban and rural settings where we work, live and play. Expert care of the environment is needed to maintain supplies of food, natural products, water, and the other resources on which life depends. New insights into the social, economic and urban environment can help control poverty and crime. Geography concerns the relations between people and the natural world, the effects of ecosystems on human beings and vice versa, the choices people make, the effects of past actions on people today, and the effects of today's choices on future generations. Program Learning Outcomes Having completed the degree program, students should have acquired the following knowledge and skills:
Academic Programs and Departmental Facilities The Geography Department has two 25-seat computer teaching laboratories that are used in undergraduate coursework, particularly in GIS/Remote Sensing courses. There are different types of equipment for field research and remote sensing, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are also available. Requirements for the Major Within any of the specializations available in the geography major program it is possible for students to adjust their programs to fit their individual interests. The geography major totals 35 semester hours. In addition to the 35 semester hours, the geography major is required to take an additional 15 semester hours of supporting course work outside of the department. The hours can be either in one department or in an area of specialization. An area of specialization requires that a written program of courses be reviewed and placed on file by the department advisor. Visit or call the Advising Office, Lefrak 2108, 301-405-4073, e-mail geog-advise@umd.edu, or see the web page at www.geog.umd.edu. Supporting courses generally are related to the area of specialty in geography. The pass-fail option is not applicable to major or supporting courses. A minimum grade of C in each course is required for major and supporting courses. Geography Major The required courses for geography majors are as follows:
Introduction to Geography The 100-level geography courses are general education courses
for persons who have had no previous contact with the discipline in high school
or for persons planning to take only one course in geography. They provide
general overviews of the field or in one of its major topics. Credit for these
courses is not applied to the major. Related Programs Geographic Information Science/Computer Cartography Major The Geography Department offers an important area of
specialization: GIS and Computer Cartography. The Bachelor of Science degree
program in Geographic Information Science and Computer Cartography is designed
to give students the technical skills needed to acquire, manage and analyze
very large amounts of geographic data. Students will get extensive computer training
in digital processing of remote sensing observations and cartographic vector
data, spatial analysis, and the display of information products. Almost
everything we do involves geographic information, from deciding where to live
and travel, to environmental monitoring and urban planning. Influenced by
computer technology, the academic disciplines of geographic information science
such as remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and computer
cartography have evolved dramatically in the past few decades. Remote sensing
is the science of obtaining geographic information from aircraft and
satellites. GIS technology manages and analyzes different forms of digital
geographic data, and this field has been growing at an extraordinary rate.
Computer cartography has revolutionized traditional cartography to vastly
improve map making and visualization of geographic information in a multimedia
environment.
Geography and Social Studies Education Double Major In conjunction with the College of Education/Curriculum and Instruction, the Geography Department offers a special 121 credit hours program for students wishing to double major in Geography and Social Studies Education - Geography Concentration, allowing them to teach geography at the secondary level. Early examination of requirements is encouraged to reduce the number of additional hours required. In addition to the Geography Department's required credits, the program requires 28 credit hours of course work in history and the social sciences. For a list of requirements, contact the Geography Undergraduate Advising Office. Requirements are also listed under the Curriculum and Instruction Social Studies Education - Geography Concentration double major option.
Requirements for the Minor Minor in Geographic Information Science (GIS) See undergraduate advising office for more information: LeFrak Hall 2108, 301-405-4073.
Student must achieve a "C" or better in each course applied to the Minor in Geographic Information Systems. Fieldwork Opportunities
GEOG 328 (Summer): The Geography of Puerto Rico This course builds on the resounding success of last year's course. Students will explore and truly comprehend why they call Puerto Rico "the island of enchantment." Students will explore San Juan, the historic capital city, and Ponce a deep water port; El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest within the U.S. Park Service's system; and the Island of Vieques where the class will see first hand active sea turtle nesting grounds and a bio-luminescent bay. Geog 298A/Geog 498A: Croatia This course is a geographical survey of Croatia, focusing on its natural and built environment, human and economic resources, and recent emergence from war and communism into a modern democratic state.
Internships The department offers a one-semester internship program for undergraduates (GEOG 384 and 385). The goal of the program is to enhance undergraduates' intellectual growth and career opportunities. The internship provides an opportunity for the students to expand their understanding of the field by linking the theoretical aspects of geography acquired in the classroom to the applied aspects operating in a practice situation. The internship program is open only to geography juniors and seniors. All interns must have completed the following prerequisites: GEOG 201/211, 202/212, 305 or its equivalent, and the upper-level writing requirement. An application form from the undergraduate geography advisor must be submitted one semester before the internship is desired. See undergraduate advising office, 2108 LeFrak Hall, 301-405-4073 for information. Honors Program Students admitted to the Honors program engage in independent research under the guidance of an individual faculty member. Students are eligible upon completion of 30 credits of geography courses including the required courses. Honors students will need to register for 12 credits of which they can substitute for formal coursework. Students must have a 3.2 overall GPA and a 3.5 GPA in Geography.
Student Societies and Professional Organizations Gamma Theta Upsilon, the geography undergraduate organization, operates a program of student-sponsored talks and field trips. |
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