Graduate Course Descriptions

Geog 200A - Introduction to Geographic Research, 2.0 - 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 techniques areas of emphasis will be presented, as well as department facilities and research collaborations with other institutions.

Geog 200B - Introduction to Geographic Research, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 200C - Introduction to Geographic Research, 2.0 - 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 perspective dissertation area (PhD students); participation in seminars discussing ongoing graduate research.

Geog 201 - Seminar in Geography, 2.0 - Staff

Required of all geography graduate students every quarter offered. Seminar, 3 hours.

A series of lectures and seminars on diverse problems in human and physical geography by current and visiting faculty.

Geog 201Q - Seminar in Geography, 2.0 - 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.

Geog 202A - Remote Sensing and Environmental Optics, 5.0 - 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.

Geog 205 - Seminar in Environmental Geography, 2.0-4.0 - 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.

Geog 208 - Water Resource Systems Analysis, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 209 - Pedology, 4.0 - 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. There will be an emphasis on interactions among soil and other earth system components: atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere. (Spring, odd-numbered years)

Geog 210A - Analytical Methods in Geography I, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 210B - Analytical Methods in Geography II, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 210C - Analytical Methods in Geography III, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 211A - Transportation Planning & Modeling, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 211B - Transportation Modeling & Simulation, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 211C - Activity and Travel Behavior Analysis, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 214A - Advanced Remote Sensing: Optical, 5.0 - 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. (Winter)

Geog 214B - Advanced Remote Sensing: Microwave, 5.0 - 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.

Geog 220 - Seminar in Regional Analysis, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 221 - Research Methods in Human Geography, 4.0 - 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. (Alternate years)

Geog 224 - Methods of Regional Analysis, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 225 - Urban Problems, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 229 - Environmental Perception and Cognition, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 230 - Behavioral Geography, 4.0 - Golledge

Recommended preparation: Geography 153A and/or 153C. Seminar, 3 hours.

Survey of behavioral approaches in a variety of areas of geography.

Geog 231 - Cognitive Issues in Geographic Information Science, 4.0 - Montello, Couclelis

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Seminar, 3 hours.

Theory and research on cognitive issues in geographic information science. Perception, memory, reasoning, communication, and human factors in digital worlds.

Geog 234 - Seminar in Cartography, 4.0 - Clarke

Prerequisite: Geography 118. Seminar, 4 hours.

Study and critique of advanced research work in cartography. Topic will vary year to year.

Geog 240 - Mock Environmental Summit, 5.0 - 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.

Geog 241A - Population Geography, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 241B - Population, Development, and the Environment, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 241C - Spatial Demography, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 242 - Land Use - Land Cover Change, 4.0 - Bookhagen

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.

Geog 244 - Society and Hazards, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 246 - Earth Systems Science: Hydrolic Modeling, 4.0 - 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. (Winter, odd numbered years).

Geog 253 - Global Warming: Causes and Consequences, 4.0 - Gautier

Prerequisites: 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

Geog 255 - Geography of Latin America, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 260 - Seminar in Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 261 - Ocean Optics, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 262 - Upper Ocean Physical Processes, 4.0 - Dickey, 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 include: mesoscale dynamics, mixed layer modeling, radiative transfer, turbulent mixing processes, and internal waves.

Geog 263 - Introduction to Physical Oceanography, 4.0 - Dickey, Siegel, Washburn

Lecture, 3 hours.

A graduate-level introduction to physical oceanography. Topics to be 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.

Geog 264 - Seminar In Oceanography, 4.0 - Dickey, Siegel, Washburn

Prerequisites: Geography 163 or 263; and, Geography 265. Seminar, 2 hours.

Graduate seminar in physical, optical, and biological oceanography.

Geog 266 - Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 275 - Seminar in Geographical Information Systems, 4.0 - Goodchild

Seminar, 4 hours.

Study of current trends in geographically oriented information processing systems.

Geog 276 - Geographical Time Series Analysis, 3.0 - 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.

Geog 277 - Spatial Environmental Modeling, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 278 - Practice of Geostatistical Modeling of Spatial Data, 5.0 - 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.

Geog 279 - Seminar in Geostatistics: Advanced Topics in Spatial Statistics, 3.0 - Kyriakidis

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.

Geog 280 - Seminar on Climate Change, 3.0 - Gautier, Siegel, Still

Seminar, 3 hours.

A series of lectures and seminars on diverse research topics on climate change.

Geog 288AA-ZZ - Special Topics in Geography, 2.0-4.0 - 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.

Geog 290 - Urban and Environmental Systems Analysis, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 291 - Optimization Models for Geographic Problems, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 294 - Advanced Topics in Location and Transportation Systems, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 295 - Advanced Topics in Pedology, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 295A - Soils and Ecosystems, 3.0 - 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.

Geog 296 - Technical Issues in Geographic Information Systems, 5.0 - 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.

Geog 500 - Teacher Assistant Training, 4.0 - 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.

Geog 595 - Seminar in Marine Science, 2.0 - Dickey , Alldredge

A series of lectures an seminars on diverse research topics in marine sciences.

Geog 596 - Directed Reading and Research, 2.0-8.0 - 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.

Geog 597 - Individual Study for Ph.D. Examinations, 1.0-12.0 - 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 the student's major professor or chairman of his/her doctoral committee.

Geog 598 - Master's Thesis Research and Preparation, 1.0-12.0 - Staff

Prerequisites: consent of instructor and grad advisor. S/U grading. Preparation, 1-12 hours.

Research toward and writing of thesis.

Geog 599 - Ph.D. Dissertation Research and Preparation, 1.0-12.0 - 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.

Updated January 11, 2008