University Bulletin
Undergraduate Degree Programs
GEOG 010
(GN)
Physical Geography: An Introduction (3) Survey and synthesis of processes creating geographical patterns of natural resources, with application of basic environmental processes in resource management.
Effective: Spring 2006
GEOG 010H
(GN)
Physical Geography: An Introduction (3) Survey and synthesis of processes creating geographical patterns of natural resources, with application of basic environmental processes in resource management.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOG 010S
(GN)
Physical Geography: An Introduction (3) Survey and synthesis of processes creating geographical patterns of natural resources, with application of basic environmental processes in resource management.
Effective: Spring 2006
GEOG 020
(GS;US;IL)
Human Geography: An Introduction (3) Spatial perspective on human societies in a modernizing world; regional examples; use of space and environmental resources; elements of geographic planning.
Effective: Summer 2005
GEOG 020U
(GS;US;IL)
Human Geography: An Introduction (3) Spatial perspective on human societies in a modernizing world; regional examples; use of space and environmental resources; elements of geographic planning.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOG 030
(GS)
Geographic Perspectives on Sustainability and Human-Environment Systems (3) Introduction to theory, methods, history and contemporary issues in global and regional relationships between human activity and the physical environment.
Effective: Spring 2007
GEOG 040
(GS;IL)
World Regional Geography (3) Introduction to the world as an interdependent community built from unique and independent regions and nations.
Effective: Summer 2005
GEOG 110
(GN)
Climates of the World (3) Introduction to climatology, including principal processes of the global climatic system and their variation over space and time.
Effective: Fall 2004
GEOG 111
(GN)
Biogeography and Global Ecology (3) Distribution of plants and animals on global, regional, and local scales; their causes and significance.
Effective: Fall 2007
GEOG 115
(GN)
Landforms of the World (3) Distribution of the world's landform features and mineral resources; their characteristics, causes, and significance. Practicum includes correlated field trips and laboratory studies.
Effective: Fall 2004
GEOG 120
(GS;US;IL)
Urban Geography: A Global Perspective (3) Introduction to the geography of the world's cities and urban system.
Effective: Spring 2006
GEOG 122
(GH;US)
The American Scene (3) Historical perspectives on the social and cultural forces associated with the production of distinctive American landscapes.
Effective: Spring 2007
GEOG 123
(GS;IL)
Geography of Developing World (3) Patterns of poverty in poor countries; conventional and non-conventional explanations; focus on solutions; case studies of specific regions.
Effective: Spring 2007
GEOG 123U
(GS;IL)
Geography of Developing World (3) Patterns of poverty in poor countries; conventional and non-conventional explanations; focus on solutions; case studies of specific regions.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOG 124
(GS;IL)
Elements of Cultural Geography (3) Locational analysis of changes in non-Western cultures. Problems of plural societies, economic development, population growth, and settlement.
Effective: Summer 2005
GEOG 126
(GS;US;IL)
Economic Geography (3) The location of economic activity at both macro- and micro-regional levels on the earth's surface.
Effective: Spring 2007
GEOG 128
(GS;IL)
Geography of International Affairs (3) Contemporary international affairs in their geographical setting; geographic elements in the development of national power, political groupings, and international disputes.
Effective: Summer 2005
GEOG 130
(GS)
Environment, Power, and Justice (3) This course explores contemporary themes in human-environment relations through the lens of political ecology.
Effective: Spring 2008
GEOG 160
(GS)
Mapping Our Changing World (3) Fundamental concepts of GIS, cartography, remote sensing, and GPS in the context of environmental and social problems.
Effective: Spring 2007
GEOG 161
Applied Geographic Information Systems (1) An introduction to GIS (Geographic Information Systems) with emphasis on applications and analysis.
Effective: Spring 2008
Prerequisite:
or concurrentGEOG 160
GEOG 199
(IL)
Foreign Studies (1-12) Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
prior approval of program
GEOG 293H
Honors Experiences in International Service Learning (1-3) Classroom instruction with supervised student activity on an honors international community service project.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
sophomore standing
GEOG 297
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Spring 1988
GEOG 298
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Spring 2001
GEOG 299
(IL)
Foreign Studies (1-12) Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
prior approval of program
GEOG 301
Thinking Geographically (3) Learning to think geographically.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
GEOG 010, GEOG 020, GEOG 030 Prerequisite or concurrent:GEOG 121
GEOG 310W
Introduction to Global Climatic Systems (3) Introduction to global atmospheric circulation, including tropical, midlatitude and polar subsystems; ocean, land, cryospheric and urban climatic systems and interactions.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 010 orMETEO 003
GEOG 311
Landscape Ecology (3) This course examines the ways in which spatial patterns and spatial processes operate in an ecological context.
Effective: Fall 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 111, BIOL 110, FOR 308 orW F S 209 or by permission
GEOG 313
Introduction to Field Geography (3) Introduction to the methods and techniques for collecting spatial and environmental data for physical geography and ecological studies.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 160
GEOG 323
GIS and Social Theory (3) Critical understanding of how to use GIS and tools of regional analysis in the context of postmodern social theory.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 160
GEOG 333
Human Dimensions of Natural Hazards (3) An introduction to social science principles and methodologies to address critical questions relating to managing the risks of natural hazards.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
junior or senior standing
GEOG 361
Cartography--Maps and Map Construction (3) The art and science of creating small-scale maps as a medium for communication and research.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 160
GEOG 362
Image Analysis (3) Introduction to the basic principles of remote sensing, and the analysis of aerial and satellite data.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 160
GEOG 363
Geographic Information Systems (3) Principles and use of geographic information; emphasis is on data acquisition and techniques for computer-aided analysis.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 160
GEOG 364
Spatial Analysis (3) Geographic measurement, scaling, and classification; analysis of spatial pattern and structure; geographic covariation and autocorrelation.
Effective: Fall 2008
Prerequisite:
STAT 200 and 6 credits in social science
GEOG 399
(IL)
Foreign Studies (1-12) Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
prior approval of program
GEOG 407
(HIST 453)
American Environmental History (3) The history of the ways Americans have used and thought about the environment since 1500.
Effective: Spring 1998
Prerequisite:
GEOG 030, LARCH 003 ; andHIST 020 orHIST 021 ; or 6 credits in the humanities or social sciences
GEOG 411
Forest Geography (3) This course studies processes that control spatial and temporal change in forests.
Effective: Fall 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 010, GEOG 111 ; orBIOL 220W
GEOG 411W
Forest Geography (3) This course studies processes that control spatial and temporal change in forests.
Effective: Fall 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 010, GEOG 111 ; orBIOL 220W
GEOG 412W
Climatic Change and Variability (3) Theories and observations of past, present, and future climatic change and variability; introduction to techniques used in climatic change research.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 110 orMETEO 003
GEOG 417
Satellite Climatology (3) A discussion of the application of satellite data to current and planned large-scale climate experiments.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 362
GEOG 420Y
(US;IL)
Metropolitan Analysis (3) Theory and practice of regional and metropolitan analysis.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 120, GEOG 160
GEOG 423Y
(US)
Historical Geography of North America (3) Exploration, settlement, and changing patterns of human occupance from the seventeenth century to the 1930's.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 122 3 additional credits in geography or 6 credits
GEOG 424
(US;IL)
Geography of the Global Economy (3) Focus on industrial location theory, factors in industrial location, studies of selected industries and problems of industrial development.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
ECON 002, ECON 004, GEOG 126
GEOG 425
Geography of Race, Class, and Poverty in America (3) This class will study the geography of race, class, and poverty in America today.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 126 andECON 002 andECON 004
GEOG 426Y
(US;IL)
(WMNST 426Y)
Gender and Geography (3) Description and explanation of the links between gender relations and spatial structures.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 020, GEOG 126, GEOG 120, WMNST 001 orWMNST 187
GEOG 427
(US;IL)
Urban Historical Geography (3) Study of the development and transformation of the historical urban built environment.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
6 credits in geography humanities or social sciences
GEOG 428
(US)
Political Geography (3) Geographical foundations of political phemomena; significant geographic factors in growth and development of states, boundary problems, population distribution, colonies, and internal and international regional problems.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
6 credits in history or 6 credits in political science
GEOG 429
(US)
Global Urbanization (3) This course reflects critically on a number of issues related to global urbanization, including the culture and political economy of urban space.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 020, GEOG 126 orGEOG 120
GEOG 430
Human Use of Environment (3) The human use of resources and ecosystems and social causes and consequences of environmental degradation in different parts of the world; development of environmental policy and management strategies.
Effective: Fall 2008
Prerequisite:
GEOG 010, GEOG 020, GEOG 030, GEOG 040, GEOG 130 or permission of the program
GEOG 431
Geography of Water Resources (3) Perspectives on water as a resource and hazard for human society; water resource issues in environmental and regional planning.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
6 credits in geography or natural sciences
GEOG 434
Politics of the Environment (3) This course explores politics related to the use, transformation, valuation, and representation of the environment.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
6 credits in social sciences or humanities
GEOG 435H
(IL)
Global Change and Sustainability - Bulgaria (3) Sustainability in the context of climate change, global socioeconomic change and regional transformation in Bulgaria; embedded foreign fieldwork (honors).
Effective: Summer 2008
Prerequisite:
sophomore standing or above; departmental permission required
GEOG 436
Ecology, Economy, and Society (3) Analyses of major themes in ecology and economic development, poverty- alleviation, and sustainability.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
upper-division standing
GEOG 438W
Human Dimensions of Global Warming (3) Human dimensions of global environmental change: human causes; human adaptations; and policy implications of global warming.
Effective: Fall 2008
Prerequisite:
EARTH 002, GEOG 010 orMETEO 003;GEOG 030
GEOG 439
Property and the Global Environment (3) This course reviews theoretical and empirical relationships between multiple legal, economic, and cultural approaches to property, and environmental quality and conflicts.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
6 credits in geography humanities or social sciences
GEOG 440
Topics in Regional Geography (3) Analysis of historical, contemporary and future environmental and societal issues in a specified world region from a geographical perspective.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
3 credits in physical geography 3 credits in human geography
GEOG 444
African Resources and Development (3) Ecological and cultural factors in the geography of Africa; natural resources and development.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
GEOG 010, GEOG 020, GEOG 030 orGEOG 124
GEOG 459
Digital Terrain Models (3) Techniques for digital investigation of geomorphic landforms, including input and reformatting of source data.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 463
GEOG 461W
Dynamic Cartographic Representation (3) Theory and practice of mapping and geo-representation in a hypermedia context. Applications in science, policy, travel, and education.
Effective: Fall 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 361, GEOG 330, GEOG 362, GEOG 363
GEOG 463
Geospatial Information Management (3) This course examines geospatial data representations and algorithmic techniques that apply to spatially-organized data in digital form.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
any earth science computer application course; familiarization with databases and information systems
GEOG 464
Analysis and GIS (3) Normative and probabilistic models of spatial behavior; adaptive systems in geographic space; interaction and system stability.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 364
GEOG 467
Applied Cartographic Design (3) Applied computer-assisted map production methods with emphasis on geographic information design and color use for multiple presentation media.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 361
GEOG 468
Geographic Information Systems Design and Evaluation (3) Design and evaluation of Geographic Information Systems and other forms of integrated spatial data systems.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 363
GEOG 475H
(LER 475H)
Labor in the Global Economy: U.S. and South African Perspectives (3) This course focuses on how the nature of work is changing in the global economy, and the implications for economic opportunity and inequality in both.
Effective: Spring 2008
Prerequisite:
a minimum of 12 GEOG or LER credits before taking the course (or permission of the program).
GEOG 482
The Nature of Geographic Information (2) Orientation to the properties of geographic data and the practice of distance learning.
Effective: Summer 2004
Prerequisite:
admission to the Master of GIS program or Certificate Program in GIS
GEOG 483
Problem-Solving with GIS (3) How geographic information systems facilitate data analysis and communication to address common geographic problems.
Effective: Summer 2004
Prerequisite:
GEOG 482
GEOG 484
GIS Database Development (3) Database design, creation, maintenance, and data integration using desktop GIS software.
Effective: Summer 2004
Prerequisite:
GEOG 483
GEOG 485
GIS Programming and Customization (3) Customizing GIS software to extend its built-in functionality and to automate repetitive tasks.
Effective: Fall 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 357 orGEOG 484;CMPSC 101 or equivalent computer
GEOG 486
Cartography and Visualization (3) Theory and practice of cartographic design emphasizing effective visual thinking and visual communication with geographic information systems.
Effective: Summer 2004
Prerequisite:
GEOG 484
GEOG 487
Environmental Applications of GIS (3) Simulated internship experience in which students play the role of GIS analysts in an environmental consultancy.
Effective: Summer 2004 Ending: Fall 2009
Prerequisite:
GEOG 484
GEOG 487
Environmental Applications of GIS (3) Real-world applications of GIS and spatial analysis to investigate a variety of current environmental issues.
Effective: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
Prerequisite:
GEOG 484
GEOG 488
Acquiring and Integrating Geospatial Data (3) Advanced technical, legal, ethical and institutaional problems related to data acquisition for geospatial information systems.
Effective: Summer 2004
Prerequisite:
GEOG 484
GEOG 489
GIS Application Development (3) Advanced topics in GIS customization, including the Systems Development Life Cycle, packaging and deployment, and consuming Web services.
Effective: Summer 2004
Prerequisite:
GEOG 485
GEOG 493
Service Learning (3-12) Classroom instruction with supervised student activity on a group community service project.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
sophomore standing; 6 credits of social or environmental science
GEOG 494
Research Project in Geography (1-12) Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
prior approval of program
GEOG 494H
Research Project in Geography (1-12) Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.
Effective: Fall 2007
Prerequisite:
prior approval of program
GEOG 495
Internship (1-13) Supervised off-campus, non-group instruction including individual field experience, practicums, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.
Effective: Fall 1981
Prerequisite:
prior approval of proposed assignment by instructor
GEOG 495B
Geography Teaching Internship (1-10) Supervised undergraduate teaching experience in which students serve as peer tutors, laboratory assistants, or course material developers.
Effective: Summer 2004
GEOG 495C
Internship Supervision and Mentoring (1) Candidates for the Master of GIS degree sponsor a GIS-related internship for students in Penn State's resident undergraduate program.
Effective: Summer 2004
GEOG 495G
Giscience Internship (1-10) Supervised research experience within the Department of Geography's GeoVISTA Center, Gould Center, or an appropriate external agency.
Effective: Spring 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOG 160
GEOG 496
Independent Studies (1-18) Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOG 496A
S. Africa Independent Study (5) Research and service learning projects in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOG 497
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOG 497C
Geographies of Justice: Environment, Society and Development (3) This course will examine the origins of social and environmental justice in the United States and their application globally.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOG 497C
Environmental Issues Across the Americas (3) Comparative study into environmental issues and their possible solutions, encompassing social, cultural, and economic challenges.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOG 497D
Lidar Technology and Applications (3) Understanding lidar systems; design, operation, data processing techniques, and product generation to address typical application scenarios faced by the geospatial professional.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOG 497D
Lidar Technology and Applications (3) Understanding lidar systems' design, operation, data processing techniques, and product generation to address typical application scenarios faced by the geospatial professional.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOG 497E
Geovisual Technology Use & Usability (3) Understand geovisual technology use and utility assessment methods and apply selected methods to selected technologies under development at Penn State.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
Prerequisite:
GEOG 364 and 3 credits 400-level GIScience course (or permission of program).
GEOG 497E
Societies and Environments in the New South Africa (3) An introduction to the historical and contemporary interactions between societies and environments in South Africa.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOG 497F
Fire, Biogeochemistry, and Landscape Change (3) Field work and theoretical discussion of how vegetation, fire, and climate are likely to change across southern African landscapes.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOG 497G
Learn to Live with Change: Livelihood Vulnerabilities and Resilience to Multiple Stressors (3) An examination of livelihood constraints and opportunities of resource-poor communities and other stakeholders in conservation and development.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOG 497I
Global Citizenship (1) A project-based approach to defining global citizenship and building global competency.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOG 497J
GIS Mashup Development (3) Teaches GIS professionals how to develop web applications that bring together data from multiple sources.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOG 498
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 1998
GEOG 499
(IL)
Foreign Studies (1-12) Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
Effective: Summer 2006
Prerequisite:
prior approval of program
Last Import from UCM: November 21, 2009 3:00 AM