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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Department of Geography and Geology
University of Wisconsin Colleges
Geography 101
Introduction to Cultural Geography (3 cr)
A survey of world patterns of
culture, including population, language, religion, urban and rural settlement, and their
causal relationships, emphasizing the global diversity of world cultures, contrasting
world views and the issues thus raised. SS
Geography 102
Roots and Diversity (3 cr)
The geography of American ethnic minority
groups. An introduction to ethnic geography that examines the experience of people of
African, Asian, Latino, and Native heritage in the United States and Canada. These ethnic
minorities are studied using the major themes of cultural geography such as spatial
distribution, migration patterns and locational patterns. SS/ES.
Geography 104/Geology 104
Landscapes of North America
(4 cr.)
A general survey of the characteristics and origins of major natural/physical regions
of North America, with emphasis on national parks and monuments and other public
areas. NS/LS
Geography 106
Geographic Information Sciences (3 cr)
This course is currently being developed by the UW Colleges Department of Geography and
Geology. It will be offered on the UW-Baraboo campus probably within the next two
years, depending on when the new Geography/Geology computing facilities are up and
running. This course will be a hands-on, application-type course focusing on the
various technologies used in the earth sciences, particularly computer technology.
Although this course will use examples from the geosciences, the methods are applicable
to many other disciplines (e.g., business and marketing, anthropology,
sociology, history, and the other sciences) NS/LS
BACK
Geography/Geology 107
Introduction to Maps and Air
Photos (3-4 cr.)
The use and interpretation of aerial photos and other forms of remote sensing and
the basics of map reading, analysis, and interpretation including a brief introducation to
the principles of map design and construction. Emphasis on topographic and thematic
maps and air photos. NS (if 4 cr also LS)
Geography 110
World Regional Geography (3 cr.)
Introduction to cultural geography through the integrated
study of representative and significant world regions. Examples will compare and
contrast present and potential ethnic, social, political, and environmental problems
across the regions of the world, and explore basic solutions. SS
Geography 115
Economic Geography (3 cr)
Analysis of location of population and the distribution
and character of the leading global economic activities: agriculature, fishing,
forestry, miningm manufacturing, transportation, and trade. Field trips.
SS/ES
Geography 120
The Physical Environment (availalable as asyncronous online
course)
(4-5 cr.)
Characteristics and world distribution of physical factors which in combination form
the natural environment: elements of weather and climate, climate types, earth
materials, landforms, and earth resources. Two hours of lab per week.
Field
trips. May not be taken for credit by students who have had Geo123 or Geo 124.
NS/LS
Geography 123
Physical Geography: Weather and Climate (5 cr.)
Study of Earth's atmospheric elements in both the short
term (weather events) and long term (climate and climate change). Study includes:
temperature; the seasons; pressure; wind and wind systems; humidity; cloud cover;
stability and precipitation; jet streams; cyclones and fronts; tornadoes and hurricanes.
Study of the world's different climate regions, soils, and vegetation; climate change
(Greenhouse Effect, Ice Ages); and human interaction with weather and climate. Lab work
includes data, map, and chart analysis. NS/LS
BACK
Geography 124
Physical Geography: Landforms (5 cr.)
Study of the evolution and distribution of Earth's surface
features (landforms) and physical landscapes. Study of the processes that have shaped
them. Study includes plate tectonics, volcanoes, faults, rivers and river flow, glaciers,
beaches, dunes, landslides, etc. Lab work includes the study of common rocks and minerals,
and instruction in the use of topographic maps and aerial photographs to analyze the
features and landscapes. NS/LS
Geography 125
Survey of Physical Geography
(3 cr)
Characteristics and world distribution of physical factors which in combination form
the natural environment: elements of weather and climate, climate types, earth
materials, landforms, and earth resources. May not be taken for credit by students
who have had GEO 123 or GEO 124. NS
Geography 130
Human Impact on the Environment (3-4 cr)
A natural science course describing the alteration of the physical environment with the
resulting effects on air, water, soils, vegetatioin, animal life, and humans. Field
trips. NS (if 4 cr also LS)
Geography
170
Disasters: Living on the Edge (3-4 cr)
Study of various environmental hazards, their causes, impacts on humans,
and mitigations. Core topics are
natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, landslides, tornadoes,
hurricanes), and anthropogenic hazards (climate change/global warming, nuclear
hazards, and overpopulation). Additional
topics may be covered: coastal
hazards, pollution of groundwater, air, soil, and water, other atmospheric
hazards (extreme weather, droughts), impacts from space, extinctions,
biohazards, chemical hazards, and terrorism.
May not be taken for credit by students who have had Glg 169, Glg 135.
NS (if 4 cr also LS)
Geography 200
Historical Geography of the American Frontier
(3 cr)
An analysis of human adjustment to and alterations of the natural environment of the
United States and adjacent parts of Canada at succeeding stages of time. Emphasis
given to the westward movement of settlement and the impact of major cultural groups on
the land, with special attention directed to the role of these groups in the formation of
the present cultural landscape. SS
BACK
Geography 277
Geography of World Energy (3 cr)
An analysis of traditional and innovative energy resources. SS
Geography291
Geographic Field
Study (1-6 cr)
For exceptional students in lieu of a regular course. Prerequisite:
sophomore standing and consent of instructor. AP
Geography 297
Special Topics (1-3 cr)
The topics selected in this course will depend on student
interest and special competencies of available staff. Prerequisites:
consent of instructor.
Geography 299
Independent Study (1-3 cr)
Individual study under the supervison of an instructor. Prerequisite:
consent of instructor
Geography 300
Population: World Survey
(3-4 cr)
Contrasts in numbers, densities, and quanlities of population with emphasis on regional
implication. Prerequisite: one semester of college work.
SS
Geography 342
Geography of Wisconsin (3
cr.)
Geography 350
Environmental Conservation (3 cr)
Study of the human use, conservation, and management of the Earth's resources;
ecosystems; human interactions with the environment; human population growth; impact of
technology on the environment; and practical solutions to environmental problems. (GEO 350
meets the DPI requirements for environmental education at some UW baccalaureate
institutions.) Prerequisite: 1 semester of college work. SS
BACK
Geology 100
Survey of Geology (3 cr)
A brief study of minerals, rocks, fossils, geologic maps, and the processes which
create and modify the surface and subsurface features of the earth. Field trips.
Not open to those who have had Glg 101, Glg 102. NS
Geology 101
Physical Geology (5 cr)
Study of the physical nature of planet Earth: the processes in operation above, on ,
and beneath the surface that continue to shape its physical evolution (e.g.
vulcanism,
plate tectonics, faulting and earthquakes, glaciation, rivers); the origin and nature of
common minerals and rocks and their distribution in the world; landscapes and their
origins (e.g. mountain ranges, glacial forms, river valleys, etc.). Lab work
includes the study of rocks and minerals and the interpretation of geologic and
topographic maps and aerial photographs. NS/LS
Geology 102
Historical Geology
(5 cr)
Study of the history of Earth, beginning with its place in the solar system. An
introduction to common rocks and minerals, to geologic principles and reasoning, and to
concepts of geologic time. Study of how the physical geography of Earth has changed
through time and how the changes recorded in the rock record tell of seas, mountain
ranges, deserts, and ice ages throughout geologic time. Study of the fossil record and how
life on Earth has changed to cope with the varying physical environments of Earth. Lab
work includes work with diagrams, air photos, geologic maps, and fossils.
NS/LS
Geology 135
Environmental Geology (3 cr)
Applications of the science of geology to problems resulting from our intense use of
the earth and its resources. Field trip required. NS
BACK
Geology 169
Earth Science and Human Environment (4 cr)
The physical environment and our interaction with it. Emphasis on earth processes which
affect humans, such as flooding, erosion, groundwater, landslides, and earthquakes. The
impact of humans upon the environment. Air, water, and soil pollution studied from a
physical-chemical standpoint. The depletion of energy and mineral resources and the need
for humans to design with nature. Lab includes work with topographic maps, diagrams, and
data. NS/LS
Geology 291
Geological Field Studies (1-6 cr)
Formal classroom study of an area of geologic interest followed by field study of the
area. May be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisites: consent of
instructor AP
Geology 297
Special Topics
(1-3 cr)
The topics selected in this course will depend on student interest and special
competencies of available staff. Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
Geology 299
Independent Study (1-3 cr)
Individual study under the supervison of instructor. Prerequisite: consent
of instructor
Geology 309
Geomorphology
(3 cr.)
Principles and analysis of geomorphic processes and resulting landforms.
Prerequisites: 1 of the following - GLG 100, GLG 101, GLG 135, GEO 120, or GEO 124.
NS
BACK
Geology 343
Glacial & Pleistocene Geology (3 cr)
Principles, characteristics, and work of glaciers; events of the Pleistocene epoch.
Prerequisites: 1 of the following - GLG 100, GLG 101, GLG 135, GEO 120,
or GEO 124. NS
Meteorology 100
Introduction to Meteorology
(availalable as asyncronous online
course) (2-4 cr)
Introductory course in meteorology. Nature and causes of wind, clouds and
precipitation; storm systems and fronts; thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes; weather
maps and forecasting. NS (2-3 cr)/(if 4 cr also LS
Astronomy 100
Survey of Astronomy (3-4 cr)
Descriptive survey of astronomy for students with minimal background in mathematics and
science; the solar system, stars, nebulae, galaxies, cosmology, astronomical methods.
May be offered for three credits without laboratory work or for four credits with
laboratory work consisting of telescopic observation, laboratory demonstration, and
astronomy exercises. Normally not open to students who have the prerequisites for
AST 200. Prerequisite: high school algebra and geometry or consent of
instructor. NS (if 4 cr also LS)
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