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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Geography (GEOG) Undergraduate Course Descriptions

GEOG 101. World Place Location
Location and geographic significance of major cultural and economic centers, political units, and important physical features in the landscape. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

+GEOG 111. Introduction to Global Geography (Diversity/MGM)
Global geographic thinking; understanding of global patterns. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 144. Travel and Tourism Internship Seminar
Policies and expectations for completing and internship (domestic/international) in the Travel and Tourism program. Must be taken the semester prior to the beginning of the internship. 1 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 216. Principles of Geographic Information Science
Basic principles, concepts and technology that are universal to all parts of Geographic Information Science and geographic information systems software. Integrated Lab. The department offers an examination for credit option for this course. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.

GEOG 253. Theories and Concepts in Geography
Philosophy, theories, concepts, methods, and techniques in the teaching of geography; required for Minnesota social studies teacher certification. 3 Cr. S.

+GEOG 270. Introduction to Cultural Geography (Diversity/MGM)
Examines a range of concepts, themes, and approaches geographers have used to explore how cultural ideas, practices and forms interact with particular spaces, places and landscapes. Topical. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 271. Economic Geography
Spatial patterns and organization of economic activities. Topical. 3 Cr. F, S.

+GEOG 273. Physical Geography
Geographic location, time/longitude concepts, earth-sun relationships, and spatial patterns of weather and climate. Integrated Lab. 3 Cr. F, SUM.

GEOG 274. Physical Geography II
Spatial patterns of vegetation, soils, and land forms: interrelatedness, distribution, and human adjustment/modification. Integrated Lab. 3 Cr. S.

+GEOG 275. Geography of the United States
How the cultural and physical elements of geography combine to impart regional identity. Regional. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 279. Geography of Outdoor Recreation
Perception, use, and management of amenities of landscape, particularly landscape of the United States of America. Topical. 3 Cr. F, SUM.

GEOG 290. World of Travel and Tourism
Introduction of the world of travel and tourism, with special emphasis on its industries, systems and career opportunities. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 303. Environmental Impact Statements
Preparation and use of environmental impact statements. Topical. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 315. GIS for the Urban Environment
Conceptual and practical underpinnings or establishing and using a Geographic Information System. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 316. Geographic Information Systems
Concepts of GIS, including the capture, preprocessing, storage, manipulation, and display of the spatial data. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 216. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 325. Geography of Soils
World-wide distributions, characteristics, and uses of major soil groups. Properties of soils classification schemes. 3 Cr. ALT.

GEOG 335. Land Surveying
Review of surveying. Surveying calculations; traverses, azimuths, areas, horizontal and vertical curves. (Students can challenge the course by examination.) Prereq.: Graduation from a two year technical/community college. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 336. Control and Geodetic Surveying
Control Surveys, UTM, SPCS and USPLSS. Deformation and hydrographic surveys. Ground control and photogrammetric mapping. Prereq.: 335 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 350. Introduction to Remote Sensing
Analysis of photographic images on the earth's landscape to identify objects that reveal spatial relations, and interpreting their significance. Consent of instructor. Topical. Integrated Lab. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 360. Geography of Travel and Tourism
Overview of the world and each major region to provide insight into geographic character and setting for tourism. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 361. Tourism Transportation Systems
Organization, structure and importance of passenger transportation systems. Prereq.: 290. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 362. Tourism Facilities Management
Organization and structure of tourism industry supply components and their management functions. Prereq.: 290. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 368. Geography of the Middle East
Geographical analysis of political, economic, and social issues relevant to the Middle East. Regional. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 369. Geography of East Asia
Physical, historical, cultural, economic and political geography of East Asia and its component countries of China and Taiwan, Japan, Korea. Regional. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

+GEOG 372. Conservation of World Resources
Conservation movement and its expression in conservation policies and activities. Supply, use, and management of natural resources, their planned development and use. Topical. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 373. Geography of Latin America
Geographical analysis of the physical, cultural, economic, and political diversity of the major regions and countries of Latin America. Regional. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 374. Geography of Europe
Regional treatment of areas dominated by the European Union. Interpretation of economic conditions. Regional. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 376. Geography of Minnesota
Geography of Minnesota: distribution of surface features, natural resources, climactic differences, crops and human activity. Regional. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 378. Geography of Russia
Physical and cultural characteristics and relationships of the land and population of Russia. Regional. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 379. American Wilderness
Perception, delineation, use and analysis of wilderness in the United States. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 384. Geography of the British Isles
Distribution of surface features, natural resources and cultural elements of the British Isles. Regional. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 385. Retail Geography
Study of the organization and location and connectivity of retailing activity. Use and value of land based upon absolute and relative location and connectivity. Integrated Lab. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 390. Geography Field Course
Geographic research methods; contemporary techniques for data collection, analysis, and presentation. Topical. Prereq.: Completion of the 200 level Geography core courses (216, 270, 271, 273, 274) and Junior or Senior standing. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 394. Urban Planning
Theory, objectives, and methods of the planning process, particularly in the United States. Topical. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 395. Tourism Distribution Systems
An applied geography course designed to explore how the tourism product is distributed to the consumer. Develop the student's awareness of the tourism industry's channels of distribution, their inter-relationships and means for effective utilization by both distributors and consumer. Prereq.: 290. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 396. Tourism Development
Advanced study of tourism: analyzing and planning tourism resources. Prereq.: 290. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 410. Educational Tours
First-hand study and experience of countries, cultures, and regions of the world. Regional. May be repeated. Intersession. 1-6 Cr. SUM.

GEOG 432. Applied Geography Seminar
Capstone project course for Geography majors. Independent original research culminating in a public presentation and written thesis. Satisfies UDWR for GEOG B.A. Prereq.: Geography majors; 390 and consent of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 433. Cadastral Surveying
Descriptions of land, metes and bounds. Easements and right-of-ways. Retracement surveys and proportioning. Witness corners, fences and lost corners. Surveyors liability, Minnesota Regulations. Prereq.: 336. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 434. Travel/Tourism Seminar
Application of selected travel/tourism concepts. Capstone course. Satisfies UDWR in Travel-Tourism B.A. Prereq.: Completion of travel/tourism core courses, and consent of instructor. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 435. Boundary Law
Practical understanding of real property boundary and conveyance law as it relates to surveying. Prereq.: 433 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 436. GPS/GIS Integration
Capstone project class: integration and mastery of GIS techniques and surveying skills. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 335, or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 438. Geodesy and Survey Adjustments
Geometrical and physical geodesy. Coordinate systems. Gravity and precise leveling. Error propagation, matrix algebra, least squares adjustment. Survey standards and specifications. Prereq.: 336, MATH 221, STAT 229 and permission of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 439. Surveying Seminar
Surveying office practice, land records research, contracts, preparation of technical paper. Preparation for FLS/LSIT exam. Must be taken in final semester. Satisfies UDWR for the B.S. and B.E.S. in Land Surveying. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 444. Internship: Practical Geography
Consent of department coordinator of internships required. Prereq.: 144 (only for Travel and Tourism Internships) 1-12 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 455. Urban Site Development
Subdivision design, subdivision requirements and constraints. Government regulations, public hearings, and project management. The plat and subdivision plan. Related calculations and software. Prereq.: 335. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 460. Travel Operations and Planning
Systematic analysis of commercial travel operations and group travel planning, incentive planning, meeting planning and other wholesale/retail travel operations. Prereq.: 290. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 469. Automated System-Worldspan
Information, content, and access to Worldspan travel automation system. Topical. Prereq.: 290, 360, 361. 3 Cr. F, S.

GEOG 470. Travel Automation
Principles and capabilities of domestic and foreign travel automation systems. Topical. 3 Cr. S.

Geography (GEOG) Courses for Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Students

GEOG 406/506. Thematic Cartography
Statistical mapping of spatial data, advanced manual and computer techniques. Topical. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 316 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 407/507. Map Design and Presentation
Advanced color desktop computer mapping techniques, such as multimedia and web-based cartography. Topical. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 406-506 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 416/516. Techniques in GIS
Standard techniques in geographic information systems. Topical. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 316 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 450/550. Digital Image Processing
Characteristics and qualities of nonconventional remote sensing imagery as it applies to inventory and assessment of environmental phenomena. Topical. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 350 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 454/554. Regional Planning
Comparative regional planning. Economic distribution and ideological differences. Topical. Integrated Lab. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 457/557. Preservation and Neighborhood Change
District and neighborhood preservation, investment analysis, and racial issues. Integrated Lab. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 462/562. Concepts in Spatial Analysis
Spatial, network and surface analysis. Topical. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 416 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 471/571. Historical Geography
Historical-geographical development of North America through concepts of modernity and modernization; imperialism and colonialism; race, class and gender; science and exploration; migration and settlement; industrialization, urbanization, and the modern capitalist state. Topical. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 472/572. Geomorphology
The configuration of the earth's surface and physical processes that have brought the surface to its present condition. Topical. 3 Cr. F.

GEOG 473/573. Biogeography
Spatial distribution of species and communities, their relations with the environment, historical changes, and conservation. Topical. Prereq.: 274 or BIOL 312 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 486/586. Political Geography
Geographic concepts applied to the analysis of political organization and behavior. Topical. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 490/590. Issues in Urban Geography
Selected contemporary issues in urban Geography. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 394 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 492/592. Water Resources
Major problems in the development and management of water resources: supply, distribution, quality, pollution, floods and variability; case-studies in selected regions. Topical. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 493/593. Gender, Space and Society: Global Perspectives
Relationships among gender, geography and society at seven key scales - the body, home, workplace, the environment, city, nation and the global. 3 Cr. DEMAND.

GEOG 496/596. Tourism and the Environment
Tourism and its relationship to the physical and cultural character of place. Sustainable development, particularly when expressed as eco-tourism. Prereq.: 396 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. S.

GEOG 497/597. Tourism Planning and Policy
Advanced planning principles and policy formulation frameworks/strategies applicable to tourism development at different scales-site, destination and regional. Case studies of applied tourism planning and policies in different countries. Prereq.: 290. 3 Cr. S.