42 courses with the subject GGY, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
GGY 101Modern World Geography3
The theory, techniques, and professional applications of modern geographic science. Examines geography as a broad interdisciplinary science focused on places, spatial patterns, and the intersection between human activities and the natural world. Includes discussion of the historical origins and modern relevance of geographic thought.
Spatial distribution of environmental elements and processes, including weather and climate, groundwater, soils, rocks, plate tectonics, landforms, and vegetation. Three lecture and two laboratory hours each week.
Basic introduction to global climate change science and the potential impacts of global climate change. Explores global climate change skepticism and related political behaviors.
Regional survey of historical, physical, economic, and cultural geography of world regions. Fundamental locational geography as the foundation for a clear world view and an understanding of global interdependence.
Introduction to the maps, data, and methods commonly used by geographers to investigate spatial relationships from local to global scales. Includes the examination of geography as a discipline whereby human and physical environments are spatially explored.
Introduction to fundamental cartographic and geospatial data visualization principles that provide students the ability to describe, generate, and evaluate relevant products (maps, graphs, charts). The course uses examples from physical geography and human landscapes to practice the principles defined in the Essential Body of Knowledge used in geospatial professions.
Use and interpretation of statistical techniques in geographic and geologic research. The course emphasizes problem identification, data collection and interpretation through assignments covering specific kinds of statistical methods.
Examination of general climatic characteristics through space and time, especially as influenced by controls upon temperature, wind and moisture distributions, and by planetary, regional and local atmospheric disturbances.
Consideration of global water resources and hazards through the lens of the global water cycle. Covers the three main components of terrestrial hydrology: (1) atmospheric water and surface-atmosphere interactions, (2) groundwater and aquifers; and (3) surface waters, watersheds, floods. Discussion of the societal importance of water quality and availability issues.
GGY 321Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
Introduces fundamental concepts and principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Tools, functions, and capabilities of GIS desktop software (e.g. ArcGIS or QGIS) are explained and used to visualize and manipulate geospatial data.
Theory and application of remote sensing techniques and software applications for environmental sciences, geography, earth sciences, hydrology, archaeology, forestry, and public health. Includes satellite data collection, digital image processing, multispectral image analysis, introduction to thermal infrared and microwave data through laboratory exercises. Students work in small groups to apply remote sensing concepts to solve complex problems. Two lecture and two laboratory hours each week.
The spatial distribution and character of climates, their relation to other elements of the environment and to human activities. Students work individually or in small groups to solve problems through applications of climate principles and data.
A systematic treatment of the surface processes that shape fluvial, glacial, aeolian, and coastal landforms. Themes include process mechanics, description and classification of landforms, and evolution of landform systems. Students work individually or in small groups to analyze geomorphological data in field and laboratory settings. Three lecture and three laboratory hours each week.
GGY 340Global Change: Population, Resources, and the Environment3
Introduction to the four major driving forces of global change: demographic trends, natural resource use, climate change, and globalization. Explores the role of economic and cultural development and analyzes regional patterns that result in the unique manifestations of global change.
The study of islands and coasts as unique geographic features. Explores the physical processes of islands and coasts, the environmental history of islands and coasts, and current environmental issues unique to islands and coasts.
Applied study of geographic processes in field settings. Introduction to methods and techniques used in geography including sampling design, field measurements, data collection, and data analysis. Colloquium and required field trips (with associated costs).
Analysis of natural and anthropogenic global climate change with an emphasis on future global climate change. Topics include Earth’s energy balance, the global carbon cycle, climate modeling, atmospheric composition and dynamics. Review of geographical variation in climate change.
Introduction to GIS programming. The course will focus on how to customize applications and streamline spatial analysis, and is designed to improve students’ skills in conducting sophisticated spatial analysis and adapting to new technologies and programming languages. Two lecture and two laboratory hours each week.
Advanced theory and application of the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial data collection, data structures, data management, and relational databases, spatial analysis, and display of geographic information in a computer-based environment. Lectures, demonstrations, and lab exercises. Two lecture and two laboratory hours each week.
Use of GIS to investigate and measure spatial patterns of equity, social and environmental justice. Topics for discussion may include population migration, redlining, segregation, gentrification and environmental bias. Two lecture and three lab hours each week.
GGY 426Environmental Geographic Information Systems3
Overview of environmental applications of GIS including planning, date development, and analysis of the data, and oral and written presentation of the results. Students work individually or in small groups to remediate an environmental problem. Two lecture and two laboratory hours each week.
Advanced theory and application of remote sensing techniques and software applications for environmental sciences, geography, earth sciences, hydrology, archaeology, and forestry. Includes satellite data collection, advanced classification methods, hyperspectral and microwave image analysis, and satellite elevation data construction. Two lecture and two laboratory hours each week.
Introduction to the applications of unmanned aerial systems (UAS, or drones) in the geosciences. The course will cover an introduction to remote sensing and photogrammetry, the basics of UAS regulatory frameworks, and data collection and processing, with at least 40% of the class devoted to data collection in the field.
Study of the changing distribution patterns of plants and animals on a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Topics include abiotic and biotic controls on the distribution of life, disturbance, ecological communities, dispersal, invasion, speciation, extinctions, biogeographic realms, human impacts on biodiversity, and conservation.
A systems approach to understanding past, present and future human impacts on the natural environment, including changes and impacts on the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and cryosphere. A team-based learning experience emphasizing socio-environmental synthesis and concept application through a series of case studies discussion.
A review of the Quaternary Period, roughly the last two million years of earth history. Topics included the discovery of the ice age, climate change theory, glacial dynamics, geological and biological records of environmental change, and human evolution and migration during the Quaternary.
Pedogenic processes, morphology, classification, and geographic distribution of soils. Lab includes field description of soil profiles and laboratory analysis of soil samples. Three lecture and three laboratory hours each week.
A survey of the interdisciplinary field of geoarchaeology, broadly defined as the application of geoscience techniques to archaeological sites, materials and problems. Topics include historical interactions between geoscientists and archaeologists, formation of sediments and soils, principles of geological and archaeological stratigraphy, site discovery and analysis by geospatial methods, age dating methods, paleoenvironmental analysis as archaeological context, and mineralogical and microscopic analysis of archaeological materials.
Climatic change throughout geologic time, with an emphasis on Quatenary climate change. Topics include an overview of Earth’s climate system, tectonic-scale, orbital-scale, millennial-scale, and future climate change.
GGY 473Environmental Land Use Change and Planning3
Overview of the concepts and processes related to rural and urban development; growth and change, including land use issues and environmental planning strategies around land, water, and other natural resources; and critical evaluations of regional land use plans and policies. Students will conduct applied research on various regional/environmental land use issues and create outreach and communication tools in oral and written form.
This multi-disciplinary approach to planetary water management includes the history of water resource issues; natural hydrospheric water processes; water quality constituents in ecosystems and human health; water project construction and management; environmental impact issues of water quality, quantity, and management; and applications of water laws, allocation, economics, and conflict resolution.
Selected physical, cultural, regional, or applied topics in geography that are not considered in detail in regular course offerings. More than one topic may be taken for credit.
Involves investigation under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing courses. Students work individually on a research project with a faculty member. For further information, consult the Enrichment Courses and Programs section in the catalogue.
GGY 494International Field Experience in Geography1
Students will gain a deep understanding of diverse geographic topics in international settings. The class may include preparatory lectures and readings, faculty-led field trips, study abroad in classroom settings, and applied learning or research projects.
Supervised practical experience with a professional organization that provides services or research within the Earth and Ocean Sciences. Area of concentration, requirements, and means of evaluation to be defined in consultation with faculty.
Individual study for honors students. Students work with a faculty member and honors thesis committee to conduct focused research leading to an honors thesis.
