Credits 18
- Subject
- GEO
- Credits (min)
- 3
- Credits (max)
- 3
- Type
- course
- Edition
- 2026-2027-undergraduate
- Source
- catalog.wcupa.edu
64 courses with the subject GEO, 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.
Credits 18
This course offers a comprehensive examination of the interactions between Earth's systems —geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere—and their relevance to current global challenges. Students will explore landforms, geological processes, atmospheric dynamics, hydrological cycles, and ecosystem interactions within various geographical contexts, gaining insights into climate change, natural disasters, and sustainability. Distance education offering may be available.
An inquiry into the theoretical and applied approaches to the study of human spatial behavior and the distribution of social problems. Gen Ed Attribute: Behavior/Soc Science Distrib, Global Awareness Pathway Distance education offering may be available.
This course develops critical thinking skills through the exploration of the fundamental components of data analytics in terms of spatial data and geospatial technologies. This includes the basic concepts and skills related to the 3 core areas of analytics, 1) data, 2) analysis, and 3) visualization. Data structures and skills are examined within the context of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Spreadsheets, database tools, GIS software, and geospatial technology are used to capture, manage, and store spatial data. Analysis tools, such as spreadsheet functions, scripts, and GIS software are used to investigate data sets related to discipline-specific projects. Geovisualization of results are communicated using map applications, dash boards, and story maps.
Transfer Credits
This course introduces students to historical and current spatial patterns within global cities. This class will discuss the major concepts of urban development and growth, globalization, and city systems using lectures, class discussion, and videos. The goal of the course is to provide the students with an understanding of the basic principles of geography and apply those principles to the study of cities across the globe. The course emphasizes the environmental and human characteristics that make cities distinctive collectively and individually. Gen Ed Attribute: Behavior/Soc Science Distrib Distance education offering may be available.
An examination of the breadth of urban studies from the perspectives of many social science disciplines. Philadelphia is emphasized as an object of perception, as a place of life and livelihood, and as an example of continual change in the urban environment. Gen Ed Attribute: Diverse Communities, Interdisciplinary Distance education offering may be available. 283
In this course, students will apply an ethical lens to explore maps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and other location-enabled technologies, with an eye towards (1) understanding the ways that they have been used (and abused) to promote inequality and (2) examining recent efforts to use GIS to combat this past and promote social justice. This course will combine readings and discussion with GIS lab activities that engage students in map- making to promote social change. Students will ultimately focus on the questions "What does justice look like?" and "How can GIS help us get there?" This is an introductory course with hands-on technology experience. Gen Ed Attribute: Ethics Requirement
A course in crime mapping and the analysis of maps of crime patterns, police services, locations of criminal incidents, offenders' geographical behaviors, and spatial trends in crime. Distance education offering may be available. Equivalent courses: CRJ 215
Introduction to mapping and remote sensing. Thorough exposure to grid coordinate systems, representative fractions/scale, map projections, and mapping systems. Also, aerial photographs, digital orthophotos, satellite images, and computers as tools. Distance education offering may be available.
An inquiry into the problems of resources protection, management and sustainability. Emphasis is placed on the United States. Gen Ed Attribute: Behavior/Soc Science Distrib, Sustainability Pathway Distance education offering may be available.
Human beings eat food daily and this necessity has led to conversion of half of the Earth's land surface to agricultural use. This course introduces students to the spatial patterns of agricultural systems on the planet, the physical geography related to them. Students will investigate the impacts of modern agriculture on the environment, and human culture and health. This will be followed by an introduction to sustainable alternatives including local small scale organic agriculture, urban gardening, and resilient diverse food cropping systems. Students will choose a region of the world to study sustainable agricultural systems and prepare a regional food dish to share with the class. Gen Ed Attribute: Behavior/Soc Science Distrib, Sustainability Pathway Distance education offering may be available. Equivalent courses: GEO 205
This course explores the spatial patterns and processes of climate, its variability across spatial temporal scales, and human impact and response to climate change. It emphasizes an applied approach to understanding these patterns/processes through mapping and analysis of environmental issues such as global warming, sea level rise, and changes in storm patterns. Using real world local, regional, and global examples, this course provides an understanding of how climate science intersects with geography, GIS, and environmental planning; highlighting strategies for addressing the challenges of climate change. Distance education offering may be available.
An examination of the complexity and diversity of the physical and human landscapes of the U.S. and Canada. This course explores the diverse landscapes, cultures, and environmental challenges of the United States and Canada. Students will gain a deep understanding of the geographic similarities and differences across the region, from its vast ecoregions to its unique social and cultural phenomena. Course topics include pressing environmental issues such as climate change, habitat loss, hazards, and local responses to these issues. Distance education offering may be available.
Central and South America are studied with emphasis on geographic understanding of the major sources of change in recent times. The course focuses on selected individual countries in addition to presentation of the region as a whole. Gen Ed Attribute: Spanish Culture Cluster Distance education offering may be available. 284
A survey course focusing on the regional geography of Europe. The course includes and examination of the physical environment, cultural traditions, lifestyles, economies, urban environment and political change throughout the region. Gen Ed Attribute: French Culture Cluster, German Culture Cluster, Italian Culture Cluster Distance education offering may be available.
This course is a survey course focusing on the geography of Asia. This course utilizes a systematic approach to understanding Asia's geography and includes an examination of the physical environment, the cultural traditions, lifestyles, economies, development, and urban environment throughout the Asia region. The course focuses on the regions of South, Central, East, and Southeast Asia. Russia and the eastern countries of the former Soviet Union are also covered. Gen Ed Attribute: Russian Culture Cluster
This course prepares students with essential understanding and skills related to the appropriate and legal use of UAS systems to plan and perform drone-related missions to properly collect, manage, analyze, and visualize imagery data. Basic FAA UAS flight and safety procedures are studied. Students will become familiar with basic drone components, operations, and use for data acquisition. The course covers the use of GIS and flight management software for flight planning, image processing, and visualization. Image classification and analysis assignments include the use of basic Machine Learning modules for supervised and unsupervised image classification and object extraction. This course will prepare students to take the FAA Part 107 (b) Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems License exam. Course materials and assignments will also prepare students to meet emerging UAS workforce needs.
This course examines the processes of population change (fertility, mortality, health, and migration) and the changes in population distribution and composition from the international to the local scale. In addition to a substantive study of these topics, students are introduced to the use of primary data sources, such as the US Census for demographic description and policy recommendations. Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis
Analysis of patterns, processes, and consequences of urban growth and development. Theory of systems, size, spacing, and functions of cities. Students will conduct outside analysis using real data. Gen Ed Attribute: Diverse Communities / GEO 316. GIS for Climate Monitoring, Hazards, and Emergency Management. 3 Credits. As climate change intensifies, urban and community planning, as well as emergency management of hazards, need cutting-edge tools to plan for and respond to natural and human-induced disasters. This course explores the role of GIS for use and analysis of local and global climate and infrastructure data for Planning and Emergency Response. Students will learn how GIS is used as part of the FEMA Emergency Management Guidelines, Professional Planners use GIS to plan for hazard mitigation, and how local emergency professionals use GIS to monitor and respond to emergency events. Distance education offering may be available.
As climate change intensifies, urban and community planning, as well as emergency management of hazards, need cutting-edge tools to plan for and respond to natural and human-induced disasters. This course explores the role of GIS for use and analysis of local and global climate and infrastructure data for Planning and Emergency Response. Students will learn how GIS is used as part of the FEMA Emergency Management Guidelines, Professional Planners use GIS to plan for hazard mitigation, and how local emergency professionals use GIS to monitor and respond to emergency events.
This course studies the spatial patterns of sustainable economic activities, including production, consumption, and settlement. It provides an understanding of their location, the processes of change, and relates this to environmental and community issues. The course is both international and place-based in scope, with an emphasis on economic concepts and the global economy, and the local impacts of global economic forces. It also examines the role that the local public sector plays in generating economic development (jobs, employment, and tax base). Distance education offering may be available.
This course reviews the principles of cartography and geographic information systems (GIS.) It is also a study of how GIS software is used to enhance the decision-making process. Using ESRI’s ArcGIS software, students will add demographic, environmental, political, economic, and other types of data to computerized maps. Distance education offering may be available. 2026-2027 CATALOG - UNDERGRADUATE
or ACC 330 Accounting Data Analytics
Applications of basic statistical techniques to problems of spatial significance, emphasizing the adaptation of technique to problem, and the understanding and interpretation of specific analytical methods as applied to real-world situations. GEO 326 Prerequisite: Successful completion of MAT 103, MAT 113, MAT 115, MAT 121, MAT 131, MAT 143, MAT 161, or MAT 199. Equivalent courses: PLN 326
This course provides an overview of a variety of computer mapping programs and hands-on experience utilizing those programs. The course is structured to develop design skills related t the effective creation of maps. Graphic techniques are emphasized that relate to the effective display and communication of spatial phenomena. Distance education offering may be available.
The nature and dimensions of environmental problems with an emphasis on endangered life-support systems. Aspects of natural and social environment systems and their mutual interrelationships. Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis
This course will explore the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and how they have been applied to urban development in the quest to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal of making cities "inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable." Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis, Sustainability Pathway
Practical solutions and innovative thinking in how students can adopt a more sustainable lifestyle personally and professionally. Three interconnected objectives of sustainability- economic vitality, environmental integrity, and social equity- will serve as core themes in the course. Distance education offering may be available.
Credits. This course reviews the principles of cartography and GIS in terms of environmental applications. Using ESRI's and ArcGIS software, students will add environmental, political, economic, and other types of data to computerized maps to explore environmental analysis. These data will then be spatially examined and manipulated to review the process of mapmaking and decision-making. Distance education offering may be available.
The study of contemporary geographical patterns of plants and animals, and the overall processes which influence landscape development and characteristics, such as climatic and geomorphic events, and anthropogenic activities. Distance education offering may be available.
Geopolitics examines how spatial configurations align with specific expressions of power. This course employs a method that scrutinizes the utilization of environmental issues to strengthen geopolitical assertions and actualities. It delves into how the environment is integrated into narratives, actions, and tangible expressions of power and locations. Environmental geopolitics promotes contemplation regarding the comprehension, depiction, and portrayal of specific elements within nonhuman environments concerning their spatial implications for risk or security. Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis
This course introduces various field methods and techniques used in geographic research, in both physical and human geography. Students will gain practical and applied skills that prepare them to better understand human-environmental interactions and other geographic phenomena. Distance education offering may be available. 2026-2027 CATALOG - UNDERGRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND PLANNING
The study of historical and contemporary trends in geography; the design, preparation, and defense of a research proposal. Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis, Writing Emphasis
This course reviews principles and applications of cartography and geographic information systems (GIS) in terms of internet and mobile mapping technologies. Web-distributed maps, internet map services, navigation/Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and cell phone based applications are examined through the use of ArcGIS Internet map server, Google Earth, Google APIs and cell phone applications. Distance education offering may be available.
Intensive examination of a selected area of study in the field of geography. Topics will be announced at the time of offering. Course may be taken more than once when different topics are presented. o Repeatable for credit.
This course is designed for students to utilize the Geodesign framework and GIS (Geographic Information System) techniques to devise sustainable and resilient solutions for urban and community issues. GEO 403 Prerequisite: Successful completion of GEO 324.
The execution of the research proposal (designed in GEO 400) as an acceptable departmental senior research paper. GEO 404 Prerequisite: Successful completion of GEO 400.
Research projects, reports, and readings in geography. Repeatable for credit.
Practical job experience in applying geographic theory, executing substantive research, and engaging in community service in selected off-campus situations. Open only to upper-division B.S. majors and minors in geography/planning with permission of department chairperson. Repeatable for credit.
A course to advance the student's knowledge of the design and implementation of geographic information systems. GEO 424 Prerequisite: Successful completion of GEO 324. Distance education offering may be available.
Intensive use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in the business environment to aid in better sales and marketing decisions. Course provides a conceptual overview of database management systems from MIS to geodatabases and their integration with a GIS. Case studies draw numerous examples from various businesses. Student tutorials provide hands-on opportunities for students to experience and learn how to use GIS within a business problem- solving framework. GEO 425 Prerequisite: Successful completion of GEO 325. Distance education offering may be available.
The course teaches students the concepts and design of geographic database systems in the process of geographic analysis. Distance education offering may be available.
Special topics in geography or planning not offered under existing, regularly offered courses.
This course is intended to provide an introduction to the study of geography at the graduate level, with a focus on understanding various approaches to the discipline through the lens of a common theme: inequality and social justice. Over the course of the semester, students will also develop their own research ideas through completion of a comprehensive annotated bibliography and literature review on a topic of their choosing. Distance education offering may be available.
This graduate seminar provides an in-depth exploration of Earth's physical processes and their interactions with human activities, with a focus on one of the Earth’s interconnected spheres: biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, or hydrosphere. Through advanced study and research, students will develop specialized expertise in a specific area of physical geography that is central to the discipline. The seminar emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and the integration of physical geography with contemporary environmental and sustainability issues.
This course reviews principles and applications of cartography and geographic information systems (GIS) in terms of internet and mobile mapping technologies. Web-distributed maps, internet map services, navigation/Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and cell-phone-based applications are examined through the use of ArcGIS Internet map server, Google Earth, Google APIs, and cell phone applications. Distance education offering may be available. 171
Fundamental statistics, methods, and techniques applied to geographic research and decision making, such as urban and regional planning.
Component systems and functional operations of urban/suburban communities, including ecological and demographic aspects. Emphasis on organization, development, change, and problems of communities.
Characteristics and distribution of world populations are studied. The dynamic processes of population change (mortality, fertility, and migration) are examined.
Urbanization processes and problems; urban systems in the expanding metropolitan and regional setting; present and proposed efforts to solve urban problems.
Transportation issues that face today's planners are studied and various means of analysis demonstrated. Computer assignments use EMME/2 package.
The common principles and concepts of Geographic Information Systems; examination of the theory and tools of spatial data analysis through specific applications.
This course reviews the principles of geodatabase development and use in geographic information systems (GIS). It is a study of how GIS software is used to enhance decision- making process through advanced database operation. The course includes an in-depth exploration of database design and management techniques. The process of creating information models of real world processes is examined through the development of a geodatabase. These data will then be spatially examined and manipulated to review the process of database development and decision-making. Distance education offering may be available.
This course explores the dynamic relationship between environment, sustainability, and socio-political movements in Latin America, with a focus on both biophysical processes and the historical, economic, and cultural forces shaping the region’s environmental landscape. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and active engagement with the complex intersections of environmental degradation, social justice, and the transformative potential of grassroots movements in building a more sustainable and equitable future for the region. Distance education offering may be available.
This course makes use of large datasets and GIS in analystical studies and strategic decision- making in the commerical sector, involvoing store location, geodemographics and marketing information. Distance education offering may be available.
Applied research problem solving for resource management and environmental issues designed for an individual student or team-study basis.
This course reviews the principles of geodatabase development and use in GIS. It is also a study of how GIS software is used to enhance the decision making process through advanced database operations. Using ESRI's ArcGIS software, students will add demographic, environmental, political, economic, and other types of data to GIS applications. These data wil then be spatially examined and manipulated to review the process of database development and decision making. Distance education offering may be available.
This course builds on GEO 534, expands upon important technical concepts in greater detail, and explores a range of GIS application areas. GEO 584 Prerequisite: Successful completion of GEO 534. Distance education offering may be available.
An advanced field course that includes urban and land-use studies. Use of field methods, mapping, and data collection for geographical reports.
Repeatable for credit.
Research projects, reports, and readings in geography. Repeatable for credit.
A thesis is developed on a research problem for which the student formulates a theory, proposition or hypothesis, and investigates available information on the subject. Repeatable for credit.
On-the-job experience in the application of theory, execution of substantive research, and provision of service with professional agencies at selected off-campus locations. Repeatable for credit.
Source: West Chester University of Pennsylvania's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 59