Geography

Department of Geography
College of Arts and Sciences
105 Wilkeson Quadrangle
Ellicott Complex
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261-0055
(716) 645-2722
Fax: (716) 645-2329
Web: Geography
Hugh W. Calkins, Chair
Peter A. Rogerson, Director of Undergraduate Studies

The Program
Geography is primarily concerned with the locations and arrangements in space of human and natural phenomena, and with the interrelationships between people and their spatial environments. Geographers, therefore, are interested in such topics as human perception and behavior; the location of industry and business; urban growth and development; regional planning and policy study; physical and ecological environments; interactions of people and places over space and time; and the diffusion of information, commodities, and ideas.

Over the years, geography has developed four major traditions or approaches. One is a spatial tradition, with a focus on the importance of distance, direction, position, pattern, and movement as concepts worthy of study themselves, whatever the subject matter. A second approach to geography is that of area studies, which takes as its objective the characterization and differentiation of places through a thorough accounting of all of the places' aspects and attributes. A third and long-standing approach to geography is through a human-land tradition, which, as the name implies, entails a focus upon the interrelationships and interactions between people and their environment. The final tradition is the earth-science tradition, which involves a focus upon the study of the earth and the atmosphere.

Because of these wide interests, geographers must acquire training in quantitative methods, field techniques, computer technology, data handling and analysis, cartographic displays and production, and written and verbal communication skills. In addition, interdisciplinary work often is necessary in such areas as economics, computer science, psychology, geology, mathematics, marketing, statistics, information systems, and environmental sciences.

Joint and Double Majors
Joint and double majors with other departments in the university are encouraged. Students interested in joint programs are advised to obtain up-to-date information from the departments involved.

Students interested in geography are strongly encouraged to visit the department and talk with the director of undergraduate studies. Once students have been accepted as majors, they work with a department advisor and a program will be worked out to suit the individual student's needs and goals.

Transfer Policy
If prospective majors have taken geography courses at another school that they believe are equivalent to courses offered by this department, they should contact the director of undergraduate studies, who assists them in petitioning for acceptance of transfer geography credits.

Geography (GEO)

100 Geographic Perspectives and World Issues (3) (F; Sp)
Worldwide variations in the physical, economic, political, and social environments, and their impacts on the individual. LEC

101 Physical Environmental Geography (3) (F; Sp)
Studies contemporary aspects of geography: physical and environmental. Lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere of the earth. LEC

102 Introduction to Human Geography (3)
Examines contemporary issues from a spatial perspective, including population and demography, cities and urban development, global economic relations, political trends, social problems and the environment. LEC

103 Geography of Economic Systems (3) (F; Sp)
Theoretical and empirical assessment of the world's natural and human resources, and analysis of the spatial systems of production, exchange, and consumption. LEC

106 Physical Environmental Geography II (4) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO101
Investigates how humans have impacted the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, landform, soil, and ecological systems. Impacts include climate change, water pollution, desertification, and deforestation. Emphasizes the role of science in identifying and solving these problems. Students may not obtain credit for both this course and GLY101 or GLY102. LEC/LAB

120 Maps and Mapping (3) (F; Sp)
Map reading and interpretation. Uses of air photos for geographic research and everyday life. LEC

200 The Ocean World (3)
Introduces oceanography and its relationship to environmental, economic, and strategic aspects; impact of humans on the ecological balance among the oceans, continents, atmosphere, and living things. LEC

201 Disasters: A Study of Hazards (3)
Studies natural and human-induced disasters: storms, earthquakes, floods, fires, chemical pollution, war. Case studies, slides, films. LEC

231 U.S. Contemporary Problems (3)
Examines spatial structures and growth processes involving contemporary spatial dynamics of the American socioeconomic systems. LEC

330 Dynamics of International Business (3) (F)
Dynamics of the international environment of trade and direct investment; problems and decision-making strategies associated with international corporations. LEC

333 Bases of World Commerce (3) (Sp)
Theoretical and empirical study of the spatial aspects of commodity flows among countries and regions; conditions leading to trade and barriers to the movement of goods. LEC

334 International Environments and Commercial Problems (3)
Designed to help students who are preparing for careers in international business to gain a better understanding of the cultural differences among peoples. Emphasizes the problems that these differences may pose for business travelers, and suggests the attitudes and types of information that such individuals must acquire if they are to work effectively in foreign areas. LEC

347 Climatic Geomorphology (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO101 or permission of instructor
Geomorphic processes and landform development in humid, arid, periglacial, and glacial landscapes; impact of climatic change on landform development. LEC

348 Landform Development (3) (F)
Prerequisite: GEO101 or GLY103 or permission of instructor
Studies plate tectonics; structure; volcanism; minerals; rocks; weathering; slope development; and fluvial and coastal geomorphology. LEC

350 Landform Field and Laboratory Techniques (4) (F)
Prerequisite: GEO101 or permission of instructor
Studies use and application of various surveying instruments; measurement of hill slope and channel processes; analysis of sediment size, shape, and fabric. LEC/LAB

352 Introduction to Soils (3) (Sp)
Introduces soil-forming processes, composition and classification of soils, and the spatial distribution of major soil categories. Analyzes soil properties, soil/plant relationships, nutrients, land management practices, and ecological problems. LEC

355 Landscape Ecology (3) (F)
Prerequisite: GEO101 or permission of instructor
Examines the spatial structure, function, and dynamics of ecosystems. Applies this perspective to landscape management and conservation problems. Topics include community classification, natural disturbance, species dispersal, and biodiversity. LEC

356 Environmental Change (3) (Sp)
Investigates how landscapes, and vegetation systems in particular, have changed over the past 10,000 years in response to environmental changes. Focuses on methods of fossil pollen and tree ring analyses as tools to reconstruct changes in environmental factors, such as climate, fire, earthquakes, and pollution. LEC

366 Urban Geography (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO103 or permission of instructor
External relationships and internal spatial structure of cities in general; industrial, commercial, and residential patterns. LEC

367 Urban Social Geography (3)
Explores the urban hierarchy and relations between cities as the in ternal functions (and disfunctions) of cities. Focuses on social problems, economic processes, political forces, and the built environment in contemporary urban life. LEC

381 Cartography (4) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO120
Systematically introduces cartography; elements of mapping and map analysis; statistical maps and their use; drafting and computer graphics techniques. LEC/LAB

386 Cartographic Internship (1-9)
Prerequisites: GEO381, permission of instructor
Intensive training in cartography at a mapping facility. TUT

389 Geographic Information Systems (4) (Sp)
Introduces GIS. Provides a basic understanding of concepts underlying geographic data handling, and provides basic training in the use of a GIS. Principles of database systems, GIS functions, accessing data via the Internet. Students can expect to be reasonably fluent in the use of ARC/INFO and ARCview upon completing this course. LEC/LAB

410 Univariate Statistics in Geography (4) (F)
Prerequisite: GEO101 or GEO102 or GEO103 or permission of instructor
Introduces use of statistical techniques in geography; simulation experiments conducted in the laboratories; introduces SPSS computing. LEC/LAB

411 Multivariate Statistics in Geography (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO410 or permission of instructor
Analyzes variance; simple and multiple regression; factor and cluster analysis. LEC

418 Population Geography (3)
Examines recent trends in population redistribution in the United States. Methods for producing population estimates and forecasts. Applications of population analysis to the planning problems of government and business. LEC

419 Transportation (3) (F)
Prerequisite: GEO103 or GEO411 or permission of instructor
Studies evolution of the U.S. transportation system; contemporary transportation problems; provision of transportation, transport networks, transport flows, urban transportation, logistics, information technologies; transport and urban forms. Formerly GEO331. LEC

420 Transportation Models/GIS (4) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO481 recommended
Studies fundamental modeling techniques and application of transportation analysis and planning. Also covers the principles of geographic information systems for transportation (GIS-T). Discusses advanced theories and models. Weekly lab designed to provide hands-on exposure. LEC/LAB

425 Industrial Geography (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO103 or permission of instructor
Theoretical and empirical interpretation of manufacturing location; global patterns of production and decision making of the firm; locational change and interdependence of world regions. LEC

426 Senior Geography Seminar (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: senior standing in geography; for majors only
Topics vary each semester. SEM

440 Geographic Internship (3) (F; Sp)
For advanced students. Work opportunity in a local governmental agency or firm. See the director of undergraduate studies for more information. TUT

449 Fluvial Geomorphology (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO101 or permission of instructor
Hill slope hydrology; erosion, water, and sediment yields from drainage basins. Water and sediment in stream channels; channel geometry; humans' impact on stream channels. LEC

451-453 Special Topics in Cartography (3 cr each)
Prerequisite: GEO481 or GEO485 or permission of instructor
Advanced seminar. Topics vary each semester. Requires independent projects in the field being covered. SEM

454 Soils Laboratory Methods (3)
Prerequisites: GEO352
Studies soils laboratory techniques; field surveying methods. Soil surveying, slope measurement. LEC/LAB

460 Geography of Development (3) (F)
Prerequisite: GEO103 or GEO330 or GEO333 or permission of instructor
Reviews the literature dealing with the spatial and regional processes of economic development in the last half of the twentieth century. Emphasizes the influence of the evolving global economy upon the geographic patterns of economic development. LEC

470 Drainage Basin Form and Process (3)
Prerequisite: GEO101
Examines the processes of runoff generation and sediment production in drainage basins, the morphometric characteristics of drainage basins, and the links between drainage basin processes and morphometry. LEC

479 GIS and Environmental Modeling (4) (Sp)
Emphasizes GIS applications in environmental research. Methodology design is the primary focus and is discussed under the following topics: direct application of GIS functions, integrating GIS with statistics, and interfacing GIS and environmental models. Introduces case studies. The last section of the course covers advanced topics in GIS research. Lab exercises familiarize students with basic operation of GIS projects. LEC/LAB

481 Geographic Information Systems (4) (F)
Prerequisite: basic introduction to computer programming
Introduces students to the various uses of computers in geography, including spatial data handling. Covers principles of geographic information systems (GIS) and the basic internal operations of a GIS. Introduces students to the geographic information systems operating in the Geographic Information and Analysis Laboratory. LEC/LAB

483 Remote Sensing (4)
Prerequisite: GEO481 or GEO485 or permission of instructor
Principles, characteristics, and applications of remote sensing; practical training in the methods and techniques of the interpretation and analysis of aerospace remotely sensed data. LEC/LAB

484 GIS Applications (3)
Prerequisite: GEO481
Explores capabilities for micro- and minicomputer applications of geographic information systems, including such topics as data volumes, data partitioning, and database construction and maintenance. Explores applications to urban-planning and natural-resource management using ARC/INFO. LEC

485 Cartography and Geographic Visualization (4)
Prerequisite: GEO120 or GEO381 or permission of instructor
Examines current issues in cartography and geographic visualization (GVIS), focusing on the use of maps and other visual representations to facilitate thinking, problem solving, and decision making in geography. Lectures focus on the history and conceptual background of cartography and GVIS, visual functions and forms, and such topics as interface design, animation, multimedia, hypermedia, color, sound, multivariate displays, terrain, etc. Lab sessions provide hands-on experience in constructing basic cartographic visualization tools with various hardware and software packages. LEC/REC

486 Spatial Decision-Support Systems (3)
Prerequisite: GEO481
Adds the spatial element to decision-support systems by integrating analytic modeling and GIS; issues in system design and implementation. LEC

487 Thematic Cartography (4) (Sp)
Applies formal principles of graphic design with skills of computer and manual cartographic production. Introduces principles and skills of computer-assisted cartographic production, and of photographic and digital-enhancement techniques that may be incorporated in the map production process. LEC

488 GIS Design (4) (Sp)
Prerequisite: GEO481
Emphasizes problems and methods for defining GIS user needs and the development cycle. Adapts methods and software engineering to the GIS planning process. Topics include product identification, data sources, system selection, and implementation scheduling. LEC/LAB

489 GIS Algorithms and Data Structures (4) (Sp)
Examines the data models for geographic information systems. Student programming projects emphasize alternative methods of implementing common GIS operations. LEC/LAB

490 Geography Honors Program (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Students who have completed at least 96 credit hours and who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in geography and overall are eligible to participate in the honors program. See director of undergraduate studies for more information. TUT

497 Geostatistics (3) (F)
Prerequisite: GEO410 or equivalent
Introduces the basic concepts, assumptions, statistical principles, and applications of geostatistics. Topics include spatial interpolation; the relationship of geostatistics to geographic information systems. Students also gain experience in the use of a geostatistics software package. LEC

499 Independent Study (1-4) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
TUT

Geography - B.A.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in any two geography courses

To concentrate your studies in one of our specialty areas, please see descriptions below and/or contact the department.

General Geography Concentration
Required Courses
GEO101 Physical Environmental Geography
GEO102 Introduction to Human Geography or GEO103 Geography of Economic Systems
GEO120 Maps and Mapping
GEO410 Univariate Statistics in Geography (or another approved statistics course)
One computer science course
One 300/400-level course from each of the following specialty areas: physical geography/environmental systems; GIS and cartography; international business and world trade; and urban and regional analysis

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements (General Geography Concentration)

First Year
Fall-General education requirements
Spring-General education requirements

Second Year
Fall-Two or three lower-level geography courses (choose from GEO101; GEO102 or GEO103; and GEO120)
Spring-One computer science course, two or three geography electives

Third Year
Fall-GEO410, two or three geography electives
Spring-Two or three geography electives

Fourth Year
Fall and Spring-Remaining geography electives

Specialty Areas
(in addition to the general concentration)

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Cartography
Departmental courses required

• GEO101; GEO102 or GEO103; GEO120, GEO381, GEO410, GEO411, GEO481, and GEO485
• One 300/400-level course in each of the three specialty areas
• Two of the following: GEO420, GEO450-453, GEO479, GEO483, GEO484, GEO486, GEO488, GEO489, GEO497

• Two of the following: MTH121, MTH122, MTH141, MTH142
• Two of the following: CSE113, CSE114, CSE250, CSE305, CSE480, EAS140

• GEO101; GEO102 or GEO103; GEO120, GEO330, GEO333, GEO334, GEO410, GEO411, GEO419, GEO425, GEO460
• One 300- or 400-level course in both physical geography/environmental systems and GIS/cartography areas

• ECO181, ECO182, ENG101
• One computer science course
• Two of the following: ECO435, MGA201, MGB301, MGF301, MGM301, writing/communication courses, foreign language courses

• GEO101; GEO102 or GEO103; GEO120, GEO410
• One 300/400-level course in each of the three other specialty areas
• Six courses from the following: GEO106, GEO200, GEO201, GEO347, GEO348, GEO350, GEO352, GEO355, GEO356, GEO440, GEO449, GEO454, GEO479, GEO 483, GEO499

• CSE101 or CSE113; GLY103 or GLY112; MTH121 or MTH141
• Two semesters of biology, chemistry, or physics

• GEO101, GEO102, GEO103, GEO120, GEO366, GEO410, GEO411; GEO418 or GEO460; GEO419, GEO425
• One 300/400-level course in physical geography and environmental systems
• One 300/400-level course in GIS and cartography
• One of the following: GEO440, GEO490, GEO499

• CSE113 or EAS140; ECO182

Academic Affairs

Phone: (716) 645-6003

Fax: (716) 645-2549

Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:18 EST