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Degrees/Courses
Degrees
 
Degrees
Major Requirements
Thirty-two (32) semester hours which include GY101, 120, 150 or 151, 285, 320, 340 and either 490 or 491. Of the remaining courses, at least one must be systematic and one must be regional. Students must obtain a grade of “C” or higher if they want to count the class toward a geography major.
 
Minor Requirements
Twenty-four (24) semester hours which include GY101, 120, 320, and 340.
 
Major Requirements For Those Seeking Teacher Certification
Thirty-two semester hours which include GY101, 120, 285 or 340, 320, 490 or 491. Of the remaining courses, at least three must be from the following regional courses: GY129, 130, 150, 151, 302 or 328. The remaining credits should be from systematic courses. Systematic courses include GY212, 264, 350, and 462.
 
Minor Requirements For Those Seeking Teacher Certification
Twenty-four semester hours which include GY101, 120, and 320. Of the remaining courses three must be from the following regional courses: GY130, 150, 151, 302, 316 or 328. The remaining course should be selected from the systematic courses.
 
Courses
GY101 Earth Environments (4) NL
Natural elements of environment and effects on man: seasons, radiation, wind, moisture, climate, as well as landforms resulting from running water, ice, gravity,
marine activities, and tectonic processes. Three hours lecture, two hours lab each week.
 
GY120 Human Geography (4) CPG
The geographic subfield of Human Geography discusses and interprets the role of human beings as they are distributed across the surface of the earth. This
is a far-ranging field of inquiry that incorporates information from the traditional social scientific realms of economics, sociology, political science, and anthropology into a spatial analysis of the world around us. Given the nature of the topic, this course will be introductory in nature and examine the breadth of cultural geographic thought.
 
GY129 Physical Geography of Michigan (3) NN
Detailed analysis of the physical characteristics of Michigan; emphasis on weather, land forms, geology, and environmental problems. Special Note: Not open to students with GY130 credit.
 
GY130 Geography of Michigan (3)
Analysis of physical and cultural environments of this politically defined area; emphasis on weather, climate, land forms, political, social, and economic features.
Special Note: Not open to students with GY129 credit.
 
GY150 World Regional Geography - DevelopedWorld (3) CPG
Human and physical geographic patterns of the developed world: fundamental concepts and ideas in geography as illustrated in different regional contexts.
 
GY151World Regional Geography - DevelopingWorld (3) CPG
Human and physical geographic patterns of the developing world; fundamental concepts and ideas in geography as illustrated in different regional contexts.
 
GY212 Urban Geography (4)
Urban environment and landscape from a human perspective: the city as an economic environment, as a cultural place, as a political entity - policies and planning.
 
GY220 Advanced Physical Geography: Earth Environments (4)
In-depth study of selected topics introduced in GY101; emphasis on contemporary environmental situation. Four hours lecture each week, scheduled field trips.
Prerequisite: GY101.
 
GY221 Advanced Cultural Geography: Contemporary Environments (4)
Analysis of cultural geographic relationships in selected major world regions; cultural processes, land-use patterns, and environmental interactions; American, European, and non-Western examples. Prerequisite: GY120.
 
GY264 Economic Geography (3)
Spatial distribution of economic features as they affect production, exchange, and consumption of goods and services: emphasis on locational theory regarding manufacturing and retail service centers.
 
GY270 Geographical Perspectives on Agriculture and Food Production (3)
Agriculture and food production, origins, evolution, and current patterns. Ecological analysis of traditional and modern agriculture and patterns of development
in the U.S. and Third World.
 
GY285/BY285 Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems GIS (4)
The study of the application of remote sensing and GIS to various sciences. Lab work focuses on hands on projects using GIS, GPS and radio tracking equipment. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Prerequisite: sophomore status
 
GY300 Geography in Education (3)
Designed to assist elementary and secondary teachers in procuring, analyzing, and organizing geographic materials into meaningful units of work consistent with contemporary objectives of geography. Prerequisite: EN201, GY120, cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
 
GY302 Geography of U.S./Canada (3)
Study of United States and Canada considering regional differences in physical environment, resource base, population characteristics, and settlement patterns; emphasis on human response to environment.
 
GY308 Geography of Europe (3)
Analysis of nation-states of Europe: natural environment, people and cultural areas; social, economic, and political patterns on continent.
 
GY310 Special Topics in Geography (3)
Variable topic in geography offered on an occasional basis.
 
GY313 Advanced Urban Geography (Variable)
For those students who wish to further pursue topics discussed in GY212 as well as research areas of specific interest. Prerequisite: GY212.
 
GY316 Geography of Africa (3)
A study of the physical, historical, cultural, political, and socioeconomic landscape of the continent of Africa from a regional perspective.
 
GY318 Geography ofA ustralia, New Zealand and the Southwest Pacific (3)
Geographic analysis of Australia, NewZealand and the Southwest Pacific, et al; people and culture.
 
GY320 Cartography: Map Making and Interpretation (4)
Cartographic design with emphasis on developing ability to communicate through maps and graphs; some computer graphics.
 
GY321 Advanced Cartography (Variable)
Advancing and refining skills acquired in GY320. Students develop areas of particular interest, expand their skills in the area of computer graphics. Prerequisite: GY320.
 
GY328 Field Experience in Geography (3)
A field experience with emphasis on the physical, cultural, economic, political, aspects of the area. Students can repeat the course if a newarea is selected. Prerequisite: Instructors approval
 
GY340 Air Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing (4)
Electro-magnetic spectrum in remote sensing; emphasis on air photo analysis and interpretation; near infrared, thermal and radar; fundamental skills in photogrammetry and interpretation of physical and cultural features.
 
GY350 Climatology/Meteorology (4)
Weather elements and introduction to world climatic characteristics and locations; applied climatology. Prerequisite: GY101 or instructor approval.
 
GY351 Advanced Climatology/Meteorology (Variable)
Advanced study of materials introduced in GY350. Students are encouraged to research topics of special interest. Prerequisite: GY350 or instructor approval.
 
GY352 Earth Processes and Earth Forms (3)
Processes of landform development; emphasis on relationship of processes to human activities. Prerequisite: GY101.
 
GY370 Geography of Natural Resources (3)
Spatial distribution of natural resources, production, and consumption.
 
GY398 Readings in Geography (Variable)
Individually negotiated program of readings on selected topic established by contract between instructor and student. Contracts filed with Registrar. Prerequisite: Approval of the coordinator.
 
GY399 Independent Project (Variable)
Individually negotiated project of defined nature established by contract between instructor and student. Contracts filed with Registrar. Prerequisite: Approval of the coordinator.
 
GY413 Urban and Regional Planning (3)
Planning practices for urban areas; emphasis on urban growth, land use, and urban problems.
 
GY462 Geography of Water Resources (3)
Water resources and their management. Topics include the hydrologic cycle, irrigation, hydro-electric power, recreation, agricultural water usage, pollution,
and desalinization. Prerequisite: GY101 or instructor approval.
 
GY/EL490 Advanced Techniques and Topics (4)
Theory and application of specific techniques in research; collection and analysis of data; specific topics vary with instructors. Prerequisites: GY101 and GY120.
 
GY491 Seminar: Readings in the Development ofGeographic Thought (3)
Survey of the literature dealing with history, philosophy, and structure of geography; emphasis on important people in geography, topics of interest to geographers
and research in the disciplines.
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