Geography (GHY) & Planning(PLN) Courses
GHY 1010: Introduction to Physical Geography - A comprehensive study of our physical earth emphasizing the distributional patterns and interrelatedness of its land, soils, natural vegetation and habitat, and weather and climate. Examinations of envionmental issues including hazardous wastes, acid rain, floods, droughts, deforestation and air pollution. (Fall and Spring)
GHY 1020: World Regional Geography - The study of our contemporary world divided into the regions of North America, Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Russian Realm, and South, East and Southeast Asia. Examination of global issues including population problems, technology and culture change, rural versus urban development, and international trade, political identity and international conflict. (Fall and Spring)
GHY 1040: Intro to Human Geography
GHY 2310: Cartographic Design- Map Interpretation and Map Making - An introduction to the relevance of maps, techniques of map interpretation, and map construction. Students will develop a knowledge of basic computer operations, cartographic communication theory, map use, data selection and processing, map design, and computerized map production techniques. (Fall and Spring)
GHY 2812: Geospatial Data and Technology - An introduction to basic computer skills needed by geographers, planners and others interested in analysis and presentation of geographic data. Includes database management, word processing, generation of graphics, and automated mapping. (Fall and Spring)
GHY 3011: Europe and the Russian Realm - a study of this region's contemporary geographic condition. Emphasis on resource development, superregional cooperation, environmental problems, industrial shifts, marketing and international trade, relations with the United States, and the potential for internal and international political stress.
GHY 3012: U.S. and Canada - A survey of the physical, demographic, economic, and political patterns in the United States and Canada, with a focus on characterisitics of regions. Students will examine historical and contemporary factors contributing to the geographic diversity and interdependence of the two countries
GHY 3013: North Carolina - The study of contemporary conditions and problems of land and people in a southern state. Topics include: economic development and potential for change, population mobility, urbanization and the impact of development in rural and environmentally fragile areas, regional impact of changing life styles, national and international interdependence.
GHY 3014: Geography of Latin America
GHY 3015: The Geography of Asia - An introductory survey of the region. Emphasis is placed on the geographic patterns and the similarities and differences in physical and cultural environments, population growth, mobility and urbanization; natural resource location and exploitation; economic growth and international linkages; the environmental implications of development; and political stability and change.
GHY 3100: Weather and Climate - This course focuses on the basic principles, elements, and control of meteorology and climatology. The primary objectives are to familiarize the student with major components of the earth's atmosphere, to enhance the student's understanding of the spatial distribution of meteorological elements, and to demonstrate the interactions between human activities and atmospheric elements. (Spring)
GHY 3110: Vegetation, Soils, and Landforms - A systematic analysis of the spatial characteristics of vegetaion, soils, and landforms especially as they interact in the North American realm. Consideration is given to the processes affecting the ecosystem and their relation to people's activities. (Fall)
GHY 3130: GHY of Biodiversity
GHY 3200: Geographic Perspectives on Human Behavior - An approach to understanding the ways in which people perceive, behave in and structure their geographical environment. The course emphasizes variations in spatial behavior such as the use of personal spaces and social territories, choosing locations for social activities, migration, and diffusion of ideas and innovations across geographical space and regional organization. Solutions to contemporary problems are stressed.
GHY 3210: Economic Geography - The geographic analysis of world economic systems, regions and patterns, as affected by interrelationships between both human and physical variables. Emphasis will be equally divided between theoretical and real-world patterns. Specific subjects of study include agriculture, manufacturing, services, transportation, urban/rural relationships, international markets and trade, and cultural differences in economic patterns. (Spring)
GHY 3310: Environmental Remote Sensing - An introduction to remote sensing technologies used for environmental and geographic analysis. Topics include aerial photo interpretation, satellite sensors, analysis of satellite imagery, thermal and radar sensors, and applications of remote sensing technology for vegetation, hydrology, landform, settlement, and economic development studies. (Spring)
GHY 3320: Environmental Issues in Appalachia - This course offers a systematic study of the physical and cultural setting of Appalachia. Topics include weather and climate, landforms, soils, vegetation, population, settlement and resource use. Emphasis is placed on why things are where they are and the various interactions between people and their environment (e.g. air and water pollution, accelerated erosion, landslides). (Offered on demand)
GHY 3400: Recreational Land Use - A study of selected recreational phenomena including their regional and local setting, design, organization and use.
GHY 3800:
Intro to Quantitative Methods - The study of the quantitative methodology relating to the analysis of relationships between people and their physical environment, their spatial consequences, and the resulting regional structures that have emerged on the earth's surface. (Fall and Spring)
GHY 3812: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems - Theory, process and application of computer assisted cartography and geographic information systems. Emphasis on project work to maximize experience with computer mapping principles, hardware and software. (Fall and Spring)
GHY 3820: GIS for Enviro & Social Science
GHY 4200: Urban Geography - Spatial organization of human activity focusing on the evolution and organization of city systems, the internal structure of urban areas, and urban problems, policies and planning with emphasis on problem solving and field work. The course is applied in nature and recommended for majors in social studies, business and planning.
GHY 4240: Transportation
GHY 4620: Synoptic and Regional Climatology - This course focuses on atmospheric controls and processes at the synoptic scale. Basic meterological elements and concepts such as jet streams, long-range forecasting, cyclogenesis, and vorticity are discussed. Local and regional climatic patterns and anomalies are examined with respect to the dynamics of the large-scale circulation features of the atmosphere. (Offered alternate years)
GHY 4810: Digital Image Processing - Course focuses on acquisition of digital images, image processing, image enhancement techniques for interpretation, and applications of remote sensing technology. (Fall)
GHY 4812: Geographic Information Systems - GIS is a wide ranging topic encompassing five distinct functions within a total system context. These functions are: 1) data input, 2) data storage, 3) data management, 4) data manipulation and analysis, and 5) data output. Emphasis will be placed on the applications frequently found in geography and planning. This course is project oriented to give the student maximum experience in each of the functions of a GIS and to allow the student to associate the technical areas of GIS with real-world scenarios. (Fall and Spring)
GHY 4814: Principals of Geocomputation
GHY 4820: Geographical Hydrology - The study of the occurrence and movement of water on the earth, with a focus on applications of surface hydrology. Water movement through the hydrologic cycle, flood analysis, and water use/water policy are emphasized. (Spring)
GHY 4830: Senior Seminar - A capstone experience in which students will prepare research or project proposal leading to a finished product to be presented before peers and departmental faculty members. (Spring)
Planning Courses:
PLN 2410: Introduction to Planning - Introduction to the principles, philosophies, processes, and theories of planning. Emphasis is placed on planning approaches to the solution of contemporary regional, urban, and environmental problems.
PLN 2812: Geospatial Data and Technology - An introduction to basic computer skills needed by geographers, planners and others interested in analysis and presentation of geographic data. Includes database management, word processing, generation of graphics, and automated mapping. (Fall and Spring)
PLN 3431: Planning Techniques - The student gains insight into the research phase of the planning process, becomes acquainted with a variety of planning applications and has opportunities to develop skills and abilities relating to the preparation of of planning studies and community plans.
PLN 3730: Land Use Regulations - The study of zoning, subdivision, and other land use controls with particular reference to North Carolina applications. Also includes the role of planners in the implementation phase of the planning process, planning ethics, public meetings, and the legal framework of land use controls.
PLN 3800: Intro to Quantitative Methods
PLN 4240: Transportation
PLN 4450: Planning Sustainable Community
PLN 4470: Community Development
PLN 4700: Project Management - Simulated experiences involving complex procedures and methods pertinent to planning projects. The student will have opportunities to develop and utilize various project management skills and abilities, to include preparation of a community development proposal for external funding.
PLN 4830: Senior Seminar - A capstone experience in which students will prepare research or project proposal leading to a finished product to be presented before peers and departmental faculty members. (Spring) |
