2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Undergraduate CatalogTexas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog
Catalog Contents
Academic Calendar
Board of Regents and System Administrative Officers
TAMU Administrative Officers
General Information
International Programs for Students
University Honors Program
Environmental Program
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Architecture
Lowry Mays College and Graduate School of Business
College of Education
Dwight Look College of Engineering
College of Geosciences
College of Liberal Arts
College of Science
College of Veterinary Medicine
General Academic Programs
School of Military Sciences
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Graduate Studies
Course Descriptions
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Curriculum in Geography

Geography is the study of the relationships between people and their environments, relationships that vary from place to place over Earth. Students inquire into those factors responsible for the changing character of Earth's surface, which over time has been transformed into the human habitat. Geography integrates physical science, social science and the humanities. The Department requires that students understand both physical and human systems and develop the spatial analytical skills to do so.

Physical geography emphasizes a systematic and interdisciplinary approach to the study of landforms, climate, soils and vegetation. Human geography seeks to describe and explain the spatial patterns of human activities on Earth. These range from such economic activities as the distribution of retail sales and industrial production to cultural landscapes, which often have strongly historic roots. Both physical and human geography use a set of analytic techniques that includes cartography, Geographic Information Science (GIS), quantitative methods and remote sensing.

A student seeking a B.S. degree in Geography is expected to complete a minimum curriculum of 40 hours in geography. A student should decide on applicable electives with a department undergraduate advisor.

Graduates with the B.S. degree may be able to qualify for a variety of jobs using their analytic skills in locational and environmental analysis for business or industry, or for a variety of positions in local, state or federal agencies. Advanced degrees provide greater opportunities.

The Department of Geography also administers the Environmental Studies Program.

Geography and Education

For students interested in a career in education, the Department of Geography works closely with the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture. Geography is part of a Social Studies composite degree program that prepares students to teach at middle and high school levels.

Minor in Geoinformatics

Geoinformatics is used to solve problems associated with land administration, environment and natural resource management, planning and population studies, as well as traditional surveying and mapping applications. Geoinformatics uses GIS, remote sensing, and global positioning satellite field mapping to collect, analyze and display spatial information. Students must complete GEOG 390, 475 and GEOL 352. In addition, students must complete two of the following four courses: CPSC 111 and 211, GEOG 361, GEOL 309. Geology and Geophysics majors may not use GEOL 309 to satisfy this requirement.

Minor in Geography

Students of other disciplines may minor in geography by taking a minimum of 16 hours, which must include GEOG 201 and 203. The remaining 9 hours must include at least 6 hours in upper division courses, 3 of which must be at the 400-level. The selection of courses must be made in agreement with a geography undergraduate advisor.

Many geography courses include field trips outside scheduled class hours. Students are required to defray some or all of the expenses incurred on such trips.

Freshman Year
First Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr

 

Second Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric

(3-0)

3

 

GEOG 202 Geog. of the Global Village

(3-0)

3
GEOG 201 Intro. to Human Geography

(3-0)

3

 

GEOG 203 Planet Earth System Science

(3-3)

4
American history 1

 

3

 

MATH 141 Business Math. I

(3-0)

3
Science 2

 

4

 

Science 2

 

4
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity

(0-2)

1

 

* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity

(0-2)

1
 

 

14

 

 

 

15
 
Sophomore Year
GEOG 204 Economic Geography

(3-0)

3

 

POLS 207 State and Local Govt.

(3-0)

3
MATH 142 Business Math. II

(3-0)

3

 

STAT 303 Statistical Methods

(3-0)

3
POLS 206 American Natl. Govt.

(3-0)

3

 

Visual and performing arts elective 3

 

3
Humanities elective 3

 

3

 

Electives 4

 

6
Elective 4

 

3

 

 

 

15
 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 
Junior Year
GEOG 332 Thematic Cartography

(3-0)

3

 

English 7

 

3
American history 1

 

3

 

Social and behavioral sciences elective 8

 

3
Regional geography 5

 

3

 

Topical systematic 6

 

3
Topical systematic 6

 

3

 

Electives 4

 

9
Electives 4

 

6

 

 

 

18
 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 
Senior Year
GEOG 450 Field Geography

(3-0)

3

 

GEOG 440 Hist. and Nature of Geography

(3-0)

3
Advanced topical 9

 

3

 

Advanced topical 9

 

3
Regional geography 5

 

3

 

Electives 4

 

10
Electives 4

 

8

 

 

 

16
 

 

17

 

 

 

 

Total Hours 128

NOTES:
1. The American history requirement may be satisfied by:

a. HIST 105 and 106, or

b. HIST 105 and one of the following: HIST 226, 372, 373, 451, 455, 457, 460, 463, or

c. HIST 106 and one of the following: HIST 226, 367, 368, 369, 416, 450, 457, 459, 462.

2. To be chosen from the following: BIOL 113, 123, 114, 124; or CHEM 101, 102; or GEOL 101, 106; or PHYS 201, 202.

3. Humanities and visual and performing arts electives to be chosen from the University Core Curriculum approved list, but must not include courses in geography that satisfy the University Core Curriculum.

4. Courses to be chosen in consultation with advisor.

5. The regional geography requirement may be satisfied by:

a. GEOG 301, 320, 321, 323, 325, 326 or

b. GEOG 305, 320, 321, 323, 325, 326.

6. GEOG 306, 311, 324, 330, 335, 355, 360, 361, 370, 380, 390, 398.

7. To be chosen from ENGL 203, 210, 235, 236, 241, 301.

8. Social and behavioral sciences electives to be chosen from the University Core Curriculum, but must not include courses in geography that satisfy the University Core Curriculum.

9. GEOG 400, 401, 402, 403, 406, 431, 433, 434, 435, 475.

* Click here for more information.
Geographic Information Science Option
Freshman Year
First Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr

 

Second Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric

(3-0)

3

 

GEOG 202 Geog. of the Global Village

(3-0)

3
GEOG 201 Human Geography

(3-0)

3

 

GEOG 203 Planet Earth System Science

(3-3)

4
GEOL 101 Physical Geology

(3-3)

4

 

MATH 142 Business Math. II

(3-0)

3
MATH 141 Business Math. I

(3-0)

3

 

POLS 206 American Natl. Govt.

(3-0)

3
U.S. history 1

 

3

 

U.S. history 1

 

3
* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity

(0-2)

1

 

* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity

(0-2)

1
 

 

17

 

 

 

17
 
Sophomore Year
ECON 202 Principles of Economics

(3-0)

3

 

ECON 203 Principles of Economics

(3-0)

3
GEOG 204 Economic Geography

(3-0)

3

 

RENR 375 Conserv. of Natural Resources

(3-0)

3
GEOG 332 Cartography

(3-0)

3

 

Science 2

 

4
POLS 207 State and Local Govt.

(3-0)

3

 

Topical systematic 4

 

3
Science 2

 

4

 

Visual and performing arts elective 3

 

3
 

 

16

 

 

 

16
 
Junior Year
STAT 302 Statistical Methods

 

 

 

GEOG 390 Principles of GIS

(2-2)

3
or

 

 

 

PLAN 365 Land Use Planning

(3-0)

3
STAT 303 Statistical Methods

(2-2)

3

 

Advanced topical 8

 

3
English 5

 

3

 

Humanities elective 9

 

3
Science 6

 

4

 

Track elective 7

 

3
Topical systematic 4

 

3

 

 

 

15
Track elective 7

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 
Senior Year
GEOG 450 Field Geography

(3-0)

3

 

GEOG 440 Nature of Geography

(3-0)

3
Advanced topical 8

(3-0)

3

 

GEOG 475 Adv. Topics in GIS

(3-2)

4
Track electives 7

 

9

 

Track electives 7

 

9
 

 

15

 

 

 

16
Total Hours 128

NOTES:
1. The U.S. history requirement may be satisfied by:

a. HIST 105 and 106, or

b. HIST 105 and one of the following: HIST 226, 359, 372, 373, 451, 455, 457, 460, 463, or

c. HIST 106 and one of the following: HIST 226, 359, 367, 368, 369, 416, 450, 457, 459, 462.

2. To be chosen from CHEM 101, 102 or BIOL 113, 114, 123, 124 or PHYS 201, 202.

3. Visual and performing arts elective to be chosen from the University Core Curriculum.

4. GEOG 306, 311, 324, 330, 335, 355, 360, 361, 370, 398.

5. To be chosen from ENGL 203, 210, 235, 236, 241, 301.

6. Take one of the following: AGRO 301, BOTN 101, GEOL 106, ATMO 201 and 202, ZOOL 107.

7. Students must see departmental advisor for applicable classes.

8. GEOG 400, 401 402, 403, 406, 431, 433, 434, 435.

9. Humanities electives to be chosen from the University Core Curriculum, but must not include courses in geography.

* Click here for more information.