Geo/Physical Sciences
| Key to Course Offerings |
| Q: |
designates courses in the Quantitative Scientific Cluster |
| I: |
the Ideas and Events Cluster |
| B: |
the Human Behavior Cluster |
| L: |
the Literature, Language and Arts Cluster |
| C: |
Multicultural |
| IDIS: |
Interdisciplinary courses
Multicultural and interdisciplinary courses also fulfill a cluster designation. |
| * |
Asterisk indicates that the course may be offered less than once every two years. |
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Undergraduate Day School |
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Undergraduate Evening School |
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Courses having a more narrow focus than those taught on a regular basis of courses being taught on an experimental basis can be taught as Topics courses. These courses will be assigned numbers based on the student level for which they are intended-first, second, third or fourth year. |
Introduction to Geography
GEOG 1000 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course explores the complex interrelationships between the Earth's physical features and human activity. Topics include Earth/sun relationships, mapping techniques, atmospheric processes that produce clouds, precipitation and storms (including tornadoes, hurricanes and mid-latitude cyclones), global climate/vegetation/soils, rocks, earthquakes, mountain building, volcanoes, glaciers, river systems and plate tectonics/continental drift. Human impacts on the environment such as the ozone issue, global warming/climatic change, groundwater contamination, disease, population and global food supply are discussed. I, IDIS
Principles of Human Geography
GEOG 1100 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course introduces the elements and processes underlying economic, social and political geographic patterns, with applications to actual case studies and situations. I
Earth, Sea, and Air
GEOG 1300 3 cr. 4 hr.
The course is offered in the fall semester for day students. The course is comprised of selected topics from the Earth Sciences Learning Standards of the Massachusetts Science Curriculum Frameworks. Laboratory required. Q
Geology
GEOG 2100 3 cr. 4 hr.
The course is offered in the spring semester for day students. The course is an introductory survey of the basic elements of physical and historical geology. The class is open to all students. A laboratory is required. GEOG 1000 is strongly suggested. Q
Atmospheres I - Meteorology
GEOG 2200 3 cr. 4 hr.
The fundamental principles of weather systems are introduced. Emphasis is on mid-latitude phenomena and weather forecasting techniques using data from sites on the Internet. Topics in tropical meteorology and severe storm phenomena are also discussed. Laboratory is required. Q
Atmospheres II - Climatology
*GEOG 2300 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course explains the regional differentiation of the climatic zones of the major land and ocean areas of the world. Special attention is given to urban climatology and the energy and moisture climatology of the Earth.
Prerequisite: GEOG 2200 Meteorology or permission of the instructor.
Computer Applications in Geography/Earth Science
GEOG 2400 3 cr. 3 hr.
This is an introduction to four spheres of relevance to the geosciences: the Internet as a source of data, educational software, computer mapping an overview of Geographic Information Systems. Q
Prerequisite: GEOG 1000 and permission of the instructor.
Oceanography
GEOG 2500 3 cr. 4 hr.
The course studies the physical and chemical properties of sea water, atmosphere interaction with the sea surface and currents and volume flow. In addition, the energy budget of the oceans and the submarine geology of the ocean basins are explored. Students participate in a thorough discussion of ocean floor spreading and coastal processes. Laboratory is required. Q
Map Use
GEOG 2800 3 cr. 3 hr.
This course considers the nature and role of maps in communicating aspects of the Earth's natural and human environments. Skills learned include map reading, relating map symbols to real world features, map analysis, extracting information from maps and map interpretation. I
Introduction to Secondary School Teaching
GEOG 2860 3 cr. 3 hr.
This course is required of all students preparing for initial license at the secondary level. It is a sophomore level course for full-time undergraduates and the first course taken by transfer students. It is taught at the local high school and is a clinical laboratory experience. This course includes a 25-hour prepracticum requirement and is a prerequisite for other certification course requirements. Students become familiar with the complexities of secondary school teaching and its demands. The course gives faculty the opportunity to screen students and give students the opportunity to test their commitment to teaching.
Geographic Economic System
*GEOG 3000 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course analyzes factors underlying the spatial distribution of primary, secondary and tertiary economic activities, with emphasis on locational processes in commercial economies. I, C, IDIS
Political Geography
*GEOG 3100 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course examines dependent and independent, political units, boundary disputes, strategic areas, buffer zones and the function of international organizations.
U.S. and Canada
*GEOG 3200 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course includes U.S. and foreign area studies. Students conduct regional and systematic analysis based upon geographic elements influencing domestic evolution and international relations.
Prerequisite: GEOG 1000.
Introduction to Historical Geology
GEOG 3250 3 cr. 4 hr.
Offered fall semester in even years for day students.
This course studies the physical history of the Earth based on evidence from the rock and fossil records from the early Paleozoic Era through the present. The evolution of life forms, subjective and absolute dating methods, fossil identification and fossil evidence supporting plate tectonics theory are some of the topics studied. Laboratory is required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 2100 or permission of instructor.
Common Rocks and Minerals
GEOG 3270 3 cr. 4 hr.
Offered spring semester in odd years for day students.
Major rock and mineral types are studied. Considerable time is spent on field and laboratory identification techniques. Mineral crystal systems and rock and mineral forming processes are also studied. Laboratory is required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 2100, CHEM 1300.
Population Geography
GEOG 3400 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course addresses population processes and characteristics relative to resources in both economically developed and underdeveloped countries and regions. Course material provides both a systematic and regional view of world population problems. I
Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 3500 3 cr. 3 hr.
Characteristics and applications of GIS in a computerized, desktop mapping environment. It provides focus on gaining competence in the use of a particular GIS program, such as, ArcView and Idrisi. Q
Prerequisite: GEOG 1000.
Atmospheres III - Planetary Atmospheres
*GEOG 4110 3 cr. 3 hr.
This course seeks to explain the similarities and differences between the Earth's atmosphere and the atmospheres of the planets and moons in our solar system. Each atmosphere is studied to determine its chemical composition, thermal structure, energy budget, pressure, wind systems, clouds, precipitation and other pertinent meteorological phenomena.
Prerequisite: GEOG 2200.
Geomorphology
GEOG 4200 3 cr. 4 hr.
The course provides a comprehensive study of land forms and their origins. Laboratory is required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 2100, Geology or permission of the instructor.
Structural Geology
GEOG 4220 3 cr. 4 hr.
Offered in the fall semester in odd years for day students.
This course studies rock structures developed by the application of deformational forces. Topics covered include the elementary concepts of stress and strain and the geometry of joints, faults, folds, foliations and lineations. Q
Prerequisites: GEOG 2100, PHYS 2300, MATH 1300
or permission of the instructor.
Urban Geography
*GEOG 4400 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course analyzes the external relationships and internal structure of cities. Emphasis is placed on the spatial attributes of contemporary urban qualities and problems in America. Classroom activities are supplemented by applied studies in the greater Fitchburg-Leominster area.
Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEOG 4500 3 cr. 4 hr.
Techniques in the use of satellite and aerial imagery as applied to landscape analysis and resource management are studied. Laboratory is required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 2100.
Environmental Hydrogeology
GEOG 4600 3 cr. 4 hr.
Offered spring semester in even years for day students.
A case study approach is used to apply basic principles of geology to environmental problems caused by flooding, groundwater contamination, pollution due to human activity and landslides, among other topics. Laboratory is required.
Prerequisite: GEOG 2100 or GEOG 4200, CHEM 1300, MATH 1300, PHYS 2300 or permission of instructor.
Geographic Perspectives on Conservation
*GEOG 4700 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course provides an analysis of natural resources problems arising from changes in technology, population pressure and concern with the quality of environment.
Prerequisite: GEOG 1000.
Cartography I
GEOG 4800 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course treats the principal aspects of cartography as a communication process. Taken into consideration are the nature and purpose of mappable information, elements of map design and methods involved in map construction.
Cartography II
*GEOG 4820 3 cr. 3 hr.
Emphasis is on the compilation, layout and design of maps. Students are involved in the construction of maps using traditional as well as computerized methods.
Prerequisite: GEOG 4800.
Special Methods in
Teaching Earth Science
GEOG 4850 3 cr. 3 hr.
The course reviews lesson planning, selection of materials, curriculum development and relevant research.
Prerequisites: ENGL 4700 (8-12 Licensure) and EDUC 3010 (5-8 Licensure).
Earth Science Practicum in a Secondary School I and II
GEOG 4860, 4870 12 cr.
For the teaching practicum in earth science, students are assigned to cooperating schools for a semester of student teaching.
Independent Study in Geography
GEOG 4900 1, 2, 3 cr.
The Independent Study provides exceptional students with the opportunity to do research with faculty guidance in a subject or problems of geographic significance.
Prerequisites: 12 hrs. of Geography and permission of instructor. Hours and credit by arrangement.
Internship in Geography
GEOG 4940, 4950, 4960 3, 6, 12 cr.
The Internship provides work experiences in private and governmental concerns. Assignments depend on the needs of the participating agency and interests and vocational objectives of the student.
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and permission of internship coordinator.
Directed Study
GEOG 4975 1-6 cr.
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