Geography (GEOG)
GEOG 103 Our Dynamic Planet 3 Hours
Introduction to Earth's dynamic systems and processes and how their spatial dimensions affect people and the environment. This includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, and the interconnectedness of Earth's systems. Students are encouraged to think about the interdisciplinary nature of geoscience from examples emphasized throughout the course. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-NS | NS
Equivalent(s): GEOL 103
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 110 World Regional Geography 3 Hours
A general survey of the political, social, and ecological systems of the world. The course is concerned with the complexity and diversity of world peoples and cultures. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-SB | SB
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 175 University Experience-EEAS 2 Hours
Transition to university experience. Topics include study skills, critical thinking skills, library education, exploration of majors and careers, degree programs, campus resources, and personal development. Special attention is given to educational requirements, careers and resources in the geosciences. Note: For beginning college freshmen or transfer students with fewer than 24 semester hours of credit.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Junior, Sophomore or Senior may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
GEOG 200 Latin American Society: Past and Present 3 Hours
A broad interdisciplinary introduction to the study of Latin America, emphasizing its regions, peoples, and cultures. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Equivalent(s): HIST 200, ANTH 200, PS 200, SPAN 200
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
GEOG 210 Environment and Ecological Policy 3 Hours
A survey of the geography, history, and current conditions of environmental policy and regulation development, particularly in the United States, with an emphasis on humans as an integral component of the natural environment.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023
GEOG 225 Visualizing Geography 3 Hours
Students will use data visualizations, interactive and static maps, digital tools, photographs, and illustrations to explain the diversity of human-environmental interactions influencing society, political systems, natural resources, and development across space and time, from local communities to our increasingly interconnected world. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021
GEOG 226 Our Dangerous Planet 3 Hours
Introduction to how normal Earth processes concentrate their energies to create devastating impacts to humans and the built environment, with emphasis on survival techniques. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 227 Our Vulnerable Planet 3 Hours
Explore how anthropogenic processes such as climate change, pollution, urban sprawl, deforestation, and desertification impact the people on Earth and its ecosystems. Does not count toward the ESGS major. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022
GEOG 275 Applied Independent Research 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Restricted to freshmen, sophomores, and Gatton Academy students. Supervised research independent study or internship with faculty, research center, lab, government, community, or private sector. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 280 Environmental Science and Sustainability 4 Hours
A general understanding of how the environment functions, the complexity of human-environmental interactions, and the application of geoscience in solving environmental problems. Lab component provides practical experiences associated with the theories outlined in the course content.. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-SL, E-NS | NS
Course Fee: $10
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 295 Introduction to Research Methodology 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 3 hrs)
This course is designed to familiarize research-oriented students with the fundamentals of choosing a research topic, performing a bibliographical search on a subject, classification of instruments, principles of data collection, professional ethics and/or other research-oriented topics.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 300 Writing in the Geosciences 3 Hours
Students conduct investigations into writing, reading, and research conventions in the geosciences and receive advanced instruction in planning, drafting, arranging, revising, and editing geoscience-specific essays and research projects. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code F-W2 | WC
Prerequisite(s): ENG 100 and GEOG 110 or (GEOG 103 or GEOL 103 or GEOL 111 or METR 121)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 310 Global Hydrology 3 Hours
An introduction to descriptive and quantitative hydrology. The hydrologic cycle, precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration will be covered under descriptive hydrology. Hydrographs, runoff relations, ground water, and storage routing will be covered under quantitative hydrology. Consideration is given to use and management of water as a resource.
Prerequisite(s): (GEOL 111 or GEOG 103 or GEOL 103)
Equivalent(s): GEOL 310
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 328 Elements of Biogeography 3 Hours
An examination of the spatial interaction and distribution of global biomes. This course examines, through examples at a variety of spatial and ecological scales, the development of human-induced and naturally-occurring biogeographical changes.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
GEOG 330 Introduction to Cultural Geography 3 Hours
An overview of core concepts in cultural geography based on five major themes: region, mobility, globalization, nature-culture, and cultural landscape. Field trips required. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 344 Environmental Ethics 3 Hours
Examination of how environmental ethics and philosophy determine the use and alteration of the natural environment by humans. Analysis of human responsibility towards protecting the environment, environmental decision-making, sustainable development, and respect for indigenous cultures.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 280
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 350 Economic Geography 3 Hours
This course examines the functional interrelationships among economic activities and areas in the consumption, production, and exchange of goods and services. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code SB
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 352 Geography of Kentucky 3 Hours
No course description is available
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 360 Geography of North America 3 Hours
Analysis of selected problems related to natural conditions, land use, settlement patterns, and regional structure of the United States and Canada. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code SB
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 364 Geography of Europe 3 Hours
A geographic analysis of Europe. Aspects of regional integration, with a focus on the European Community, and problems of economic growth in disadvantaged regions.
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023
GEOG 378 Food, Culture, and Environment 3 Hours
Exploration of geographical patterns of agricultural production and cuisine through the intersection of environment, technology and culture. Field trips required. Students will share the cost of several meals. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Course Fee: $15
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 380 Global Sustainability 3 Hours
An introduction to the major themes and scientific principles of sustainability, with an emphasis on developing critical thinking skills. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): (GEOG 280 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status and (GEOG 280 with a minimum grade of C or GEOG 103 or GEOL 103)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2023
GEOG 385 Climate, Resources, & Society 3 Hours
Discussion of global climate change from a societal and resources perspective; particularly how humans affect global climate change through population size, natural resource use, policy implementation, personal behavior, and societal norms, and vice versa. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status and (GEOG 103 or GEOG 110 or GEOG 280)
Equivalent(s): EDU 385
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023
GEOG 386 Geography of Potent Potables:Brewing, Distilling, and Wine Making 3 Hours
Students explore the geographies of alcoholic beverages, including the patterns of production, distribution, and consumption of beer, distilled spirits, and wine, and associated cultural and environmental impacts. Breweries, wineries, and distilleries are important elements of many diverse cultural and economic landscapes and reflect local geographies and global influences. The role of location is explored as it relates to such topics as access to raw materials, terroir, the rise of craft breweries and distilleries, sustainability, and cultural attitudes toward the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023
GEOG 391 Geoscience Data Analysis 4 Hours
Statistical concepts and methods emphasizing their applications in a spatial context. Statistical description and hypothesis testing. Visualization analysis of spatial patterns and relationships. Note: Special permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (MATH 183 or MATH 136) and GISC 316
Course Fee: $50
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023
GEOG 420 Geomorphology 3 Hours (repeatable max of 3 hrs)
Systematic study of the processes that shape and modify Earth’s landforms and landscapes in a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Coupling between climatic, biologic, tectonic, and human influences on landscape changes is examined.
Prerequisite(s): (GEOL 111 or GEOG 103 or GEOL 103)
Equivalent(s): GEOL 420
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 425 Political Geography 3 Hours
A study of the political system as a spatial phenomenon from pre-literate forms and socio-political integration to the nation-state and other modern forms of political unification. Examples from local, metropolitan-regional, national, and international levels. Note: Permission of instructor required.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021
GEOG 427 Water Resource Management 3 Hours
Examines the use, management, and conservation of water resources. Discusses environmental, economic, political, and social implications of water usage, as well as emerging trends in water availability, pollution, regulation, and technology.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 103 or GEOL 103
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2023
GEOG 430 Topics in Cultural Geography 3 Hours
Examines the concept of culture as it relates to the geographic landscape. Topics include the built environment, symbolic landscapes, representation of place in film, literature, photography, music, subaltern geographies, landscapes, and cultures of work and place-situated identity. Course provides an overview of research methods and themes in cultural geography. Field trip and field research required.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 330
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 452 Applied Geoscience Field Experiences 1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 12 hrs)
Applied geoscience experiences in a variety of field-based settings, including, but not limited to, Study Abroad and Study Away programs, field camps, and extended fieldtrips to national or international settings. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023
GEOG 455 Global Climate Change 3 Hours
Explores the science behind global climate change, including how models, observations,and proxies are used to understand and predict past and future climate, international perspectives on global climate change, and mitigation strategies put forth by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 280 or METR 322 with a minimum grade of C or GEOL 301 with a minimum grade of C or permission of instructor
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
GEOG 459 Advanced Hydrology 3 Hours
Builds upon the principles of descriptive and quantitative hydrology using a geologic- and calculus-based approach to understanding the Earth's hydrologic cycle. Includes components of atmospheric, surface, and ground waters and the principles of fluid dynamics that govern the physical and chemical processes that affect water and its behavior in the natural world.
Prerequisite(s): MATH 136 with a minimum grade of C and (GEOG 310 or GEOL 310) or (GEOG 420 or GEOL 420)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 461 Karst Environments 3 Hours
Provides a fundamental understanding of karst, focusing on the processes, landforms, and evolution of karst landscapes over time, with an emphasis on the characterization, distribution, and function of various karst environments. Field trips and field-based exercises are required. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (GEOG 310 or GEOL 310) or GEOG 420 or permission of instructor
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023
GEOG 465 Geography of East Asia 3 Hours
Analysis of selected contemporary geographic issues in East Asia. Emphasis is on a synthesis of various geographic factors and phenomena, including physical, cultural, political, social, and economic systems.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 110
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022
GEOG 471 Technological Applications in Natural Resource Management 3 Hours
Examines the application of technology to address current resource management challenges and ensure the efficient utilization of natural resources. Discussions may address, but are not limited to, timber, fisheries, oil and gas, and wildlife management. Note: Permission of instructor may be required. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code SB
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 280 and GISC 316
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 474 Applied Environmental Planning 3 Hours
Analysis and application of advanced topics and results of recent research in environmental and general land use planning. Broad examination of mitigation, remediation, and land use planning challenges from an applied perspective as they relate to problem-solving scenarios in sustainable development. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 280
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
GEOG 475 Selected Topics in Environment, Geography, and Sustainability 1-3 Hours
Special topics in applied or basic environmental, geographic, sustainability, or geoscience topics. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022
GEOG 480 Sustainable Cities 3 Hours
This course explores the consequences of urban development and the essentials of sustainable urbanism. Topics include environmental and human costs of urbanization, landscape change, mobility, and urban responses to climate change. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code SB
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
GEOG 481 Tourism Geography 3 Hours
Examination of concepts, models, and theories in the geography of tourism. Topics include the evolution of patterns of tourism, economic, environmental, and socio-cultural impacts of tourism, sustainable tourism, environmental tourism, ethical tourism, the politics of tourism, and critical analysis of alternative meanings of tourism sites. Local, national, and international examples in both developed and develping countries are discussed. Field trips may be required.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 110
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 486 Seminar in Environmental Science and Sustainability 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Guided seminar-style course focused on current environmental and sustainability issues from an applied perspective. Students will discuss/debate environmental science and sustainability topics and lead discussion through examination of published literature, reflection, and having expert professionals and scientists in their respective fields provide experiential context for the issues being discussed. Career pathways will be discussed using examples from the discipline.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021
GEOG 487 Environmental Management and Law 3 Hours
An introductory course on environmental management and law. Environmental Law is comprised of a vast body of legislation and common law, and management and law dominate all aspects of society. It is important to understand that law isn’t designed to determine what is ‘right or moral,’ but rather to enforce what is expedient for society’s optimal functioning. This course will include a thorough examination of major legislative, administrative, and judicial management approaches to addressing current environmental conditions related, but not limited to, natural resource consumption and air, water, and hazardous pollutants, in the United States and abroad.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 489 Alternatives in Sustainability 3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Addresses aspects of sustainability theory and practice, includng problem-solving and decision-making techniques and critical analyses of prominent sustainability plans. Content focuses on a single topic within the sustainability discipline for the entirety of the course.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 280
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
GEOG 492 Advanced Geospatial Analytics 3 Hours
Applying advanced spatial analytical techniques in GIS environment. Quantitative analysis in Geosciences is emphasized. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 391 with a minimum grade of C and GISC 317 with a minimum grade of C
Course Fee: $50
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022
GEOG 495 Applied Research, Independent Study, or Internship 1-9 Hours (repeatable max of 12 hrs)
Supervised research, independent study, or internship with faculty, research center, lab, government, community, or private sector. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours in the major, with a maximum of 6 credit hours permitted in minor programs.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
GEOG 499 Professional Preparation 1 Hour
Professional career or graduate school preparation, resume writing, college-to-career transition, professional ethics, graduate school application and requirements, written senior assessment, and selected seminar topics. Outside speakers from industry and academia will be included.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; spring 2023