Geography and Environmental Resources Courses | 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog | SIU

Students will gain both theoretical and practical understanding of the design process of enterprise GIS; be able to assess the scope of a system and address data and technology requirements of that system; become exposed to a host of the state-of-the-art tools and concepts in enterprise GIS; and learn skills for hardware, software and computer networking issues. Students are expected to have a basic working knowledge of ArcGIS and ArcIMS. Prerequisite: GEOG 401 or consent. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 3

Exploration of the major environmental systems relevant to planning. Topics include concepts of systems and system behavior; basics of systems analysis and modeling environmental systems; environmental fluxes of energy and materials (e.g., hydrologic cycle, carbon cycle, energy budgets, erosion and sediment transport, role of biosphere in organizing fluxes); environmental variability.

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to population geography. Emphasis is on the relationships between population trends, resource use patterns and environmental impacts. Topics include methods and data used to describe and predict populations, theories of population and policy issues that relate to the interaction between population, quality of life and environmental quality. Prerequisite: GEOG 320 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as HIST 457) An exploration of the attitudes toward and the interaction with the natural resource environment of North America by human settlers. Coverage from the Neolithic Revolution to the present.

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides practical GIS applications and draws from special topics in data visualization and environmental applications. The topic on data visualization includes an overview of techniques for visualizing large-scale datasets and is inspired by concepts from information visualization. Topics in environmental applications consist of risk assessment, digital elevation model processing, and watershed delineation and hydrological modeling. Students taking this course will distinctively learn: (1) how to visualize geographic data; (2) how to use different environmental risk assessment methods; (3) how to assess, detect, and characterize environmental risks and potential threats; and (4) how to create meaningful visualization scenes to support environmental decision-making. Active learning experiences will be achieved through the use of classroom lectures, lab exercises, group tasks, and presentations. Prerequisite: GEOG 401 or GEOG 310I or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 3

Techniques of assessing the impact of human activities on the environment, including weighting schemes, cost-benefit analysis, linear programming, ecological impact assessment. Emphasis is on placing NEPA and EIS writing in legal, economic, and environmental perspective.

Credit Hours: 3

Placement of advanced undergraduate or graduate student in private or public organization for one or more semesters in paid career-related position identified by student. Student gains professional experience, under faculty and on-site supervision. A report or professional poster on the work is required at the end of the semester. Three credit hours of either 480 or 481 may apply toward requirements for a Geography undergraduate major or graduate degree. Restricted to students majoring in Geography and Environmental Resources or minoring in Environmental Studies. Special approval needed from the program.

Credit Hours: 3-12

This course teaches students the key components of graduate research: identify a research problem, determine research questions, structure a literature review, and develop research methods. Examples of geographic research are discussed and students work to identify independent research projects. The course culminates with students developing their own research proposals.

Credit Hours: 3

Students enrolled in research methods will work directly with their faculty mentor to complete background research on methods of analysis required to complete proposed graduate work. Specific topics will depend on the mutual interests of the student and faculty member and may include qualitative and quantitative approaches to graduate-level research.

Credit Hours: 3

This course will prepare students with comprehensive working knowledge and technical skills related to geographic information systems (GIS). It covers important topics in the context of GIScience, including coordinate systems and georeferencing, data structures (vectors and rasters), map principles and design, spatial analysis and modeling, GPS, GIS data sources, and data uncertainty, which are critical to support the implementation of a GIS project. A series of GIS labs and a leadership role on a final class project will help equip students with necessary skills (e.g., mapping, spatial analysis, and geocoding) to fulfill the tasks of an entry-level GIS position. Graduate students are expected to demonstrate in-depth problem-solving skills and complete a term paper with additional requirements. Students who have passed GEOG 401 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 502. Lab fee: $40.

Credit Hours: 3

This spatial analysis course is an introduction to spatial statistical methods for geographers. The course provides an overview of the application of spatial statistical theories, concepts and approaches in the general context of the emerging fields of geographic information systems (GIS) and science (GISci). The main focus of this course is on how techniques for the analysis of spatial data can be effectively applied in a GIS environment, with a particular emphasis on the study of spatial patterns, distributions, and associations. Moreover, students will learn how to integrate the advanced spatial analysis technologies with GIS, computer science and mathematics to solve practical problems. Students are also required to read research articles and write three literature review essays to learn the state of the arts in spatial analysis. Students who have passed GEOG 404 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 504. Prerequisite: GEOG 401 or GEOG 502 with a grade of C or higher, or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $40.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of remote sensing and application to environmental management. In addition to the theoretical and applied approaches associated with the use and analysis of aerial photography and satellite imagery, this course provides an introduction to advanced satellite systems and their development. These include how remote sensing data are acquired, displayed, analyzed and applied, and how environmental information can be extracted from such data and integrated with other spatial data. Students will be introduced to manual interpretation and digital image processing and analysis techniques of remotely sensed imagery and will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using image processing software. Through reading research articles and writing three literature review essays, in addition, students will learn the state of the art, potential developments, and the important remote sensing programs such as Landsat in detail. More importantly, students will learn how to integrate remote sensing with geographic information science, global positioning systems, computer science, mathematics, statistics, and other fields, to solve practical problems in the fields of geography and environment. Students who have successfully passed GEOG 406 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 506. Lab fee: $60.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced techniques in the analysis of remotely sensed data. Focus is placed on advanced digital image processing algorithms and contemporary analysis and modeling approaches using state-of-the-art technologies. This course will also emphasize integration of multidisciplinary approaches from mathematics, statistics, computer science, geographic information system (GIS), geography and environmental science to advance image analysis and application. Students will be expected to develop individual problem-driven projects that use the knowledge, tools, advanced techniques and skills developed in this course for solutions to real world problems. This course will enhance the ability of students to independently conduct remote sensing relevant research work through reading research articles and writing literature review essays and completing course projects. Students who have passed GEOG 408 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 508. Prerequisite: GEOG 406 or GEOG 506, with grade of C or higher, or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $60.

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to statistical methods and skills related to the application of statistics to problems in geography. Lectures are supplemented with practical exercises to stress the applied nature of statistics in environmental problem solving. Topics covered include descriptive statistics, time series, probability, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression, analysis of variance, and spatial statistics, and other special topics relevant to enrolled students. Students who have passed GEOG 412 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 512.

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to the concepts and principles of map design and automated cartographic techniques used to promote the understanding of a map as a powerful communication model. Students will examine techniques for the representation, manipulation, display, and presentation of spatial data using computer mapping techniques and graphics software. This course will also provide an introduction of contemporary map-making and communication technologies and their applications for solutions of real world problems. Team-based projects will address a geographic or environmental problem and produce professional maps. In addition, through reading research articles and writing three literature review essays, students will learn the history of cartographic design, the state of the arts and potential developments in detail. Students will learn how to integrate cartographic design with spatial analysis, geographic information science, Global Positioning System, remote sensing, computer sciences, and statistics, to solve practical problems in geography and other environmental fields. Students who have passed GEOG 416 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 516. Prerequisites: GEOG 401 or GEOG 502, with grade of C or higher, or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $40.

Credit Hours: 3

GIS programming trains students in customizing GIS applications and streamlining spatial analysis by assembling functions provided by the underlying GIS platforms. This course is an introduction to programming and scripting for intermediate GIS users who need to automate the geoprocessing of GIS datasets. This course focuses the most popular commercial platform, ArcGIS ModelBuilder and Python Scripting for ArcGIS. Through this course, students will understand the object-oriented programming principles, master the advanced skills of building a complex workflow for GIS analysis, and develop customized geoprocessing programs to edit, manipulate and analyze spatial data using ArcPy and Python. Graduate students are expected to develop in-depth analytical procedures for addressing complex GIS problems, and to present the results in the form of oral presentations and written reports. Students who have passed GEOG 417 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 517. Prerequisite: GEOG 401 or GEOG 502, with grade of C or higher, or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $40.

Credit Hours: 3

This course focuses on advanced conceptual and technical issues underlying GIS, including GIS data modeling, geodatabase model and structure, analytical methods and procedures associated with geospatial modeling, and the latest developments in geospatial sciences. Laboratory assignments include the analysis of digital geographic information of physical and social phenomena, emphasizing the use of standard GIS software to illustrate techniques of geodatabase, map digitization, spatial data exploration, spatial analysis/modeling, and GIS-based decision support. Graduate students will independently design, implement and present a GIS project that takes full advantage of advanced GIS theories and techniques to solve spatial problems. Students who have passed GEOG 420 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 520. Prerequisite: GEOG 401 or GEOG 502, with grade of C or higher, or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $40.

Credit Hours: 3

Students develop professional expertise to identify, analyze and explain urban problems and their sustainable solutions. Students use a geographic perspective to develop novel inquiries through independent research about the meaning and application of sustainability in an urban setting. Students who have passed GEOG 421 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 521.

Credit Hours: 3

Economics of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources management and environmental policy. Topics covered include: static and dynamic efficiency, market efficiency and market failures (market power, externalities, and public goods), the economics of nonrenewable resource extraction, renewable resources management (with a focus on forests and water), mechanism design choices and their implementation in the real world, and the role of the private and public sectors in research and development. Students that have successfully passed GEOG 422 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 522.

Credit Hours: 3

Students will develop professional expertise to analyze multiple dimensions of sustainable development focusing on institutions with impacts that vary from local to global scales. In addition to learning about extant examples of sustainable development initiatives, students conduct independent research to expand academic understanding of the concept of sustainable development. Students who have successfully passed GEOG 424 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 524.

Credit Hours: 3

This course investigates the US system of environmental regulation: the background of social and environmental movements that influence US policy and the agencies involved in US environmental regulation. Emphasis is on US regulations and US participation in global environmental policies. Overall, the focus is on spatial variations in environmental regulations; or the geography of environmental quality.

Credit Hours: 3

Students propose a topic and independently develop, design and implement a GIS research project for solution of a real world problem with guidelines and guidance from the instructor. The focus is placed on integration of multidisciplinary methods and multi-source spatially referenced and aspatial data to search for an effective solution for a real world problem. Submission of a project portfolio or a research paper with a poster is required for successful completion. Prerequisite: GEOG 401 or GEOG 502 and GEOG 406 or GEOG 506, with a grade of C or higher, or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 3

A graduate level course related to food systems. Focus on local issues such as farmer decision-making, landscapes, sense-of-place, marketing, etc. to national/global concerns including organic certification, corporate influences, agricultural productivity, food safety, etc. Students who have passed GEOG 429 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 529.

Credit Hours: 3

This course focuses on identifying, locating, and applying appropriate climate data sets (e.g., station observations, atmospheric reanalyses, and climate model output), techniques for obtaining and processing these data sets, and methods commonly used for applied climate analysis. Student-lead, applied research projects provide students with the opportunity to utilize a variety of data sets and analytical tools introduced during the semester. The curriculum is organized around graduate-level research projects that utilize climate data sets. Students will become familiar with a range of computational packages, including Matlab. Students should have a basic understanding of climatology and statistics prior to taking this class. Students who have passed GEOG 431 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 531.

Credit Hours: 3

Quality graduate level geographic research depends on obtaining reliable data through an informed research design. Exploring both social and environmental processes, students will actively participate in developing and conducting research. Using the SIU Carbondale campus and surrounding region as a laboratory, lab exercises will include human geography, geomorphology, hydrology, climatology, spatial analysis, and biogeography. As a graduate level class, advanced analytical techniques will be presented and utilized by the students. These techniques will include graduate level statistics and spatial analysis. Students who have successfully passed GEOG 433 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 533. Lab fee: $40.

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers the major components of the hydrologic cycle with emphasis on surface water and fluvial (stream) processes. Students will gain a detailed understanding of the major hydrologic processes and develop substantial experience in collecting, compiling, and analyzing hydrologic data for use in water resource analysis and management. In addition, they will learn and demonstrate their proficiency in using advanced statistics and spatial analyses used in hydrologic research. Students that have successfully passed GEOG 434 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 534. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces students to the geophysical and human dimension of natural hazards and focuses on five main areas: 1) characterization of natural hazards; 2) human dimensions of natural hazards; 3) natural hazard risk assessment; 4) natural hazard mitigation planning; and 5) the use of geospatial tools and models used in risk assessments and mitigation planning activities. It is expected that graduate students will develop an advanced understanding of both geophysical and human dimensions of natural hazards. They will also learn and then demonstrate their proficiency in using advanced statistics and spatial analyses used in hazards research. Students who have successfully passed GEOG 436 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 536. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines the major environmental, social and policy impacts and solutions related to global climate change, including anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, land use/land cover change, extinction and biodiversity, environmental communication, climate hazards, and potential climate change related impacts on human health. Students that have successfully passed GEOG 439 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 539.

Credit Hours: 3

In this class, students will develop an advanced understanding of the linkages between physical river processes and the services rivers provide to society. The topics covered in this course include river hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, river management, and human impacts on rivers and their ecosystems. Students will gain an advanced knowledge and experience in collecting, compiling, and analyzing hydrologic, sedimentological, and hydraulic data for use in quantitative analyses and management. Students will also be expected to be able to synthesize and then present key concepts and ideas from the academic literature to their peers. This additional level of scholarship will be demonstrated through graduate student led seminars. Students who have passed GEOG 440 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 540. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers topics that include: environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), human perceptions of the environment, theories of human interactions with nature, conservation literature, key environmentalists, historical environmental movements, societal perception of nature, and impacts of environmentalism on policy. Students who have successfully passed GEOG 454 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 554.

Credit Hours: 3

This course will cover foundational psychological principles and theories related to how people think about, feel about, relate to and experience the natural environment. Students will learn how these theories and principles can be applied to change behavior and encourage environmental sustainability. Throughout the semester, students will practice drawing upon their theoretical knowledge to design behavioral interventions and communication strategies of their own. Students will also learn to design studies to evaluate whether those interventions are effective in achieving their goals. Finally, students will learn to read, understand, evaluate and critique peer-reviewed psychological research papers. Readings will be drawn from several areas of psychology, including behavioral, social, cognitive and experimental psychology. The course structure includes a combination of lectures, seminar-style discussions and in-class activities.

Credit Hours: 3

In addition to an overview of the theories, concepts and approaches of geographic visualization, this course will provide an introduction of advanced methods for information visualization, data quality assessment, and communication enhancement in the fields of exploratory data analysis (EDA), cartographic design, thematic mapping, web cartography, map animation, virtual environment, and multimedia applications. Students will learn the use of commercial software packages commonly used for graphic-based applications and complete the required hands-on exercises. However, the focus is put on integration of multidisciplinary methods for geographic visualization. Students will also learn about contemporary technologies through writing literature review essays and completing a course project. Students who have successfully passed GEOG 456 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 556. Lab fee: $30.

Credit Hours: 3

Topics may include history of environmentalism, conservation/preservation, US environmental policy, green jobs, innovative technology, sustainability, environmental non-governmental organizations, climate change, and environmental education. Students who have passed GEOG 470 are not eligible to enroll in GEOG 570.

Credit Hours: 3

Practical experience on-site with an environmental organization or GIS office. A report or professional poster on the work is required at the end of the semester. Special approval needed from the program.

Credit Hours: 2-3

Restricted to graduate standing.

Credit Hours: 2-4

Restricted to graduate standing.

Credit Hours: 2-6

Prerequisite: GEOG 500 and GEOG 501. Restricted to graduate standing.

Credit Hours: 2-6

Restricted to graduate standing.

Credit Hours: 2-6

Restricted to graduate standing.

Credit Hours: 2-4

Restricted to graduate standing.

Credit Hours: 2-6

For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their thesis or research paper. The student must have completed the minimum thesis or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF.

Credit Hours: 1

Must be a Postdoctoral Fellow. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted.

Credit Hours: 1