Upcoming Courses

Fall 2025 

SUST 101 Introduction to Sustainability

Provides a foundation for sustainability knowledge and problem-solving. Explores the relationships between people and natural systems, examines pressing global challenges, and outlines leadership solutions to wicked challenges. Consideration of the most urgent concerns tied to living out of balance with the planet that sustains life. (EVEL)

  • Fulfills General Education Requirement (IFPE)

GEOG 210 Planet Earth - People and Place

Introduction to our earth as home to people and place through geographic approaches that analyze cultural, societal, economic, political, and environmental change. Topics include: human dimensions of climate change; sustainability; spatial analysis techniques and theories; population distributions and migration; cultural geographies; global economic development and its distribution; urbanization; political geography; and human-environment relations. (Same as Global Studies 210.) (GSHE, SUSS)

  • Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSSA, AISO, IFEB)

GEOG 248 Cartography and Spatial Data Visualization

Technical skills and theoretical foundations necessary for effective cartography, data visualization, and graphic design. Exploration of diverse cartographic traditions, moving beyond the Eurocentric perspective to mapping practices from around the world. Extensive training in industry-leading GIS software (Esri) as well as design tools such as Adobe Illustrator to enhance map aesthetics and communication. Engagement in critical analysis of maps, fostering a deeper understanding of spatial data visualization and the power of maps to shape knowledge and perception. (Prerequisite: Geog 260)

GEOG 250 Planet Earth: Wind, Water, Fire 

Basic concepts of earth systems science and physical geography. Topics include an introduction to mapping, GIS, and remote sensing; weather and climate; drought, floods, and environmental hydrology; earthquakes, volcanos, landforms, and geomorphology; and the interactions of all of the above with humans and the earth's biota. Climate change and the spatial inequalities in environmental pollution and resources are emphasized. (Same as Environmental Studies 250.) (EVPS, SUEV)

  • Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSNB, AINS, IFQD)

GEOG 260 Foundations of Geospatial Analysis

Introduces the data and technology underlying quantitative spatial analysis. Covers foundational concepts of geospatial data (raster, vector, coordinate systems, map projections, scale, symbology, and metadata) and introduces students to geospatial technology (GIS, GPS, remote sensing, web and mobile mapping). Uses spatial data from multiple national and international data platforms (e.g. USGS, Census Bureau, CDC, UN) to create maps and perform basic spatial analysis. Introduction to concepts of map reading and design. (ARCH, EVEL, EVRM)

  • Fulfills General Education Requirement (IFQD)

GEOG 333 Geographies of Amazonia  (SSIR Restricted)

Explores the contradictions and connections of Amazonia. Considers the region's importance to the rest of the world through a study of the ecologies, histories, politics, and geographies of Amazonia. Looks at the Amazon biome basin as much more than the world's greatest rainforest, richest reserve of biological and cultural diversity, largest source of freshwater flow, and most important tropical sink of carbon. (EVEL, GSHC, GSLA, SUSS)

  • Fulfills General Education Requirement (IFPE)

GEOG 350 Sustainable Energy

Sustainable Energy provides students with the analytical tools to assess energy alternatives and conduct comparative analysis. Students explore the opportunities for energy transition as well as current challenges. Students conduct research and make recommendations for social, ecological and economic sustainability in a specific location. (Prerequisite: GEOG 210, ENVR 201, SUST 101, GS 290 or permission of instructor)

GEOG 380 ST: Applied Scientific Computing in Python

This co-taught course provides an introduction to Python programming for scientific applications for advanced biologists and geographers, with a particular focus on large-scale data analysis and visualization. Examples will derive primarily from biology and physical geography, and key topics include common data structures in these fields, application of numerical and statistical methods for large-scale data analysis, and popular packages for data visualization. Through hands-on projects applied to real-world scientific problems, particularly in the biological and environmental sciences, students will develop computational skills essential for tackling complex challenges in their field of study. (Prerequisite: Geog 260)

GEOG 401 Geography Capstone

Capstone course is the culmination of the Geography major. The primary objective is to further develop students' ability to conduct geographic research through the practical application of geographic methods and theory. Students will synthesize their knowledge of geography with an individual thesis or group project.

  • Fulfills General Education Requirement (IFWC)

ENVR 322 The Global Impact of Climate Change

Rapid climate change is causing an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere and oceans. This is a truly global problem that requires international research and collaboration to resolve. The USA is a major producer of the atmospheric “greenhouse” gases that make a significant contribution to this global “anthropogenic” warming. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the global environmental impact of anthropogenic climate change, and to challenge students to think about the possible impact of the way we live in the USA on poor, marginalized and at risk communities around the world.