School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability

Courses

GEOG 1000 - Global Environmental Issues

Geographers have long been concerned with studying the interactions between human beings and the environment. The major focus of these investigations today is concerned with misuse of the environment, which has led to the present day environmental crisis. The introductory course combines scientific and non-technical appraisals of processes and problems dealing with the question of environmental quality. Therefore, humanity will be studied in the physical as well as the social setting. Though major issues may vary for developing and developed nations, topics concerned with population pressure, pollution, and urbanization will be among those considered. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Science and Technology Category.

GEOG 1020 - World Geography through Media and Maps

This course presents an introduction to the geography of the earth. This includes the earth as the home of humans, major urban concentrations, descriptive physical characteristics of continents and countries, political subdivision, and general man-land relationships which reflect cultural preferences. Information delivery will be through textual material with a major concentration of carefully selected audiovisual and map study activities to enhance investigating the character of distant places. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Societies and Cultures Category.

GEOG 1050 - Physical Geography

A study of the physical environmental systems of our earth. The course examines the seasonal and latitudinal distribution of solar energy; analyzes the many elements of weather, climate, vegetation, and soils; and finally considers the earth’s major landforms and the processes which shape them. Though each topic is treated separately, this course demonstrates the basic relationships among these topics and points out the human implications in all physical earth systems. Map use and laboratory work is an integral part of this course. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Scientific Literacy with Lab Category.

GEOG 2050 - Human Geography

This course is an introduction to the study and analysis of humans in the landscape. We will look at how people perceive space, how they interact in space, and how space really matters to the study of everything. The course will touch on concepts in history, economics, demographics, the environment, culture, politics, agriculture and planning. We will look at impacts of technology on human to human and human to environment interaction and will also examine opportunities for future work in the field of Geography.

GEOG 2250 - Introduction to Meteorology and Climatology

A non-mathematical analysis of atmospheric behavior. The fundamental physical laws affecting the elements of weather - solar radiation, temperature, moisture, pressure, and winds are examined during the first half of the course. Weather systems and forecasting, atmospheric optics, climatic change, and regional climates are examined during the second half of the course. Laboratory meetings dealing with instrumentation and weather map analysis are an integral part of the course. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Scientific Literacy with Lab Category.

GEOG 2440 - Economic Geography

This course reviews the spatial processes and patterns for primary production, transportation, manufacturing and energy, service functions, trade and economic development. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Science and Technology Category.

GEOG 2560 - Introduction to Urban, Regional, and Environmental Planning

This course introduces students to the contemporary practices of community and regional planning in American cities, towns and metropolitan areas. Within this context, the course will provide students with a basic understanding of the history, theory and practice of community and regional planning as means by which communities broadly engage in efforts to confront social issues and improve their quality of life. The course will also introduce a variety of techniques commonly used in the professional practice of planning from the perspective of a general understanding of ways by which planning contributes to changing social, economic, and physical conditions in American cities, town and regions. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Societies and Cultures Category.

GEOG 2650 - Our Digital Earth: An Introduction to Geospatial Technologies

Introduction to technologies used for visualization, measurement, and analysis of features that occur on earth. Students are introduced to fundamentals of cartography, global positioning system (GPS), geographic information science (GIS), and remote sensing of the environment (RS). Topics will include nature and characteristics of geospatial technologies, concepts and characteristics of spatial data, principles and methods of capturing and representing spatial data, and methods of analysis and interpretation of spatial data. Students will have hands-on experience in working with the full range of geospatial technologies and products including maps, air photos, satellite images, GPS, as well as current GIS software. This course satisfies the student learning outcomes in the WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Foundations - Oral and Digital Communications Course Category.

GEOG 3010 - Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems

An introductory course that covers the use and application of geographic information systems (GIS). It combines an overview of general principles of GIS and practical experience in map creation and the use of spatial information, including fundamental aspects of measurement, representation and analysis. Intro GIS focuses on the basics of working with both vector and raster data, as well as the societal aspects of GIS (emerging uses, interaction with new technologies, data standards, public access to information). This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Science and Technology Category. Students cannot receive credit for both GEOG 3010 and GEOG 5010.

GEOG 3020 - Cartographic Design and Geovisualization

An introduction to the theory, art, and science of mapmaking and cartographic design, specifically focusing on production and evaluation of thematic map products. Students will employ cartographic design principles to create and edit effective visual representations of geospatial data (e.g., maps, virtual environments) in a variety of formats (e.g., print, digital, animated). Specific topics include the history of cartography, map projections, data classification, symbolization and the visual variables including color and shape, typography, thematic map types (e.g., choropleth, dot, flow, proportional symbol, cartogram, multivariate), and web-based and interactive maps.

GEOG 3030 - Geographic Inquiry

Students will be introduced to geography as a field of study, research and professional opportunity. Students will have an opportunity to investigate social and environmental problems through data collection, analysis, interpretation, and graphic and written presentation. The emphasis throughout will be on the application of inquiry models to geographic and environmental problems. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Science and Technology Category.

GEOG 3040 - Methods of Planning Analysis

Introduction to a variety of methods of planning analysis used in the investigation of community and regional issues, and the practice of community and regional planning. Topics include population and demographic analysis, local and regional socio-economic analysis, and spatial and environmental analysis.

GEOG 3060 - Climate Change: Past, Present, and Future

(Science credit) The study of the atmospheric environment as it interacts with humans and society. Special emphasis is given to the following: the role of weather and climate in affecting the successful outcome of plans and economic decisions; the dynamics of changing climates and their role in affecting the course of history; human physiological and psychological responses to weather and climate; weather forecasting and its value to society; and the hazards to life, health, and property posed by severe weather. Students should expect to achieve a sufficient understanding of the atmospheric environment so that they may make informed decisions involving weather topics. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Science and Technology Category.

GEOG 3070 - Extreme Weather under Changing Climate

This course provides a thorough introduction of both physical mechanisms and social impact of extreme weathers under climate change. Topics will include introductions of physical properties of different kinds of extreme weather events including hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, blizzard, freezing rain, and drought, and discussions of their possible relations with climate change. Socio-economic impacts and mitigation of those events will also be introduced with the form of case studies. There will be both class and lab sessions for this course.

GEOG 3100 - Introduction to Tourism

Overview of the tourism industry and the factors which influence its structure and development. Examination of tourism as a human experience, a social-cultural phenomenon, an industry and a policy and research field.

GEOG 3110 - Geography of Michigan

An introduction to the physical and cultural patterns in Michigan with emphasis on an understanding of the distribution of population, resources, and forms of economic activity. Attention is also focused upon relevant current State problems.

GEOG 3200 - Culinary Tourism

Culinary tourism is defined as the pursuit of unique and memorable culinary experiences of all kinds, often while traveling. These experiences, which include famous restaurants, bed and breakfast inns, local eateries, wineries, cooking schools, and food festivals, provide business opportunities to tourism industry, and learning opportunities to individuals about places and cultures from a culinary perspective. This course explores the geography of the culinary world with particular reference to the origins and diffusion of the world’s major staples and their relationships with regional cuisines and tourists sites. Topics include the relationship between tourism and food and wine, political, social, and economic contexts of food production and food flow, case studies of regional cuisines in the United States and from around the world, and their implications for the tourism and travel industry. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Societies and Cultures Category.

GEOG 3400 - Tourism of Global Cultures and Local Traditions

This course provides an introduction to the main principles and practices for cultural tourism development at local, regional, national, and international levels. The course investigates the relationship between culture and tourism, by examining the socio-cultural complexities of cultural tourism. Issues and trends in the management of cultural assets, such as interpretation, globalization, cross-cultural values, authenticity, impacts of development, and sustainable tourism, are investigated. Analysis of a wide range of cultural attractions, cultural events and festivals, cultural visitors’ behavior and motivation, souvenirs, and contemporary approaches to the cultural tourism development and management will also be covered. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category.

GEOG 3500 - Conservation and Environmental Management

A critical evaluation of the management of selected natural resources with primary focus on the United States. Conflicts between environmental and economic interests are examined in both historical and contemporary contexts. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Science and Technology Category.

GEOG 3550 - Contemporary Issues in Resources Management

Examination of selected contemporary natural resource and environmental problems, such as questions of natural resource adequacy, environmental pollution, energy shortages, political and economic problems related to resource management, and individual studies of local, national and global environmental problems. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category.

GEOG 3800 - North American Borders

A geographical analysis of North American spatial patterns and processes, with particular focus on cultural, political, economic, and physical geographies, as well as difference at international, national, regional, and local scales. The course emphasizes that North America is a contested and ever-changing configuration of ideas, institutions, people, and objects. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category.

GEOG 3830 - Geography of Europe

Intensive regional study of the European nations. The physical elements (climate, landforms, resources, etc.) are examined and the derivative cultural elements are identified. Emphasis is placed upon the social and economic activities of contemporary Europe.

GEOG 3860 - Geography of Africa

Survey of the principle physical, cultural, economic and political patterns of Africa, followed by studies of the significant elements of the major realms and states, e.g., population distribution, agriculture, patterns of economic and natural resource development, environmental issues, transportation systems, etc. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category.

GEOG 3880 - Geography of Latin America

Regional study of the physical, human, social, and environmental characteristics of Latin America with attention to the interrelationships of the physical and cultural environments. Historical background necessary for the interpretation of the present political, social, and economic conditions is included. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category.

GEOG 3890 - South and Southeast Asia

Systematic review of the physical and cultural environments of South and Southeast Asia. Economic, social, and political issues will be examined from a spatial viewpoint.

GEOG 3900 - China, Japan, and Korea: Lands and Cultures

An introduction to the contemporary landscapes, cultures, and economies of the countries of East Asia, specifically China, Japan, and the Koreas (ROK, PRK). It is a survey of the interactions over time between the physical environments of East Asia and the cultures, the political conditions, the economies, and societies of the nations and places within the region. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category.

GEOG 4080 - Tourism Marketing

Examination of the linkages between geography and tourism, the marketing of travel, and tourism and hospitality products. The course covers tourism and marketing research methods, marketing strategies, marketing planning, and marketing plan implementation with a focus on issues of tourism development. Students apply concepts and materials to a course research project related to tourism providers in west Michigan.

GEOG 4120 - Professional Practice

Provision for an advanced student to benefit by supplementary practical experiences in a particular branch of geography, either by assisting faculty engaged in research or by working in a departmentally-approved off-campus agency. Specific assignments are arranged in consultation with departmental advisors during the semester preceding that in which the student expects to enroll in 4120.

GEOG 4180 - Tourism Planning and Development

Introduction to concepts, principles, models, and theories of tourism planning and development. Analysis of issues in tourism planning including potential of the tourist sector, tourism image and impacts, positioning of tourism products, destination planning, and tourism development process and strategies at national, regional, and local levels.

GEOG 4240 - Biogeography

This course focuses on the application of geographic theory, methods and techniques to the spatial distributions of plant and animal species. The course will explore both the physical and human dimensions of patterns and processes associated with species distributions, movement and conservation. Course themes will include such topics as: physical environment impacts on growth, development and distribution; global regions and ecoregions; agricultural production and domesticated species; movement of species (domestic, invasive); and epidemiology.

GEOG 4250 - Climatology

The course provides a detailed examination of the science of climatology and offers hands-on experience utilizing climatological data and methods to address environmental problems. Topics include the physics of climate, global climatic regions, climate feedback processes, paleoclimate and climate change, air pollution climatology, climatological data analysis methods, application of climatic processes and data to a wide variety of environmental problems.

GEOG 4260 - Natural Disasters and Risk Management

Examination of a broad range of geographic issues and topics relating to natural hazards/disasters, while emphasizing the understanding of physical and social dynamics that must interact to produce hazards/disasters, the spatial and temporal distributions of various hazards, and policy options for disaster preparation and loss reduction. Topics include the physical dimensions of natural hazards/disasters, community attitudes and adjustments, economic and social impacts of natural hazards/disasters, risk assessment and management, and natural hazards/disasters and public policy.

GEOG 4300 - Climate and Geographical Change

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to analyze paramount climate change issues from geographical perspectives. Topics to be covered include climate change science, geography of climate change, spatial analysis, environmental and human impacts of, response and adaptation to climate change at global, regional, and local scales. Case studies from different countries and disciplines will be used to facilitate active student participation in the course.

GEOG 4560 - Land Use and Environmental Planning

A survey of the field of land use planning; concepts of land use planning; traditional and contemporary approaches to land use planning; the background and practice of zoning and subdivision regulations in American municipalities; land use and transportation planning.

GEOG 4600 - Geospatial Technology in Teaching Geography and Social Studies

This pre-service course is designed for students meeting professional requirements necessary for teaching geography/social studies. The course applies a balance of geospatial technology embedded within teaching methodologies that enhance social science inquiry in the classroom. Instructional approaches to meet content standards in social studies from the Michigan Department of Education are a major focus, along with the application of national content standards in the core content of the social studies.

GEOG 4670 - GIS Projects and Programming

Principles and applications of GIS project management, including devising an efficient, innovative and practical solution to a real-world problem by acquiring, organizing, and analyzing data using a GIS and advanced techniques in spatial analysis, spatial statistics, and/or cartographic programming. Discussion topics will include professionally relevant issues such as team management, budget and proposal development and customizing GIS with internal and external languages.

GEOG 4685 - Internet GIS

Principles and applications of GIS in the Internet environment. Topics to be covered may include WebGIS application tools, geospatial web services, geospatial mashups, participatory GIS applications, web-based data mining, ArcGIS API for JavaScript, and Mobil GIS.

GEOG 5000 - Advanced Tourism Studies

This course uses a multidisciplinary approach to examine the burgeoning tourism industry and addresses some emerging issues in tourism development. Topics include but not limited to cultural tourism, ecotourism, agritourism, and tourism and sustainability. Case studies from different countries will be used to illustrate the topics under discussion. It is a seminar-style course where student participation is expected.

GEOG 5010 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Introduction to basic principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with applications to a variety of problems using established data sources and repositories. Includes fundamental principles of cartographic design and communication. A first course in a curricular sequence developing GIS professional expertise.

GEOG 5020 - Cartographic Design

GEOG 5436 - Transportation Planning

This course covers the practice of planning multimodal transportation systems including motorized transportation networks (roads, cars, and trucking), public transportation (buses and rail), paratransit, non-motorized transportation (trails, bikes, and pedestrian), airlines and airports, freight (road, rail, water, and air), and information networks. Information processing applications covered in this course include GIS-T and Intelligent Transportation Systems.

GEOG 5440 - Studies in Economic Geography

Studies in world and local patterns of agriculture, manufacture, transportation, or retail/service activities. In any term, the course focuses upon one of these four economic sectors.

Agriculture. Describes and analyzes agricultural systems throughout the world; focuses on selected crop-livestock systems and the changing character of agricultural land use in the United States.

Manufacturing. Examination of theories and strategies of industrial plant location, the relationship of industrialization to regional economic growth and development, and selected industry case studies evaluating the interrelations of locational, economic, technological, and political factors in the respective industry’s historic evolution.

Transportation. Examination of the historic evolution of transport systems in developed and developing nations, transport factors in location theory, techniques of transport analysis, the urban transport dilemma, and competitive and complementary characteristics of the different transport modes.

Retail and Service. Examination of the evolution of the retail and service sector, the geography of retail and service firms, theories and strategies of retail and service firm location, and the relationship between retail and service sector and local economic development

GEOG 5450 - Studies in Human Geography

Each course listed under this general title is a concentrated study of one of the principal subdivisions of human geography. The scope and principal themes of each specialized field are reviewed, with consideration given to current research on selected problems.

Cultural Geography. Techniques of spatial analysis applicable to the study of humans and their environment. The place of origin, diffusion, and present distribution of selected cultural patterns will be traced with emphasis given to cultural traits which strongly influence human occupancy of the earth’s surface.

Historical Geography. Studies of geographic and related features which have combined to influence the course of historical development. This course will concentrate on a particular region and/or period of time during each semester in which it is offered. Each specialization will be designated in the class schedule.

Political Geography. General survey of the principles and the applied aspects of political geography; primary emphasis on the physical and cultural resource bases and conflicts of national states, the assessment of location, boundary delimitation and the territorial sea, politically-organized territories within the administrative hierarchy, and electoral geography.

GEOG 5530 - Water Resources Management

Examination of water resources management with an emphasis on the effects of water uses and runoff on water quality and quantity. Topics include: water resource systems, estimating consumptive and non-consumptive water uses, and run off with computer models, and multiple socio-economic and hydrological factors in water resources management.

GEOG 5541 - Outdoor Recreation: Resources and Planning

Examination of extensive, resource-based outdoor recreation (such as parks, wilderness, wild rivers, hunting and fishing, hiking, etc.) with emphasis upon recreational planning. Topics include supply and demand for outdoor recreation, identification of present and future recreational needs, policy considerations, administration of recreational land uses, and various problems associated with outdoor recreation. Readings, discussion, and student-designed and executed individual studies provide professional orientation.

GEOG 5550 - Contemporary Issues in Resources Management

GEOG 5570 - Environmental Impact Assessment

The National Environmental Policy Act is the only over-arching environmental legislation in the United States. It has been used as a template for umbrella environmental policies around the globe. This course provides students with an overview of the Act, an examination of the process set for within it, and an opportunity to prepare a draft of environmental impact statement.

GEOG 5582 - Planning Studio

A project oriented studio course designed to focus on applied planning and design techniques. Integration and application of skills and knowledge from other courses to “real-life” community-based planning projects. Projects will integrate the physical and human environments: terrain and landscape, natural and cultural context, microclimate, infrastructure, and adjacent land uses, economic and environmental impacts, etc. Studio seminars, discussion, and field visits will explore theory and practice in observation, problem formulation, alternatives generation, and plan development and presentations.

GEOG 5670 - Spatial Analysis

This course provides an introduction to techniques for spatial data analysis in geographical research. Topics include: experimental design and sampling; spatial data visualization and exploration; analysis of clusters and point patterns; global and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation; basic concepts of geostatistics; and an introduction to spatial data analysis. The main focus will be on data description and exploration.

GEOG 5690 - Geospatial Workflows

This course builds on introductory coursework in geographic information science. In this course, the emphasis is placed on developing solutions to problems that involve spatial entities and attributes. Student search for solutions by building workflows that employ logical conceptual analysis, tools, and modeling capabilities provided by a typical geographic information system.

GEOG 5710 - Planning Theory

A survey of the history and development of planning thought in the United States. Topics include history of planning; theory about the manner in which planning and policy-making is undertaken - including economic political, social theories of government intervention; contributions of the significant persons, events, publications, projects, organizations, plans, and programs at local, state, and national levels to the evolution of planning practice and the profession in America.

GEOG 5720 - Cities and Urban Systems

Study of processes and forms of urban settlement highlighting problems relating to (1) political and geographical realities of urbanized regions, (2) factors in city growth (or decline), (3) the sizes, functions, and geographical distribution of cities, and (4) population patterns in contemporary cities. Activities are designed to provide the student with experience in the use of source materials and methods of analysis utilized in urban geography.

GEOG 5830 - Remote Sensing

An introduction to the concepts and foundations of digital earth image acquisition, interpretation, processing, and analysis. Emphasis is placed on analysis of land cover/land use change and vegetation health and abundance using imagery obtained by satellites and aircraft including low-altitude Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) otherwise known as UAVs or drones. Additional remote sensing data sources are examined including light detection and ranging (lidar) and radio detection and ranging (radar).

GEOG 5840 - Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) Data Capture, Processing, and Analysis

Theoretical foundations and applied demonstration on how to: (1) acquire remotely sensed low-altitude aerial imagery and other aerial data utilizing Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) otherwise known as UAVs or drones, (2) process aerial imagery using Structure from Motion (SfM) computer vision algorithms and other techniques to generate accurate geospatial data products such as two-dimensional (2D) orthophotomosiacs and three-dimensional (3D) point clouds, and (3) analyze these datasets for a variety for geospatial applications (e.g., forestry, agriculture, land cover change, terrain modeling).

GEOG 5970 - Independent Study

Designed for highly qualified majors and graduate students who wish to study in depth some aspect of their field of specialization under a member of the departmental staff. Repeatable for credit.

GEOG 6090 - Studies in Regional Geography

An investigation of selected topics in physical and human geography of a region, e.g., Latin America, Anglo-America, Europe. Regional concentration will vary from semester to semester, with the region being indicated at time of enrollment.

GEOG 6200 - Seminar in Physical Geography

A review of current literature and recent developments in several disciplines which form the basis of physical geography. A final research project is required.

GEOG 6240 - Seminar in Biogeography

This graduate seminar will focus on theoretical and applied biogeography. Traditional concepts in biogeography, such as the physical and biological environmental variables that influence geographic regions and ranges, will be supplemented with current issues in biogeography, including such topics as food security, biodiversity, and global change. Discussion, short excursions, field techniques, GIScience, lecture and lab exercises will be used to explore current research trends in biogeography.

GEOG 6250 - Climatology

This course provides a detailed examination of the science of climatology and offers hands-on experience utilizing climatological data and methods to address environmental problems. Topics to be covered include the physics of climate, global climatic regions, climate feedback processes, paleoclimate and climate change, air pollution climatology, climatological data analysis methods, application of climatic processes and data to a wide variety of environmental problems.

GEOG 6260 - Disaster Management

This graduate course will focus on the physical and social dynamics of disaster management. Spatial and temporal variation of disasters and management will be investigated. Disaster planning, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery will be highlighted.

GEOG 6300 - Climate and Geographical Change

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to analyze paramount climate change issues from geographical perspectives. Topics include climate change science, geography of climate change, spatial analysis, environmental and human impacts of, response and adaptation to climate change at global, regional, and local scales. Case studies from different countries and disciplines will be used to facilitate active student participation in the course.

GEOG 6610 - Geographic Research

Problem formulation and research design are introduced in light of modern geographic thought and current practices. Other course emphases are sources of geographic information, search strategies, and the written presentation of research materials. Graduate students in geography are urged to complete this course as soon as possible.

GEOG 6620 - History and Philosophy of Geography

Development of geographic thought since antiquity. Examination of the evolution and development of modern geography as a professional discipline, including its roots, present status, and future directions.

GEOG 6650 - Seminar in Geography

Designed for the advanced student interested in analyzing problems related to various topics in geography.

GEOG 6670 - Project Management and Programming

Principles and applications of GIS project management, including devising an efficient, innovative and practical solution to a real-world problem by acquiring, and analyzing data using a GIS and advanced techniques in spatial analysis, spatial statistics, and/or cartographic programming. Discussion topics will include professionally relevant issues such as team management, budget and proposal development and customizing GIS with internal and external languages.

GEOG 6685 - GIS and Internet Applications

GEOG 6720 - Community Analysis and Planning Techniques

Techniques and methods used in community and regional planning analysis with emphasis on social, economic and location analysis. Topics include planning research methods, demographic analysis, and economic analysis.

GEOG 6730 - Seminar in Community Development and Planning

Seminar in Community Development and Planning Seminar in planning including land use planning, and planning law and administration, economic development. In any term, the course focuses upon one of these four economic sectors.

1. Land Use Planning A survey of the field of land use planning; concepts of land use planning; traditional and contemporary approaches to land use planning; the background and practice of zoning and subdivision regulations in American municipalities; land use and transportation planning.

2. Planning Law and Administration: Legal foundations of land use planning in the United States and in the state of Michigan including governmental institutions, real property, constitutional law, land use law, and environmental law. Administrative structures and processes related to land use regulation, land development, and the processes of local and regional plan development and implementation.

3. Economic Development: Survey of strategies and methods of local economic development including revitalization, business development and retention, and building resiliency.

GEOG 6820 - Advanced Remote Sensing

This course focuses on acquisition and interpretation of remotely sensed data, including data collection with several instruments. The main body of this course stresses interactive interpretation of digital image data collected from aircraft or satellites and manipulated within image processing/geographic information system software.

GEOG 7100 - Independent Research

Please refer to the Graduate College section for course descriptions.

GEOG 7120 - Professional Field Experience

Please refer to the Graduate College section for course descriptions.