USP Codes are listed in brackets by the 1991 USP code followed by the 2003 USP code (i.e. [M2<>QB]).

1000. World Regional Geography. 3. [C2, G1<>CS, G] Covers the distributions, traits, and processes of the Earth's peoples and landscapes through the perspective of regional geography, which is the study of the spatial relationships of natural environments and human societies. (Offered both semesters)

1010. Introduction to Physical Geography. 4. [S3<>SE] Systematically studies natural aspects of geographic environments, including weather and climate, landforms, soils and vegetation. Lab fee required. (Offered both semesters)

1020. Introduction to Human Geography. 3. [C2, G1<>CS, G] Analyzes spatial patterns of and interaction between the world's great cultural systems. Includes settlement patterns, behavioral patterns, agricultural land use and resource utilization. (Normally offered spring semester)

1050. Introduction to Natural Resources. 3. [C2, G1<>(none)] Examines human interaction with environment, ranging from regional to global scales, from perspectives of environmental effects on human life, human effects on environment and approaches to environmental management. (Normally offered spring semester)

2150. Map Use and Analysis. 3. Survey of the use of maps to communicate ideas and opinions about places, and the analysis and presentation of mapped data to solve spatial or geographic problems. (Normally offered fall semester) (A)

2200. Geography of Wyoming and the West. Covers the distributions, traits, and processes of Wyoming's people and landscapes, and their context in the West, through the perspective of regional geography. Prerequisite: G&R 1010 or 1020. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources) (H)

2370. Chicano History: Origins to 1900. 3. [C2, G1<>CS, D] General survey of the history of the Mexican American Chicano people in the U.S. Examines the origins and development of Mexican Americans, Chicanos through the major historical processes which have shaped their experience. Major themes include multicultural, multiethnic context, origins; changing identity, comparative relations to other social, ethnic groups, culture, social structure, politics, economy, immigration and the influence of United States-Mexico relations. Prerequisites: none. Cross listed with CHST 2370 and HIST 2370.

2500. The Impact of the Union Pacific on Wyoming History. [W2, C2<>(none)] Students experience and interpret the impact of the building of the Union Pacific Railroad on the history and culture of Wyoming through the lens of three disciplinary perspectives. Students will explore how the railroad impacted Wyoming geography, economic development and the people of the state through personal research projects. Cross listed with ECON 2500 and HIST 2500. (H)

2550. Recreation and Natural Resources. 3. [C2<>CS] Introduces outdoor recreation agencies and programs; supply and demand for outdoor recreation resources; and relationship of recreation to the conservation of natural resources. Prerequisite: G&R 1200. (Normally offered fall semester) (R)

3010. Landforms and Soils. 3. Systematically studies types, origins and distributions of various landforms and soils. Travel fee required. Prerequisite: G&R 1010. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources) (P)

3030. Geography and Development. 3. [C2, G1<>CS, G] Examines distribution of wealth and poverty in the world; theories of development, from traditional modernization theories through Marxist critiques and sustainable development; and case studies from around the world of development successes and failures, chosen to illustrate and illuminate theories of development. Prerequisite: G&R 1000 or 1020 or 3 hours of social science with global focus. (Offered once every two years in spring semester) (H)

3050. Economic Geography. 3. Conceptually examines explanations underlying location of agricultural and industrial activities, as well as spatial dynamics governing these systems. (Normally offered every other year) (H)

3205. Basic GIS. 1. Description of the basic elements of a GIS; hardware, software, spatial data, display, and personnel.  A series of practical exercises using GIS will be completed demonstrating each of the elements.  Prerequisites:  junior standing or consent of instructor.

3450. Weather and Climate. 3. Systematically examines elements and controls of weather and climate with application to regions. Prerequisite: G&R 1000, 1010 or 1020. (Normally offered spring semester) (P)

3480. Environmental Change. 3. Examines changes in the bio-physical environments and landscapes of Earth during its habitation by humans.  Emphasizes integrated approaches to reconstructing past environmental conditions based on climatological, ecological, geological and archeological evidence.  Prerequisites:  G&R 1010 or equivalent.

3550. Natural Hazards and Society. 3. [C2<>CS] Considers societal structures and processes as they interact with hazards in the natural environment. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources) (H,P,R)

4000. Terrain Analysis. 3. Studies techniques for acquiring and analyzing spatial data from maps, remotely sensed imagery and field surveys for landscape assessment. Emphasizes deriving maps that describe physical suitability of landscapes for specific human activities. Field trip required. Prerequisites: G&R 2150 and junior standing or consent of instructor. (P,R)

4040. Conservation of Natural Resources. 3. [C2, G1<>CS, G] Geographically analyzes conservation of natural and human resources, as well as political, social and ethical ramifications of our environmental policy. Prerequisite: . 6 hours of Geography or ENR. (R)

4050. Intermediate Economic Geography. 3. Studies spatial interaction of pertinent physical, economic and social variables as they influence behavior of industrial, agricultural and commercial activities. Prerequisite: G&R 3050. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources) (H)

4051. Environmental Politics. 3. [C2, W3<>(none)] Analyzes environmentalism as a political phenomenon. Provides students with a basic understanding of how to analyze political issues by: (1) examining the historical and contemporary issues that produce controversy over environmental matters; and (2) surveying the impacts of these issues on the formulation and implementation of laws, policies, and regulations. Cross listed with POLS, ENR, AMST and REWM 4051. Prerequisite: POLS 1000.

4052. Federal Land Politics. 3. Examines the political forces that have shaped and continue to shape federal land policy and management. Explores the interactions between democratic decision making and science in the management of federal lands. Surveys the sources of controversy over federal land management and methods for harmonizing public demands with technical expertise. Cross listed with POLS/ENR/AMST/REWM 4052. Prerequisite: POLS 1000.

4080. Management of Major River Basins. 3. Examines geography of water resources, including distribution, water as a resource and water as a hazard to humans. Focuses on water management case studies on the scale of major river basins in North America and elsewhere in the world. Prerequisites: G&R 4040 and junior standing or consent of instructor. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources) (P, R)

4111 [BOT 4111].  Remote Sensing of the Environment. 2. Acquaints students with the theory and analysis of satellite and aircraft remote sensing on the Earth’s environment.  Emphasizes applications to terrestrial ecosystems, particularly vegetation.  Dual listed with G&R 5111.  Prerequisites:  Completion of both QA and QB courses, or equivalent.

4112 [BOT 4112]. Remote Sensing Laboratory: Application for Vegetation. 2. Laboratory for G&R 4111.  Emphasizes computer image-processing techniques and satellite digital data for applications for forestry, rangeland ecology, and agriculture.  Includes some manual interpretation of aerial photographs.  Dual listed with G&R 5112.  Prerequisites: G&R 4111 or concurrent enrollment.

4140. Remote Sensing and Natural Resource Management. 3. Provides practical instruction on the use of remote sensing and other technologies for management of agricultural, rangeland and forest resources. Covers the relationships between remote sensing and GIS. Credit will not be given for both BOT 4112 and BOT/G&R 4140. Cross listed with BOT 4140. Prerequisite: BIOL 2400 or G&R 1010. (A, R)

4150. Cartography and Digital Map Design. 4. Studies techniques for effectively selecting, analyzing and graphically displaying geographic information. Prerequisite: G&R 2150 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered spring semester) (A)

4200. Geographic Information Systems I. 4. Basic theories and application in Geographic Information Systems and computer analytical techniques. Prerequisites: G&R 2150 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered fall semester) (A)

4210. Geographic Information Systems II. 4. Advanced study of programs, data structures, and techniques for spatial data display and analysis.  Prerequisite: G&R 4200 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered spring semester) (A)

4280. Quantitative Methods. 4. [M3<>(none)] Examines and utilizes mathematical and statistical tools in analyzing geographic and spatial data. Dual listed with G&R 5280. Prerequisite: STAT 2070 or equivalent. (Normally offered spring semester) (A)

4300. GPS for Natural Resource Management. 3.  Introduction to the basic concepts of global positioning systems, project planning and development, integration into a GIS, and its applications to natural resource management. Dual listed with G&R 5300.  Prerequisites:  Senior status and G&R 2150 or consent of instructor.

4310. Planning Theory. 3. Explores the planning history, components and process, as well as the roles of citizens, decision-makers and planners at all levels of government - federal, state and local. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. (Normally offered fall semester) (A,H,R, PL)

4325. Legal Aspects of Planning. 3. Review of the U.S. Constitution, federal and state laws and statues, and pertinent court cases that directly relate to planning policy at the federal, state and local level. Examination of the legal system to provide services and protect the health, safety, and welfare of citizens with regard to private property rights. Prerequisites: junior standing, USP V course, or consent of instructor.

4330. Land Use Planning. 3. Advanced study of processes expressed as a specific activity on the land. An examination and analysis of the interacting environmental, economic, and social factors that produce the land activity. Dual listed with G&R 5330. 

4340. Natural Resource Management on Western Reservations. 3. Designed to examine natural resource management techniques on western reservations. Topics to be discussed will focus on the management and planning of water, grazing, extractive industries and forestry. Field work on the Wind River Indian Reservation is a part of the class. Cross listed with AIST 4340. Prerequisites: 6 hours of 2000-level AIST classes or consent of instructor.

4370. Environmental Planning. 3. A planning-oriented approach to ecosystems theory based on the federal/legal regulatory foundation.  An examination of scientific and alternative perspectives on the comparative dynamics of natural and human-oriented ecosystems and implementing strategies.  Dual listed with G&R 5370.

4380. Interpreting the Environment. 3. Surveys methods and techniques for interpreting natural and historic resources of areas. Prerequisite: G&R 1200 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered spring semester) (R)

4390. Rural & Small Town Planning. 3.  A single community planning problem is assigned.  Student teams play the role of community planning staff.  Teams experience defining community goals; communicating with others about these goals and problem perceptions; accomplishing necessary research; generating various solutions to problems they have perceived; selected from among these solutions, and formulating a single, integrated, comprehensive plan and documenting the plan and rationale behind it.  Prerequisites:  Work at the 4000-level in one or more of the four substantive areas, and/or consent of the instructor.

4400. Natural Resource Policy. 3. Encompasses administrative policies and programs relating to natural areas. Emphasizes the national park system. Prerequisite: G&R 4750 or consent of instructor. (Offered fall semester of odd-numbered years) (R, PL)

4410. Soil Geomorphology. 4. A primarily field-based course that examines relationships between soils and the landscapes in which they form, including the influence of climate, vegetation, and time on soil formation.   Emphasizes using soils as tools for interpreting past environmental conditions and establishing relative age and stratigraphic relationships between landforms.  Lab fee required.  Dual listed with G&R 5410. Prerequisites:  G&R 3010 or SOIL 4120 or consent of instructor.

4420. Tourism and Recreation. 3. Studies concepts, methods, conflicts and opportunities of national and international tourism. Emphasizes recreation and the environment. Prerequisite: G&R 1200 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered spring semester) (R)

4450. Fluvial Geomorphology. 3. Examines rivers and river-related landforms.  Investigates the physical processes by which water transports and deposits sediment to generate landforms ranging in scale from hillslope rills to continental drainage systems.  Emphasizes surface water hydrology, erosion, sedimentation, channel morphology, and the influences of climate change and human activities on fluvial systems.  Dual listed with G&R 5450. Prerequisites:  G&R 3010 and GEOL 2100 or 2150 or consent of instructor.

4460 [3460]. Biogeography. 3. A systematic study of the distribution of plants and animals, communities and ecosystems, the processes that produce patterns of distribution and their change over time. Interactions of climate, soils, geomorphology, biota and human activities are emphasized. Prerequisite: G&R 1010 or BIOL 2020 and junior standing. (P)

4470. Fire Ecology. 3. Natural and human-caused fires are an important phenomenon affecting ecosystems and human communities throughout the world. Explores the geography, ecology, and management of fires. Prerequisite: G&R 4460, BOT 4700, BIOL 2400, or graduate standing. (P)

4500. The American Landscape. 3. Provides a basis for interpreting the nature and content of the contemporary landscapes of the United States by viewing those landscapes in the process of creation and change and investigates the relationship between landscape and American environmental attitudes. Students are introduced to research techniques and methodologies in historical geography. Prerequisite: G&R 1010 or 1020, or 6 hours in social science.

4520. Regional Geography: _________. 1-4 (Max. 9). Intensive study of the human and physical geography of selected regions of the world. Prerequisite: 15 hours in department or graduate standing. (Offered both semesters) (H)

4530. Images of Wyoming and the West. 3. Interprets the changing natural and cultural landscapes of the American West, using Wyoming and the northern Plains and Rockies as the primary case study area. Particular emphasis will be placed upon conflicts between land uses and environmental attitudes of the “Old” and “New” Wests. Prerequisite:  G&R 1010 or 1020 or HIST 1290.

4540. Topics in Cultural Ecology:_____. 3 (Max. 6). [C2, W3<>G, WC)] Examines selected topics of human-environment interaction from a cultural ecological perspective. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits under different course topics. Dual listed with G&R 5540. Prerequisites: junior standing and 4 hours biological or earth science and 6 hours social science or consent of instructor. (H, R)

4680. Administration of Natural Resource Agencies. 3. Studies basic administrative principles as they apply to operation of public parks and recreation departments. Prerequisite: G&R 1200, 2550 or consent of instructor. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources) (R)

4750 [4700]. Public Land Management. 3. Teaches management of the federal and public lands of the United States. Includes consideration of management issues, agencies and organizations and management approaches for public lands and associated natural resources. Prerequisite: 6 hours of geography or ENR. (Offered once a year) (R, PL)

4860. Field Studies. 1-6 (Max. 6). Intensive introduction to field methods used in geographic research in one or more of the subdivisions of geography.

4865. Directed Studies/Research Problems. 1-6 (Max. 6). Intensive introduction to methods used in geographic research. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and at least 12 hours in geography.

4870 [4990]. Practicum. 1-6 (Max. 12). Experience in applying student skills and training in an agency, organization, or business. Prerequisites: for majors only, minimum of 12 hours in the major, junior standing and consent of the instructor. (Offered fall, spring and summer) (A,H,P,R)

4875 [4950]. Independent Studies. 1-6 (Max. 6). Considers current research topics in consultation with faculty member. Dual listed with G&R 5875. Prerequisite: 9 hours in subject area of topic of current research or consent of instructor. (Offered fall, spring and summer) (A,H,P,R)

4880 [4850]. Current Topics. 1-6 (Max. 9). Special course on a topic of current interest. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered fall, spring and summer) (A,H,P,R)

4885 [4900]. Seminar:_____________. 1-3 (Max. 6.) Faculty-student discussion, reading, and study focused on a selected topic and interest. Dual listed with G&R 5885. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources) (A, H, P, R, PL)

top of page

Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu

Last Change: 11/17/2004