Geography describes and explains the past, present, and future locations and spatial patterns of humans and their settlements, cultural and economic traits, and natural environment and resources. The department’s programs focus on environmental studies (human/environment interactions, natural resource policy and management, legal geography and social justice) and geographic information science (geographic information systems, cartography and geovisualization, remote sensing, GPS, and spatial statistics).
Geography and Environmental Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, and a Master of Science degree. The B.A. and B.S. degrees prepare majors for one of two career paths, or for entrance into the M.S. program. The B.A. degree acknowledges general competency in Geography for those seeking careers in either applied geography or environmental studies.
The GIScience minor is ideally suited for majors from many College of Arts and Sciences departments, as well as from other Schools at UNM. These technologies are finding many practical applications in the social and physical sciences, engineering, healthcare, architecture and planning, and legal professions.
The Law, Environment and Geography minor is ideal for majors from any of the social sciences who are interested in the ways law influences and is influenced by both human and non-human environments. It is an ideal track for students who are interested in pursuing careers in law, natural resource management, criminal justice studies, urban studies, and environmental science.
A minimum of 26 credit hours; 23 credit hours must be in courses acceptable toward graduation.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on all work.
Completion of Department of Geography and Environmental Studies admission coursework with grades of "C" or better:
The B.A. major in Geography requires 38-39 credit hours of lower and upper-division coursework.
The B.S. major in Geography requires 39-43 credit hours of lower and upper-division coursework.
Undergraduate students pursuing either the B.A. or B.S. in Geography have the option of seeking honors in Geography by completing advanced independent work that leads to a Senior Thesis. Students aspiring to honors in Geography must announce their intention to the Geography and Environmental Studies faculty before the end of the junior year. Minimum requirements for graduation with honors in Geography are as follows: (1) completion of all requirements required for the B.A. or B.S. in Geography; (2) maintenance of an overall grade point average of 3.20; (3) completion of 6 credit hours of advanced coursework; and (4) submission of a written senior thesis.
Candidates for honors in Geography are required to take the following courses in their senior year: 3 credit hours of GEOG 491 (Problems in Geography) in the fall semester, followed by 3 credit hours of GEOG 471 Senior Geography Capstone in the spring semester. The objective of these 6 credit hours is for the candidate to develop a substantial independent project in Geography research, which leads to submission of a Senior Thesis by the 12th week of the spring term of the student's senior year. The thesis advisor and a second reader selected from the Geography and Environmental Studies Faculty together determine if the quality of the thesis is sufficient for honors, and at what level.
Courses
GEOG 101. Home Planet: Land, Water and Life. (3)
World geography; physical elements. Use of maps and globes for a systematic analysis of world climates, vegetation, soils and landforms and their distribution, interrelation and significance to humans.
Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science.
GEOG 102. People and Place. (3)
World geography; human elements. A systematic analysis of world population, demographic factors, ethnic groups, predominant economies and political units and their distribution, interrelation and interaction with the physical earth.
Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (NMCCN 1213).
GEOG 105L. Home Planet: Land, Water and Life Laboratory. (1)
Exercises designed to complement 101. Applied problems in the spatial processes of the physical environment. Map construction and reading, weather and climatic analysis, classification of vegetative and soil associations, landform distribution analysis. Two hours lab.
Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science.
Pre- or corequisite: 101.
GEOG 140. Introduction to World Regions. (3)
The regional geography of the world. Both physical and human aspects are studied along with current economic and political problems.
GEOG 180. The World of Beer. (3)
This course examines and the complex and fascinating world of beer. It examines social and ecological influences on its development and explores the functions of beer from historical, economic, cultural, environmental and physical viewpoints.
GEOG 181 [281]. Introduction to Maps and Geospatial Information. (3)
Maps are tools for communication. Will explore scale; projections; symbolization; generalization; alternative or non-tradition map representations provided by GIS, remote sensing, multimedia and animated maps.
GEOG 181L. Geospatial Field Methods. (1)
Students gain field and laboratory experience in geographic data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Topics include map reading, spatial sampling and statistics, the global position system (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and cartography.
GEOG 195. Introduction to Environmental Studies. (3)
Survey of environmental issues related to the degradation of land, air and water resources.
GEOG 217. Energy, Environment and Society. (3)
(Also offered as ME 217)
A look at the social, ethical, and environmental impacts of energy use both now and through history. A survey of renewable energy and conservation and their impact on environmental and social systems.
GEOG 251. Meteorology. (3)
(Also offered as EPS 251)
Description of weather phenomena, principles of atmospheric motion, weather map analysis and weather prediction.
GEOG 254. Introduction to Latin American Society I: Social Sciences. (3)
(Also offered as LTAM 254, POLS 254, SOC 354)
Introduction to Latin American Studies through the social sciences examines major themes including colonialism, agrarian transformation, urbanization, demographics, family, human rights, inequalities, violence, and social movements. Emphasis given to insights gained from making interdisciplinary connections.
GEOG 350. Natural Environments. (3)
This course examines the biophysical processes that produce distinctive landscapes in polar, temperate, tropical, and alpine environments, by analyzing interactions between climate, vegetation, soils, landforms, geology, and human activities.
Prerequisite: 101 and 105L.
GEOG 352. Global Climate Change. (3)
(Also offered as EPS 352)
Comparison of natural and anthropogenic causes of large-scale climate change. Factors influencing development of mitigation of adaptation policies.
Prerequisite: MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 153 or MATH 162.
GEOG **360. Land Use Management. (3)
Exercise of legal and political power over land and other resources. Resolution of conflicts between competing land users.
GEOG 364. Law, Place and Space. (3)
This class examines the relationships between law and geography, interrogating how law shapes the human experience of place, and the ways that a variety of spatial categories inform the law.
GEOG 365. Nature and Society. (3)
This course explores the human dimensions of geographical challenges through the traditions, actions and social organization of contemporary western and global/international human systems.
GEOG 380L. Basic Statistics for Geographers. (3)
Introduces fundamental statistical and quantitative modeling techniques widely used in geography. Emphasizes geographic examples and spatial problems. Includes a lab component that covers the use of statistical software in geographic analysis. Fee required.
GEOG **381L. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. (4)
The study of spatial data, spatial processes and an introduction to the computer tools necessary to analyze spatial representations of the real world. Exercises in data acquisition, preprocessing, map analysis and map output. Fees required. Three hours lecture, 2 hours lab.
GEOG 390. Qualitative Methods for Geographers. (3)
This course introduces fundamental qualitative methods and research design widely used in geography. Emphasizes geographic examples and spatial problems through the completion of an independent research project on a geography topic.
GEOG 427 / 527. Introductory Programming for GIS. (3)
This course is intended to provide GIS software users with an introduction to Python, the de facto programming language of the GIS community.
Prerequisite: **381L.
GEOG 428 / 528. Advanced Programming for GIS. (3)
This course is intended to provide advanced GIS software programing experience, with an emphasis on the creation of standalone, distributable programs in Python, the de facto programming language of the GIS community.
Prerequisite: 427.
GEOG *445. Geography of New Mexico and the Southwest. (3)
This course introduces the geography of the Southwest, focusing on New Mexico. Students will conduct independent research in conjunction with a multi-day field trip.
GEOG *446. Exploring Oaxaca Through Food and Craft. (3)
Field course focusing on food and craft production as related to geography, sustainability, and development in indigenous communities in Oaxaca, Mexico. Topics include indigenous culture, food systems, globalization, heritage and tourism, economics and material culture.
GEOG *450. Environmental Hazards. (3)
This course provides an introduction to environmental hazards including drought, floods, earthquakes, wildfire, and hurricanes. Geographic technologies used to map, model, analyze, and manage hazards are discussed. Disturbances related to human-environment interactions are covered.
GEOG 461 / 561. Environmental Management. (3)
Examination of critical issues of environmental degradation in global and local system related to: air and water pollution, soil erosion, deforestation, strip mining, over dependence on fossil fuels and improper management of toxic and other wastes. Appraisal of the conservation methods and policies applied to these issues and the outlook for the future.
GEOG 462 / 562. Water Resources Management. (3)
An examination of the problems and trends in the use of water resources in the United States, with emphasis on the physical and social aspects related to its management.
GEOG 463 / 563. Public Land Management. (3)
Defining public and private rights associated with managing natural resources is the key to many of the current controversies concerning the environment. This course looks at public land policy and policy related to other common property resources such as water, the oceans, and the coastal zone.
GEOG 464 / 564. Food and Natural Resources. (3)
Students gain an advanced introduction to the social and environmental effects of individual food choices, through the analysis of the sociocultural and biophysical relationships embedded in various agricultural and food production systems.
GEOG 466 / 566. The City. (3)
This class examines the vectors of difference - cultural, economic, political, legal and environmental - that animate urban form and life. Class involves fieldwork.
GEOG 467 / 567. Governing the Global Environment. (3)
The role of global and regional governmental and non-governmental organizations in environmental politics, and the process of their formation and change in response to environmental problems.
GEOG 469 / 569. Environments and Peoples in Latin America. (3)
Course uses human geography to explore development and historical economic and environmental change in Latin America, with a special focus on the second half of the 20th century.
GEOG 471. Senior Geography Capstone. (1 [3])
Students examine how geographic knowledge may be applied beyond academia, through discussion of key ideas in geography, personal values, and career goals. Students gain practical experience preparing for professional careers.
Restriction: senior standing.
GEOG *481L. Map Design and Geovisualization. (4)
Thematic mapping of qualitative and quantitative data, including graphic design theory and appropriate statistical and representational treatment of geospatial data. Fees required. Two hours lecture, four hours lab.
Prerequisite: 281.
GEOG 483L / 583L. Remote Sensing Fundamentals. (4)
Introduces the concepts of remote sensing of the Earth, sensors and photographic systems used, and the basic processing and analysis required to bring the imagery into GIS. Includes a lab component. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L.
GEOG 484L / 584L. Applications of Remote Sensing. (4)
Explores the utilization of remote sensing imagery through advanced processing and analysis. Covers the integration of imagery into specific research areas, including biological, geological, urban and hydrological analysis. Includes a lab component. Fee required.
Prerequisite: 483L.
GEOG 485L / 585L. Internet Mapping. (3)
Current and emerging approaches to internet mapping, including geospatial interoperability standards, technologies, and capabilities. Includes a lab component that covers the use of various types of software and applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L.
GEOG 486L / 586L. Applications of GIS. (3)
Selected applications of Geographic Information Systems, including anthropology, business, crime, ecology, engineering, health, planning, water resources and others. Covers analytical techniques specific to selected applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L.
GEOG 487L / 587L. Spatial Analysis and Modeling. (3)
Spatial analysis and modeling techniques using Geographic Information Systems. Includes a lab component that covers the use of GIS and other software to carry out analysis projects. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L.
GEOG 488L / 588L. GIS Concepts and Techniques. (3)
Selected advanced concepts and techniques in Geographic Information Systems. Includes a lab component that provides students with the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques in a hands-on manner. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L.
GEOG 491. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Supervised individual study and field work. Must be taken for 6 credit hours in the Honors program.
GEOG 493. Internship in Applied Geography. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Written field analysis of a project coordinated between student, faculty and public or private manager. Credits to be determined by supervising faculty.
GEOG *499. Topics in Geography. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Specific topics in geography which relate contemporary issues to the discipline. Topics will be noted in the appropriate schedule of classes. Credit can be applied by majors to the appropriate department group requirements for the degree.
GEOG 501. Geographic History and Methods. (3)
Examines, evaluates, and criticizes the methods geographers have used to analyze the reciprocal relationship between humankind and the environment.
GEOG 502. Approaches to Geographical Research. (3)
Introduces the basic elements of research design and proposal writing, focusing on examples from current geographic research.
Prerequisite: 501.
GEOG 514. Natural Resources Management Seminar. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course explores the interdisciplinary nature of natural resource challenges. Topics will vary each semester. Field trips will be included to investigate issues relevant to the class.
GEOG 515. Cultural and Political Ecology. (3)
This seminar examines case studies and recent geographical scholarship in cultural and political ecology, focusing on its relevance for resource managers and institutions.
GEOG 516. Seminar: Globalization. (3)
This seminar examines the political, cultural, and economic facets of globalization, focusing on contemporary theories of neoliberalism and post-colonialism.
GEOG 517. Legal Geography. (3)
This class provides an overview of the legal system, the ways law is spatially manifested, and the spatial vectors that animate the law.
GEOG 522. Introduction to Spatial Data Management. (3)
(Also offered as OILS 515)
This course builds upon the foundations of information practice with an emphasis on spatial data. Students will survey essential methods for evaluating, accessing, organizing, storing and securing spatial data and information.
GEOG 524. Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing. (3)
This course provides graduate students with the opportunity to explore theoretical, technical and applied advancements in remote sensing as a tool for monitoring and managing earth resources
Prerequisite: (583L or 483L) and (584L or 484L).
GEOG 525. Advanced GIScience Seminar. (3)
Examination of current trends in Geographic Information Science, including technical, social, institutional and legal issues.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
GEOG 527 / 427. Introductory Programming for GIS. (3)
This course is intended to provide GIS software users with an introduction to Python, the de facto programming language of the GIS community.
Prerequisite: **381L or 581L.
GEOG 528 / 428. Advanced Programming for GIS. (3)
This course is intended to provide advanced GIS software programing experience, with an emphasis on the creation of standalone, distributable programs in Python, the de facto programming language of the GIS community.
Prerequisite: 527 or 427.
GEOG 551. Drylands. (3)
This course provides an intensive overview of the unique physical geographies of arid regions with concentrated precipitation, commonly known as drylands. The course introduces drylands bio-geographies, geomorphology, and fluvial processes.
GEOG 561 / 461. Environmental Management. (3)
Examination of critical issues of environmental degradation in global and local system related to: air and water pollution, soil erosion, deforestation, strip mining, over dependence on fossil fuels and improper management of toxic and other wastes. Appraisal of the conservation methods and policies applied to these issues and the outlook for the future.
GEOG 562 / 462. Water Resources Management. (3)
An examination of the problems and trends in the use of water resources in the United States, with emphasis on the physical and social aspects related to its management.
GEOG 563 / 463. Public Land Management. (3)
Defining public and private rights associated with managing natural resources is the key to many of the current controversies concerning the environment. This course looks at public land policy and policy related to other common property resources such as water, the oceans, and the coastal zone.
GEOG 564 / 464. Food and Natural Resources. (3)
Students gain an advanced introduction to the social and environmental effects of individual food choices, through the analysis of the sociocultural and biophysical relationships embedded in various agricultural and food production systems.
GEOG 566 / 466. The City. (3)
This class examines the vectors of difference - cultural, economic, political, legal and environmental - that animate urban form and life. Class involves fieldwork.
GEOG 567 / 467. Governing the Global Environment. (3)
The role of global and regional governmental and non-governmental organizations in environmental politics, and the process of their formation and change in response to environmental problems.
GEOG 569 / 469. Environments and Peoples in Latin America. (3)
Course uses human geography to explore development and historical economic and environmental change in Latin America, with a special focus on the second half of the 20th century.
GEOG 580L. Spatial Statistics. (3)
Introduces fundamental statistical and quantitative modeling techniques widely used in geography. Emphasizes geographic examples and spatial problems. Includes a lab component that covers the use of statistical software in geographic analysis. Fee required.
GEOG 581L. Introduction to GIS for Graduate Students. (3)
Introduces the concepts underlying Geographic Information Systems and its utilization for the input, storage, manipulation, query, display, and analysis of geographical data. Includes a lab component that covers the range of analytical techniques available in current software. Fee required.
GEOG 583L / 483L. Remote Sensing Fundamentals. (4)
Introduces the concepts of remote sensing of the Earth, sensors and photographic systems used, and the basic processing and analysis required to bring the imagery into GIS. Includes a lab component. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L or 581L.
GEOG 584L / 484L. Applications of Remote Sensing. (4)
Explores the utilization of remote sensing imagery through advanced processing and analysis. Covers the integration of imagery into specific research areas, including biological, geological, urban and hydrological analysis. Includes a lab component. Fee required.
Prerequisite: 483L or 583L.
GEOG 585L / 485L. Internet Mapping. (3)
Current and emerging approaches to internet mapping, including geospatial interoperability standards, technologies, and capabilities. Includes a lab component that covers the use of various types of software and applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L or 581L.
GEOG 586L / 486L. Applications of GIS. (3)
Selected applications of Geographic Information Systems, including anthropology, business, crime, ecology, engineering, health, planning, water resources and others. Covers analytical techniques specific to selected applications. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L or 581L.
GEOG 587L / 487L. Spatial Analysis and Modeling. (3)
Spatial analysis and modeling techniques using Geographic Information Systems. Includes a lab component that covers the use of GIS and other software to carry out analysis projects. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L or 581L.
GEOG 588L / 488L. GIS Concepts and Techniques. (3)
Selected advanced concepts and techniques in Geographic Information Systems. Includes a lab component that provides students with the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques in a hands-on manner. Fee required.
Prerequisite: **381L or 581L.
GEOG 590. Qualitative Methods. (3)
This course is designed to expose students to the underlying theories, purpose, scope, and procedures of qualitative research, especially as applied to human geography.
GEOG 591. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Supervised individual study and field work.
GEOG 593. Internship in Applied Geography. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Written field analysis of a project coordinated between student, faculty and public or private manager. Credits to be determined by supervising faculty.
GEOG 597. Master's Project. (3)
Development of an advanced project in geographical research under the supervision of a graduate committee. A grade of CR is earned if the project is approved by faculty committee.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Prerequisite: 501 and 502.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
GEOG 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
