GEG 503 STUDIES IN RESOURCE CONSERVATION
3, 3/0 Offered by contract only
Principles of natural resource conservation; selected problems in resource conservation: soil erosion; water pollution; destruction of forests, grasslands, and wildlife; flood control; depletion of minerals. Emphasizes conservation in the United States and New York State.
GEG 505 THE ERIE CANAL: A GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD TRIP
3, 3/0 Offered by contract only
Historical geography of the building and growth of the Erie Canal and Buffalo: growth and change of the canal and the canal system; related urban, commercial, industrial, and recent recreational development. Field trips; fees for trips. Summer only.
GEG 507
MAP READING AND ANALYSIS
3, 3/0; Offered by contract only.
Map essentials; types of maps and symbols; techniques of map interpretation; classification and use of map projections; map collections.
GEG 508 STUDIES IN THE GEOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK STATE
3, 3/0 Offered by contract only
Physical landscape; cultural geography and settlement; primary economic activities; urban systems and environments; planning and future development of the state.
GEG 516 WATERSHED POLLUTION
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: CHE 101 or CHE 201 or equivalent.
Important pollutants and toxic chemicals generated by anthropogenic activities. Transport, transformation, and fate of these pollutants in watersheds. Impacts of these pollutants on soil, forest, and aquatic ecosystems using specific case studies.
GEG 521 WATERSHED ANALYSIS
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: Instructor permission
Introduction to the systematic analysis of stream dynamics of watersheds and the impact of humans on these dynamics. Physical, chemical, and biological processes in watershed management. Class discussion and a class project will focus on a practical watershed assessment problem.
GEG 525 FUNDAMENTALS OF GIS
3, 3/0 F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Geographic information systems (GIS) and computer cartography. Principles and methods of spatial data automation, models and structures of spatial databases, spatial analysis and map display in computerized environment. Computer mapping principles including scales, map projections, symbolization, coloring strategy, and thematic mapping.
GEG 528 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING APPLICATIONS IN GIS
3, 3/0 Sp 10
Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission
Advanced concepts of GIS with a focus on spatial analytical applications in GIS for environmental assessment and planning. GIS theories and software implementations through hands-on practice to solve real world environmental and planning problems.
GEG 529 ADVANCED TOPICS IN GIS
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: GEG 4/525 and GEG 390 or equivalent statistics course.
Builds from the topics covered in GEG 525 Fundamentals of GIS focusing more on digital representation of the human and physical environment, including location referencing from a human perspective, database design, data quality issues (how to identify and document errors), spatial statistical analysis using GIS, the fourth dimension (time) in GIS, and understanding spatial analysis algorithms and models. Introduces programming in a GIS environment.
GEG 565 SOIL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: Instructor permission
Introduction to soil properties and their influence on physical, chemical, and biological processes. The role of soils in the transport and fate of water and chemicals. Importance of soils for watershed management and protection of aquatic ecosystems.
GEG 575 PRINCIPLES OF HYDROLOGY
3, 3/0 Sp 09
Prerequisite: Instructor permission
The principles of hydrology and the relationship to water resources management and watershed processes. Emphasis is placed on quantifying the processes governing surface, subsurface, and atmospheric movement of water. Students will learn methods used to collect and analyze hydrologic data.
GEG 590 INDEPENDENT STUDY
3, 0/0
GEG 610 SEMINAR
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: 12 hours of geography or instructor permission
Investigation, examination, and discussion of topics of current interest to geographers. Topics to be announced.
GEG 616 ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION MONITORING AND MODELING
3, 3/0 Offered by contract only.
Atmospheric transport and deposition of pollutants. Data interpretation, sampling protocols, monitoring and modeling techniques. Case studies.
GEG 617 HYDROLOGIC MODELING
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: GEG 375 or equivalent.
Mathematical models that can be used to quantify hydrologic processes. Understanding the mechanistic concepts, assumptions behinds the models, and the advantages and limitations associated with using the models. Value of observed data in calibrating the models and the uncertainty associated with model predictions.
GEG 619 WETLAND HYDROLOGY AND ECOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: Instructor permission, BIO 315 or equivalent, GEG 375/575 or equivalent
Introduction to physical, chemical, and ecological processes in wetlands. Impact of wetlands on watershed hydrology and nutrient cycling. Management approaches for wetlands and key regulations that protect wetlands.
GEG 690 MASTER'S PROJECT
3, 0/0
Research or investigation of a particular problem, planned and carried out by the student with consultation and guidance from the instructor, submitted in acceptable form according to the directions given by the Geography and Planning Department.
GEG 695
MASTER's THESIS
6, 0/0
PLN 560 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
3, 3/0 Sp 10
Prerequisite Instructor permission
Legislation and technical procedures involved with the development of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA). Practical experience in conducting an EA and writing an EIS. Includes one field trip.
PLN 590 INDEPENDENT STUDY
3, 0/0
PLN 610 SEMINAR
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: 12 hours of geography or planning, or instructor permission
Investigation, examination, and discussion of topics of current interest to geographers and planners. Topics to be announced.
PLN 690
MASTER’S PROJECT
3, 0/0
Research or investigation of a particular problem, planned and carried out by the student in consultation and guidance from the instructor, submitted in acceptable form according to the directions given by the Geography and Planning Department.
PLN 695
MASTER’S THESIS
6, 0/0
