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Geography at
NMU
The
Geography Department offers a variety of programs in human
geography, earth science, physical geography, geographic information
science, planning, environmental conservation, and education, along
with a certificate program in geographic information systems (GIS).
It is committed to excellence in teaching and preparing students for
graduate study, professional careers in teaching, governmental
service and the private sector. Since geography is an integrative
discipline, all students, whether interested in its human or
physical aspects, must have a basic understanding of the scope of
the discipline and its methodologies. This is reflected in the
department’s core curriculum which all students are required to
take; it consists of courses in human and physical geography, three
methods classes and a capstone course that integrates the human and
physical aspects of the discipline by focusing on the interactions
between humankind and the natural environment. The department
contributes to the liberal education mission of the university by
offering courses in the areas of social science, natural
science/mathematics and world cultures. Geography majors have the
opportunity to gain practical work experience through internships
with local governmental agencies and the private sector.
Geography Bachelor Degree Programs
Earth Science
The earth
science program provides students with a thorough knowledge of
Earth’s physical environment including its geology, weather and
climate, astronomical relationships, and hydrology.
Environmental Conservation
The
environmental conservation major provides students with an
introduction to quantitative and qualitative methods of assessing
and analyzing humankind’s impact upon the environment.
Geographic
Information Science
The
geographic information science major provides students with
knowledge and skills related to information technology, spatial data
management, analysis and visualization.
Human
Geography
The human
geography major allows students to specialize in different
systematic branches of the discipline such as urban, economic,
political and regional geography.
Physical
Geography
The
physical geography major is designed to provide students with a
thorough knowledge of the Earth’s physical environment including its
climate, soil, vegetation, landforms and geology.
Planning
This
program applies the planning process to land use decision making in
small towns and rural areas. Students are provided with a solid
background in the tools and techniques of planning and given the
opportunity to gain practical work experience by working on local
planning issues.
Secondary Education Earth Science
Secondary Education Geography
The
Geography Department provides majors for students desiring
certification as secondary school teachers. Advising for the
secondary education geography major is provided by the Geography
Department. Advising for the secondary education earth science major
is provided by faculty in the Glenn T. Seaborg Center for Teaching
and Learning Science and Mathematics.
Certificate Program
Geographic Information Systems
Certificate
The GIS
certificate program is designed to provide students with the
practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to enter the
rapidly expanding field of geographic information science.
Department/Program Policies
As a
requirement for graduation, all non-teaching geography department
majors must have a minimum grade of "C" and a minimum cumulative
grade point average of 2.25 for all courses constituting the major
curriculum. Students majoring in secondary education earth science,
secondary education geography or minoring in geography education or
earth science education must maintain a grade point average of 2.70
or greater with no grade below a "C" in the professional education
sequence, the major and/or minors and required cognates combined.
Students
in the geographic information system certificate must have a minimum
grade of "B" in all courses in the technical concentration.
Students
in the geographic information systems minor must earn a grade of "B"
in all classes.
Students
majoring in programs in the department must also do the following:
1.
Successfully complete EN 211 and pass the NMU writing proficiency
exam before taking 300 level courses or above in the major.
2.
Complete AIS 101 if required during the freshman year or within
the first year of transferring to a major in the department.
3. Satisfy
the prerequisites for each major course enrolled in as described
in this bulletin.
Note: Petition for exception to any of the
program policies must be made in writing and submitted to the
Geography Department. The petition must include reasons why an
exception should be made and provide documentation of those reasons,
if applicable. |
