Courses
Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.
- Offered: Contact department for information.
- Prerequisites: GC 330.
- Offered: Contact department
- Prerequisites: Completion of MA 100 or above (or placement into MA 109 or above).
An examination of our energy system, its development, and its future. Topics include: the foundational science concepts of energy and power; the use of energy in modern society; the technologies, resource availability, and environmental and social impacts of fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources; the policy and economics surrounding energy use; and options for a sustainable energy system.
- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: Admission to the methods phase of teacher education.
Strategies, methods, materials and media that can be used to improve the teaching-learning process of geography in grades seven through 12.
Notes: May not be applied toward a non-teaching major or any minor in the Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department. Can be applied to the secondary education geography minor if required.- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: EN 211 and sophomore standing.
Population Geography enables students to explain issues and themes related to the patterns, processes, and consequences of the spatial distribution of people on Planet Earth. Students will analyze challenges associated with the geographic distribution of populations at the global, national, regional, and local scales, and they will learn the fundamental components of population change, fertility, mortality, and migration. Students will also apply methods and tools geographers use in their research and practice.
- Offered: Contact department
- Prerequisites: GC 101 or BI 210 or GC 100 and GC 225.
Acquire practical knowledge of wetland ecosystems from around the world by examining their biogeochemical and societal properties. Wetlands is designed to provide students with professional skills and an applied understanding of wetland hydrology, soils, vegetation, management, restoration, and regulation.
- Offered: Contact department for information.
- Prerequisites: GC 255.
Examination of the techniques used by geologists in interpreting earth history. Particular attention is given to the physiographic provinces of the United States with emphasis on the Canadian Shield and interior plains and plateaus.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Contact department for information.
- Prerequisites: GC 225; and GC 100 or GC 255 or instructor's permission.
The study of earth surface processes and landforms. Surface features created by streams, glaciers, shorelines, groundwater and wind will be studied. Topographic maps, aerial photographs, the Atlas of Landforms and satellite imagery will be used in labs. Field trips are part of the course.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Contact department for information.
- Prerequisites: GC 225 and GC 255.
Students will travel to many sites of geologic importance to collect samples and data, and interpret the geologic history through their observations. Techniques for collection and interpretation of geologic information, and the presentation of that information in the form of geologic maps and reports, are included.
Notes: Formerly GC 260. Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: GC 100, MA 111 or higher, or instructor's permission.
Advanced examination of atmospheric processes including energy transfer and exchange, global atmospheric circulation, precipitation processes and forms, weather disturbances and upper-level processes. Also explores global climatic systems, climate change and paleoclimatology, and the impact of human activities on climate.
- Offered: Contact department for information
- Offered: Fall, Odd Years
- Prerequisites: GC 100, BI 111 or BI 112, and junior standing.
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of biogeography. Biogeographers are primarily interested in answering questions like “why do organisms live where they do?” and “what are the spatial patterns by which organisms are distributed?” Students will be able to explain, analyze, and interpret vegetation–environment relationships, vegetation dynamics, disturbance ecology, human impacts on plants and animals, dispersal, extinction, and conservation through discussions and readings and then apply their knowledge in field-based lab exercises.
Field work is required during scheduled lab time.
- Offered: Winter
Students will examine and explain foundations of relational databases, familiarity with and fundamentals of Structured Query Language (SQL) databases, and general database operations, and apply their skills using industry-standard software. Students will develop proficiency developing and managing both spatial databases and non-spatial databases.
- Offered: Contact department for information.
The course examines how race, class, and gender have influenced environmental decision-making, and explores how groups of people that have been disproportionately affected by environmental problems have organized to address those issues. We examine how laws and policies contributed to environmental injustice, and how have they been used to achieve environmental and social equality. Students develop deeper understandings of the history of the environmental justice movement, contemporary environmental justice issues, and directions forward for the field.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: GC 225, BI 412 or DATA 109 or GC 235, and junior standing.
This course introduces fundamental remote sensing topics essential for monitoring the Earth’s resources and characterizing environmental problems. We examine the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, and the platforms used to observe the Earth system. Students will be able to explain and apply digital image processing techniques and their theoretical underpinnings in the context of aerial images, satellite images, LIDAR, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ground-penetrating radar and make appropriate interpretations.
Notes:Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: GC 335 or GC 425.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrates data from social and environmental disciplines and offers powerful platforms for data analysis from a spatial vantage point. Students will examine the analytical capabilities of GIS and build their technical experience. Students will work through multiple hands-on exercises using ESRI ArcGIS Pro to develop proficiency with spatial data analysis techniques such as data assembly, interpolation, proximity analysis, and overlay analysis.
- Offered: Fall, Even Years
- Prerequisites: GC 100 or BI 112, and GC 335, or instructor permission.
This course introduces students to fundamental topics in landscape ecology, the field concerned with the analysis of the relationship between ecological processes and spatial patterns on the Earth’s surface at landscape scales. Students will become proficient with key concepts, methods of analysis, and their importance in land management and conservation. Students will use analysis operations and their theoretical underpinnings to explore pattern-process relationships relating to vegetation, climate, habitat fragmentation, fire, and invasive species.
- Offered: Contact department for information.
- Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor's permission.
- Offered: Every other year.
This course explores gender and the environment from an intersectional perspective. Through case studies ranging from the local to the global scale, we will discuss power, politics, identities, inequalities, social movements and ecological crises. This interdisciplinary course is for environmentalists, feminists, and any student curious about the interconnections between global environmental change and gender relations.
Notes:Cross-listed as GN 444.
- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: GC 100 or GC 255, MA 111 or MA 115 or higher, GC 225, EN 211, and junior standing or instructor's permission.
Study of the hydrologic cycle. Precipitation, runoff, interception and groundwater processes are addressed. Measurement techniques and analytical methods are also presented. Informed decision making with regard to the water cycle is stressed. Some field work required.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Contact the department for information
- Prerequisites: GC 101 and GC 205.
This course investigates the development and growth of environmental ethics. Various philosophical perspectives are discussed and analyzed in relation to understanding and resolving environmental and ecological controversies. Students develop their own individual ethical perspective and understanding of the environment.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Contact department for information
- Prerequisites: GC 205 or BI 310 and senior standing or instructor's permission. GC 320 recommended.
A field-based course in which students develop and write an environmental site assessment for a local property and an environmental impact assessment for a local project. Involves the laws, regulations and policies governing environmental decisions, especially the requirements mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act.
Notes:Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Contact department for information.
- Prerequisites: GC 205 and GC 235, and junior standing.
Earth Systems Interactions focuses on research-oriented skills applicable to many physical and natural science careers. The course is designed to provide students with an applied understanding of research theory, a working knowledge of analysis and data visualization techniques, and an ability to interpret complex earth systems science data. GC 482 integrates a variety of professional skills required to conduct scientific investigations as an/a earth, environmental, geographical, or biological scientist.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Contact department for information.
- Prerequisites: GC 205, GC 330, GC 335, GC 340 and senior standing or instructor's permission.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: GC 205, GC 235, GC335 and 24 GC credit hours, junior standing or instructor’s permission.
Integrates techniques from earth and environmental science to provide capstone research experience. Incorporates relevant scientific approaches, emphasizes interdisciplinary connections, demonstrates quantitative methods and tools, promotes communication, and teaches professional skills relevant for earth or environmental scientists.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: GC 205, GC 235 and 24 GC credit hours, junior standing or instructor's permission.
Examines historical and contemporary roles of humans as a major agent of environmental change on Earth. Enables graduating students to combine academic interests, skills and experiences into a capstone project that is presented orally and in writing.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.