George Mason University 1997-98 Catalog Catalog Index
Course Descriptions

Search the 1997-1998 Catalog:

Geography and Earth Systems Science


Faculty

Professors: Fonseca, Haack, K. Haynes (Director, The Institute of Public Policy), Hazen (Robinson Professor), Stough, Wood

Associate Professors: Andrews (Emerita), Diecchio (Chair)

Assistant Professors: Beach, Crampton, Macfarlane, McBride, Wong

Visiting Assistant Professors: Albert, Mars, Nord

Affiliate Professor: Shipley

Adjunct Professors: Cronin, DeCola, Dowsett, F. Doyle, L. Edwards, H. Harris, J. Haynes, Ishman, E. Johnson, L. Johnson, Kress, Mars, J. McDougall, Neiheisel, Spinrad, A. Walker, Wheeler, Zinn, Zlatic

Adjunct Lecturers: Couture, DiGuiseppi, Dillon, Dorrigan, E. Doyle, Hirsch, Hunter, Lindemann, Mayers, Messina, P. Mobley, Rennick, Rhodes, Robinson, Scurfield, Stephenson

Lab Manager: Villiger

Course Work

This department offers all course work designated GEOG, GEOL, and USST in the Course Descriptions section of the catalog.

PAGE Program

The general education requirements (with the exception of foreign language) for the B.A. and B.S. degrees are satisfied by successful completion of the Plan for Alternative General Education (PAGE). See PAGE category in this catalog. See the PAGE office for sample schedules for majors in geography, geology, and earth systems science. PAGE courses will not be available after May 1998.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in Geography may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GEOG 415. Students majoring in Geology or Earth Systems Science will fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GEOL 303. Students who do not take GEOL 303 must arrange with their advisers for a suitable alternative writing-intensive course.


Undergraduate Programs in Geography

B.A. Degree with a Major in Geography

In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. degree, candidates must complete the following:

  1. 28 hours in geography, including

    1. 16 hours of GEOG 102, 103, 300, 310, and 415; and

    2. 12 additional hours of systematic or regional courses at the 300 level or above.

  2. An approved double major, disciplinary minor, inter- disciplinary minor, or certificate; or any other coherent 18-hour or greater package of courses approved by an adviser and the department chair. No more than seven hours of course work used to meet the requirement in A may be used to meet the requirement in B.

    Examples: Minor in Biology, Geology, History, or Sociology; interdisciplinary minor in Global Systems, Urban and Suburban Studies, or Women's Studies; certificate in Applied Archaeology, Geographical Applications, or Environmental Management.


B.S. Degree with a Major in Geography

  1. 28 hours in geography, including

    1. 16 hours of GEOG 102, 103, 300, 310, and 415; and

    2. 12 additional hours of systematic or regional courses at the 300 level or above.

  2. Minimum 18-hour sequence of geographical applications courses, including GEOG 411, 412, 416 or 579, 553, and 6 additional hours of electives, which may include an internship (GEOG 480), approved by the program advisor prior to enrollment.

  3. Up to 25 hours of required science, mathematics, statistics, and computer science courses including:

    1. GEOL 101, 102, 317 or BIOL 103, 104, 377 (11)

    2. MATH 113, 114 (8)

    3. STAT 250 (3)

    4. CS 103 (3)

    Other recommended courses:
    GEOG 203; MATH 203; STAT 350; CS 112, 211; USE 210, 300


Minor in Geography

The minor in geography consists of 18 semester hours of credit in geography, including

  1. GEOG 101 or 103 and GEOG 102; and

  2. Four upper-level courses, including one systematic course (such as GEOG 301, 303, 304, 305, 306, or 309) and one regional course (such as GEOG 315, 316, 320, 325, 330, or 380).

Certificate in Geographical Applications

The Certificate in Geographical Applications consists of 25 hours, including the following:

  1. GEOG/GECA 300, 310, 411, 412, 416 or 579, 553

  2. Six additional hours of electives, which may include GEOG 480, approved by the program adviser prior to enrollment.


Undergraduate Program in Earth Systems Science

Students pursuing a degree in Earth Systems Science receive broad training in physical science and the natural science of Earth's systems. Students must select a specialty track to which they apply this science background.

B.S. Degree with a Major in Earth Systems Science

In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, candidates are required to submit the following:

  1. Core science including MATH 113, 114; CHEM 211, 212; PHYS 250, 350, 351 or PHYS 343, 344, 345, 346; GEOL 101, 102; BIOL 103, 104 or BIOL 213, 303, 304; BIOL/GEOL 309; GEOG 203, 309; BIOL 377

  2. One of the following required specialty tracks:

    * Grade of C or better in GEOL 302 is required before taking GEOL 304 or 308.


Minimum Course Requirements for B.S. in Earth Systems Science
Core science (see above) 52-57
Specialty track (see above) 20-23
ENGL 101, 302 6
Literature (at the 200-400 level) 6
Electives outside natural science and math 6
Special electives from anthropology, economics, geography, government, history, linguistics, psychology, and sociology6
General electives 14-25
Total Hours 120


Sample Schedule for B.S. in Earth Systems Science
First Semester
ENGL 101
GEOL 101
MATH 113
GEOG 102
Total Hours


3
4
4
3
14

 Second Semester
Literature
GEOL 102
MATH 114
CAS elective
Total Hours


3
4
4
3
14
Third Semester
CHEM 211
BIOL 103
Literature
CAS elective
Total Hours


4
4
3
3
14

 Fourth Semester
CHEM 212
BIOL 104
CAS elective
General elective
Total Hours


4
4
3
3
14
Fifth Semester
PHYS 343, 344
BIOL/GEOL 309
General elective
Track requirement
ENGL 302
Total Hours


4
3
3
4
3
17

 Sixth Semester
PHYS 345, 346
GEOG 309
Track requirements
General elective

Total Hours


4
3
6
3

16
Seventh Semester
GEOG 203
CAS elective
Track requirement
General electives
Total Hours


3
3
4
6
16

 Eighth Semester
BIOL 377
CAS elective
Track requirements
General electives
Total Hours


3
7
6

16


Undergraduate Program in Geology

B.A. Degree with a Major in Geology

In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. degree, candidates are required to submit the following:

  1. 30 hours including GEOG 203, GEOL 101, 102, 301, 302, 303, 304*, 308*, 317 (Field camp is recommended and may be substituted for GEOG 203 and GEOL 303.)

  2. MATH 110, 111, or 113

  3. CHEM 211 and 212

  4. GEOL 316 or a computer science course

  5. Specialty track: 12 hours of degree-related course work in a coherent program designed in coordination with an adviser and approved by the department chair

* A grade of C or better in GEOL 302 is required before taking GEOL 304 or 308.

Minimum Requirements for the B.A. in Geology
Geology/Geography 33
Specialty track 12
MATH 110, 111, or 113 3
CHEM 211 and 212 8
GEOL 316 or computer science 3
ENGL 101, 302 6
COMM 100, 101, 102 3
Foreign language 0-12
Humanities 12
Social science 12
Non-Western culture 6
General electives 10
Total 120


Sample Schedule for B.A. in Geology
First Semester
ENGL 101
Literature
MATH
Foreign language
Non-Western culture
Total Hours


3
3
3
3
3
15

 Second Semester
Literature
Social science
Communication
Foreign language
General elective
Total Hours


3
3
3
3
3
15
Third Semester
GEOL 101
CHEM 211
Foreign language
General elective
Total Hours


4
4
3
3
14

 Fourth Semester
GEOL 102
CHEM 212
Foreign language
Social science
Total Hours


4
4
3
3
14
Fifth Semester
ENGL 302
GEOL 302
GEOL 317
Non-Western culture
Track elective
Total Hours


3
4
4
3
3
17

 Sixth Semester
GEOL 308
GEOL 304
GEOG 203
Computer science
Track elective
Total Hours


4
4
3
3
3
17
Seventh Semester
GEOL 303
Track elective
Social science
Philosophy/Religion
General elective
Total Hours


3
3
3
3
3
15

 Eighth Semester
GEOL 301
Track elective
Social science
Fine arts

Total Hours


4
3
3
3

13


Minor in Geology

A minor in geology requires 18 semester credit hours including GEOL 101, 102, and 302, plus two of the following courses: GEOL 202, 301, 303 (prerequisite GEOG 203), 304*, 308*, 309, 313, 317, 403, or 417. * A grade of C or better in GEOL 302 is required before taking GEOL 304 or 308.

Minor in Urban and Suburban Studies

The minor in urban and suburban studies requires a minimum of 18 hours of related course work, including two required courses, USST 301 and 401. See University Programs section of this catalog for more information.

Teacher Licensure (Certification)

Students interested in becoming elementary, middle, or secondary school teachers should consult the requirements for teacher licensure (certification) listed in this catalog under Graduate School of Education.


Graduate Program in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences

Geographic and Cartographic Sciences, M.S.

The Master of Science in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences is offered by the Department of Geography and Earth Systems Science. The program provides courses for students interested in the techniques of collection, analysis, and display of spatial data. Students may prepare for further study or for careers in geography and cartography with federal agencies, state and local government agencies, private corporations, and educational institutions.

Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting all admission requirements for graduate study, students should have a bachelor's degree in geography, cartography, or equivalent. An applicant without an undergraduate degree in geography or cartography may be required to take one course in each of the following: physical geography, human geography, regional geography, and cartography. All applicants must have a course in statistics. The program also requires GRE aptitude scores, three letters of recommendation, transcripts of all college course work, and a statement of interest in geography.

Degree Requirements
In general, students must complete a program consisting of four required core courses and a number of optional electives that are selected in consultation with an adviser. The required core courses are:

In addition to these core courses, students select from a number of GEOG courses to complete their programs. With departmental approval, up to nine hours of course work from closely related disciplines may also be applied to the degree.

A thesis is optional. Students may complete a 30-hour program that includes 3-6 hours of thesis, or they may complete a 36-hour program without a thesis. If the non-thesis option is selected, students are required to pass a comprehensive exam.


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