Geography Program
The Program in Geography offers three types of courses to students who seek a knowledge of the physical earth and its various modes of human occupance. Introductory courses develop global perspectives on environments that are relevant to many social and physical science fields. Courses in regional geography present a unique way of understanding how nature and culture have interacted over time to give character to specific places or regions. Advanced courses focus on the concepts and techniques of professional geography, especially on the construction of maps and on the uses of maps in solving geographical problems.
Programs of study may lead to a major or a minor in geography. In addition to the following requirements, students majoring in geography also must complete a major in a related social or natural science field.
Program courses: Geography B10 or Environmental Sciences B35; Geography C41; and four additional geography courses, at least three of which must be at the C level, including 1 unit of research (C98 or C99)
Related courses: Mathematics B14-1,2; Economics B01, B02; Statistics B10 or equivalent.
The minor in geography supplements the academic programs of students who major in related social and natural sciences by training them in the theory and method of geographical analysis. In addition to the courses listed below, students choosing to minor in geography must complete Mathematics B14-1,2 or equivalent.
Minor course requirements (7 units)
- Statistics B10
- Geography B10 or Environmental Sciences B35
- Geography C41
- Four additional courses, at least three at the C level;one may be taken in a department or program other than geography on the recommendation of the geography program adviser
- 421-B10-0 The Natural Environment
Introduction to the physical elements of geography. Major local and global atmospheric processes producing weather and climate. Study of the earth-shaping forces that give rise to the geography of landform features.
- 421-B11-0 World Biogeography
Geography of the world's major ecosystems based on the global climate model. Physical processes of soil formation and vegetation development in various ecosystems. Human impacts on natural systems resulting from past and present land-use practices.
- 421-C13-0 North America
Detailed study of the regional geography of the United States and Canada. The regional distribution of landform types. Patterns of culture, history, and economic development that underlie the distribution of distinctive lifeways in the two countries.
- 421-C28-0 The Human Use of the Earth
Geography of the earth's natural environments as modified by human agency. Natural versus anthropogenic environmental change. Processes of habitat alteration in hunter-gatherer societies. Impacts of modern agriculture and forestry.
- 421-C41-0 Principles of Cartography
Design, construction, and use of thematic maps for effective presentation of spatial data. Typography and symbolization. Coordinate systems and map projections. Prerequisite: Mathematics B14-1.
- 421-C42-0 Map Production Techniques
Advanced techniques for constructing publication-quality maps. Compilation from multiple sources, scribing, and neg-ative construction. Photographic methods, peel coats. Prerequisite: C41.
- 421-C43-0 Geographic Information Systems
Methods and techniques of digital cartography; encoding and analysis of spatial information; applications to archaeology, environmental sciences, and business geographics. Prerequisite: C41.
- 421-C98-0 Undergraduate Seminar
Advanced work through readings, research, and discussion. Open only to undergraduate majors. Prerequisite: consent of department.
- 421-C99-0 Independent Study
Independent research projects. Open to qualified advanced students by consent of department.
nu-registrar@northwestern.edu, (847) 491-5234
Office of the Registrar,
Northwestern University
Last Updated: August 26, 1997