University of Calgary : Geography GEOG

Geography GEOG

GEOG 603 605 607 619 633 639 647 649 667 681 683 685 689 691 695 699 795 797 799

Instruction offered by members of the Department of Geography in the Faculty of Arts.

Department Head – B. Moorman

All students interested in taking Geography courses, Geography Majors and Graduate Students, should read the pertinent Undergraduate and Graduate program sections of the Calendar.

Graduate Courses

Geography 603

Remote Sensing: Basics and Beyond

Introduction to the theory and practice of remote sensing. Topics include physics of remote sensing, sensor systems, resolutions, geometric and radiometric correction, image analysis (enhancements, filtering, texture analysis, principal components, classification approaches and algorithms and accuracy). May include specific image acquisition systems and their methodological requirements. Emphasis is on fundamental concepts. Laboratory provides experience with fundamental image processing techniques.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for both Geography 603 and 699.33 will not be allowed.

Geography 605

Statistical Analysis: Basics and Beyond

Introduction to applied statistics, particularly as they are used in geographical analysis. Topics include sampling design, summary statistics, probability theory, inferential statistics, and multivariate analysis. Laboratory exercises give students hands-on experience in computer-based statistical analysis.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for both Geography 605 and 699.39 will not be allowed.

Geography 607

Geographic Information Systems: Basics and Beyond

Introduction to the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Includes: representing reality in the digital realm, georeferencing, data structures, software history and comparison, and the full spectrum of analytical approaches associated with advanced GIS software. A major part of the work will be hands on. Software is used as a vehicle for taking the theory and concepts into a working reality.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for both Geography 607 and 699.47 will not be allowed.

Geography 619

Spatial Ecology

Applies the principles of landscape ecology and conservation biology to the study of spatial effects on individual species and on the structure, dynamics, diversity and stability of multi-species communities. The use of GIS and remote sensing technologies is a central theme. Topics include habitat fragmentation, metapopulation analysis and viability, wildlife habitat modelling (static and dynamic), management of endangered species, and spatial decision support. Other aspects of this course include the importance and use of indicator, umbrella, keystone and flagship species in conservation.
Course Hours: H(3-2)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Antirequisite(s): Not open to students with credit in Geography 695.11.

Geography 633

Research and Applications in Remote Sensing

Review of basic and advanced principles of image analysis; advanced laboratory techniques. Integration of remote sensing with GIS; current research in remote sensing. Project organization; data sources for remote sensing.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Geography 635

Active Microwave Remote Sensing

Theoretical and applied aspects of active microwave remote sensing for geophysical parameter estimation. Discussion of sensor configuration, dielectric mixture modelling, microwave-surface interactions, microwave scattering (surface and volume) modelling and polarimetry. Laboratory work includes field scatterometer use, computer modelling, and polarimetric analysis.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for both Geography 635 and 699.35 will not be allowed.

Geography 639

Advanced Spatial Analysis and Modelling

History of spatial modelling in geography; comprehensive coverages of techniques, spatial analysis and spatial modelling as currently used within GIS and remote sensing.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Geography 647

Advanced Research and Applications in Geographic Information Systems

Focus on advanced GIS applications in core areas; methodological developments in GIS, and current research directions in GIS.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Geography 649

Enterprise GIS and Database Management Systems

Advanced topics in GIS and database systems, including integration of enterprise database systems with a GIS, data modelling, database management, distributed GIS via the world wide web, and web-based GIS.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Geography 647 or consent of the Department.

Geography 667

Advanced GIS Programming with ArcObjects

Advanced programming techniques in ArcGIS using the ArcObjects framework. Topics include customizing the user interface, COM and interface-based programming techniques, and creating macros to perform advanced tasks in ArcGIS. A significant portion of evaluation will be based on an independent term project. Completion of a pre-study package is required.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Geography 681

Geographic Information Systems Project: Theoretical Issues

A critical and comprehensive review of information and literature on a GIS research topic This course provides the conceptual basis for Geography 683.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Geography 633, 639 and 647 and consent of the Department.

Geography 683

Geographic Information Systems Project: Application

Implementation of a project on a GIS topic which will involve demonstrating mastery of GIS project design and the implementation and presentation of results commensurate with graduate level work. This topic will relate to material covered by the student in Geography 681.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Geography 681 and consent of the Department.

Geography 685

Arctic System Science

This course investigates the process linkages at various spatiotemporal scales between the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere operating within high latitude environments of the Northern Hemisphere. Of particular interest is the response of the terrestrial and marine cryosphere to climate variability and change, including methods for its detection and quantification.
Course Hours: H(3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Geography 687

Advanced Glacial Geomorphic Systems

Contemporary topics in glacial geomorphology and sedimentology. Course consists of lecture, seminar and field trip components.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Geography 689

Advanced Topics in Geocryology

Contemporary topics in the science and engineering of seasonally and perennially frozen ground. Course consists of lectures and seminars.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Geography 691

Advanced Fluvial Geomorphology

Advanced theory and research issues in fluvial geomorphology. Topics may include flow hydraulics, sediment transport, river morphology, channel networks, sediment routing, drainage basin evolution, and channel response to environmental change.
Course Hours: H(3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.

Geography 695

Seminar in Geographic Research Methods