DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY

1997-1998 Bulletin Information

For current bulletin information see www.southalabama.edu/bulletin


Chair: Glenn R. Sebastian (460-6381)

Professors: Dilsaver, Isphording, Lamb (Emeritus) Associate Professors: Clark, Rivizzigno, Ryder, Sebastian, Williams, Haywick

Assistant Professors: Allison, Blackwell, Fearn

Instructor: Davis
Adjunct Professor: Mueller, Sheldon

Geology is the study of the earth, its composition, and the forces that form and change it. As such, it encompasses a broad spectrum of studies and draws largely from the other basic sciences: chemistry, physics, and biology.

Geography is the study of the location, spatial arrangement, and spatial interaction of the earth's physical and human environments. Special attention is given to meteorology, climatology, conservation, cultural geography, historical geography, and urban geography. A concentration in meteorology is offered in the geography program.


The programs of the Department of Geology and Geography are designed to give the non-major a background in earth science and the human impact on the landscape as part of a general education.


A student may receive a major or minor in either geology or geography. Alternatively, a student may receive a major in geography with a concentration in meteorology.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN GEOLOGY
Students should complete a minimum of 55 quarter hours in geology. The core requirements for a degree in Geology are listed below.

Core requirements for a geology major
GY 101 Earth Materials
GY 102 Earth Processes
GY 103 Earth History
GY 231 Crystallography
GY 232 Mineralogy
GY 233 Petrology
GY 323/340 Stratigraphy/Sedimentation
GY 360 Structural Geology I
GY 361 Structural Geology II
GY 371 Invertebrate Paleontology
GY 372 Invertebrate Paleontology
6 hours of geology electives

Additional requirements from other departments
CH 114 General Chemistry
CH 115 General Chemistry
PH 111 General Physics
PH 112 General Physics

Mathematics through beginning calculus.
Hours
4
4
4
5
5
4
5
5
5
4
4
6
55

The Mathematics requirement may be satisfied by any of the following programs: MA 120, 121, 131, 132. Students who qualify to take calculus without maximum prerequisites should add courses to chemistry or physics or should take the eighteen-hour Technical Physics course instead of General Physics. Other science courses may be substituted if sufficient cause exists. Courses in statistics and computer science are strongly recommended for all geology majors.

A program in related sciences has been approved as an acceptable minor for geology majors; however, it is recommended that the student seek a traditional minor. The completion of this program includes: Biology 101 and 102 or Biology 141 and 142; Physics 111 and 112; Chemistry 114 and 115; mathematics through MA 132. Students seeking a minor in related sciences should be aware of the University requirement that all students must complete 48 resident hours in 300/400 level courses.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN GEOLOGY
A minimum of 27 quarter hours of Geology, including GY 101, GY 102, and GY 103.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN GEOGRAPHY
A student with a major in geography must take a group of required geography courses and elective geography courses for a total of 60 hours. Students must select three courses from physical geography and three courses from human geography. Geography 111 is prerequisite to all other physical geography courses and Geography 114 is prerequisite to all other human geography courses as listed below. Geography majors must also take Statistics 175 and 275, Geology 102 or 412, and CIS 150.

Core requirements for a geography major:
GEO 111 Introduction to Physical Geography
GEO 113 World Regional Geography (Variable Topic)
GEO 114 Introduction to Human Geography
GEO 230 Map and Aerial Photo Interpretation
GEO 232 Cartography
GEO 332 Introduction to Remote Sensing
GEO 335 Quantitative Methods in Geography
GEO 380 Field Work in Geography
GEO 490 Special Topics or
GEO 492 Seminar

Physical Geography Courses -
Majors select three courses
GEO 241 Meteorology
GEO 311 Conservation
GEO 341 Climatology
GEO 342 Severe Weather
GEO 412 Geomorphology
GEO 441 Coastal Climatology
Human Geography Courses -
Majors select three courses
GEO 270 Geography of Tourism
GEO 312 Economic Geography
GEO 351 Cultural Geography
GEO 365 Urban Geography
GEO 371 Historical Geography
GEO 465 Urban Planning and the Environment
Hours
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

4
36

12







12

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN GEOGRAPHY: METEOROLOGY CONCENTRATION
A student with a major in geography and a concentration in meteorology must take a group of required meteorology, geography, and geography elective courses totaling 64 hours. Meteorology students must take 8 hours of geography electives from one of the following specialty areas: Urban-Economic (GEO 312, 365), Historical-Cultural (GEO 351, 371), or Resource Geography (GEO 270, 311). The meteorology concentration also requires MA 131, 132, 233, 234, 331, 215, 316; PH 215, 216, 217; ST 315 and CIS 150. Students may specialize in industrial meteorology by taking the required meteorology and geography courses and the Industrial Meteorology Track.

Required Meteorology Courses:
GEO 341 Climatology
GEO 343 General Meteorology
GEO 344 Dynamic Meteorology I
GEO 345 Dynamic Meteorology II
GEO 346 Physical Meteorology
GEO 444 Synoptic Meteorology I
GEO 445 Synoptic Meteorology II

Required Geography Courses:
GEO 111 Introduction to Geography
GEO 114 Introduction to Human Geography
GEO 230 Map and Aerial Photo Interpretation
GEO 332 Remote Sensing
GEO Electives

Industrial Meteorology Track Hours:

MGT 322 Management Theory & Practice
MKT 371 Principles of Marketing
GEO 492 Seminar: Industrial Meteorology
GY 475 Hydrology
Hours
4
4
4
4
4
9
9
38

4
4
4
4
8
24

4
4
2
5
15

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN GEOGRAPHY
A student must take 32 hours of Geography, including 111, 114, 230, and a minimum of 16 hours above the 100 level.

GRADUATE STUDIES
Although the Department of Geology and Geography has no graduate degree program, courses are offered at the graduate level for students enrolled in Marine Sciences and others who need such course work. Contact the Department.

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL GEOLOGY (GY) COURSES BEGIN ON PAGE 243. DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL GEOGRAPHY (GEO) COURSES BEGIN ON PAGE 241
.

College of Arts and Sciences