Students
minoring in Geography must complete a minimum of 21 units. Six units
will be at the 100 level (physical geography and either GEOG 102, 105,
or 109/110) with the remainder at the 200-400 level. A maximum of 6 units may be taken at the
200 level and all course selections must be made in consultation with a
faculty advisor. A grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher is required in all
courses in the minor.
Introductory Courses (6 units)
GEOG 101 Physical Geography (3)
GEOG 102 World Regional (3) OR
GEOG 105 Geography of International Affairs (3) OR
GEOG 109 Human Geography (3)
Electives (15 units)
GEOG 221 Interpretation of Maps (3)
GEOG 223 Physical Geography Applications (3)
GEOG 232 Introduction to GIS (4)
GEOG 251 Introduction to Planning (3)
GEOG 315 Geomorphology (4)
GEOG 317 Energy Resources (3)
GEOG 319 Soils and Vegetation (3)
GEOG 321 Interpretation of Aerial Photographs (3)
GEOG 323 Cartography and Graphics I (3)
GEOG 324 Cartography and Graphics II (3)
GEOG 329 Medical Geography (3)
GEOG 355 Historical Geography of Urbanization (3)
GEOG 356 Geography of Crime (3)
GEOG 357 Cultural Geography (3)
GEOG 359 Economic Geography (3)
GEOG 373 Climatology (3)
GEOG 375 Qunatitative Methods in Geography (3)
GEOG 377 Descriptive Meteorology (3)
GEOG 381 Political Geography (3)
GEOG 383 Natural Resources and Society (3)
GEOG 385 Population Geography (3)
GEOG 391 Urban Systems (3)
GEOG 393 Transportation and Infrastructure Planning (3)
GEOG 401 Growth of Geographic Thought (3)
GEOG 405 Comprehensive Planning (3)
GEOG 407 Geography of the Aged (3)
GEOG 409 Applied Climatology (3)
GEOG 410 Environmental Geography (3)
GEOG 411 Studies in Natural Hazards (3)
GEOG 414 GIS Applications (3)
GEOG 415 Geographical Aspects of Pollution (3)
GEOG 416 Remote Sensing (3)
GEOG 417 Outdoor Recreation and Planning Management (3)
GEOG 420 Geography of Anglo America (3)
GEOG 423 Geography of Maryland (3)
GEOG 424 Historical Geography of Atlantic Canada (3)
GEOG 427 The Global Economy (3)
GEOG 431 Geography of Africa (3)
GEOG 443 Geography of East Asia (3)
GEOG 445 Geography of South and Southeast Asia (3)
GEOG 447 Geography of the Middle East (3)
GEOG 448 Conflict in Ireland (3)
GEOG 451 Geography of Europe (3)
GEOG 453 Geography of the former U.S.S.R. (3)
GEOG 461 Geography of Latin America (3)
GEOG 462 The Two Down Unders (3)
GEOG 463 The Silk Road (3)
GEOG 481 Environmental Impact Analysis (3)
GEOG 484 Land Use Planning (3)
Geographic Information Sciences (GISciences) is an integrative,
skills-based discipline that facilitates observation and analysis at
global scales, employing a spatial perspective that is useful to many
disciplines. The minor in GISciences provides students with basic
professional skills for conducting spatial analysis, combining
conceptual frameworks with technical proficiencies in tools such as
geographic information systems, remote sensing, global positioning
systems, cartography, and spatial statistics. The minor works well with
a variety of majors from the College of Business and Economics, the
College of Health Professions, the College of Liberal Arts, and the
College of Science and Mathematics. GISciences is a growing field and
Towson University is recognized as a GISciences leader in Maryland.
Students graduating with GISciences skills are in demand by employers,
due to the large number of academic, private, government, and nonprofit
organizations that are creating or expanding their GIS capabilities. The
minor is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 21 units of required
and elective courses. A maximum of 6 units from other departments may be
counted toward the minor, with the approval of the program director.
Students are strongly encouraged to complete a GIS internship with a
government agency or business.
Required Courses
(13 units)
GEOG 221
Interpretation of Maps (3) OR
GEOG 230
Understanding and Communicating through Maps (3)
GEOG 232 Introduction to GIS (4)
GEOG 323
Cartography and Graphics I (3) OR
GEOG 418
Computer Mapping (3)
GEOG 375
Quantitative Methods in Geography (3) or approved statistics course
Electives (9
units)
GEOG 321
Interpretation of Aerial Photographs (3)
GEOG 414
GIS Applications (Spatial Analysis and Geographic Information Systems)
(3)
GEOG 416
Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing (3)
GEOG
470-9 Seminar: Selected Topics (in GIS) (3)
GEOG 491
Internship (1-6; 3 maximum toward minor)
GEOG 495
Directed Readings in Geography (GIS topics) (3)
GEOG 496
Independent Study in Geography (GIS topics) (3)
Other
lower- and upper-division computer science courses, as well as GIS
applications courses offered by other departments may be considered as
electives, with the approval of the department chair.
MINOR IN METEOROLOGY
Students minoring in meteorology will be provided with an introduction to atmospheric principles and meteorological phenomena such as heat waves, drought, hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. It is suitable for students who wish to be informed about this field and might pursue careers in which a background in meteorology is relevant or important, such as environmental policy, mass communication, government, and industry. Students should note that the minor in meteorology does not require the type of coursework in calculus, physics, and chemistry necessary for careers and graduate work in meteorology.
The minor is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 24 units of required and elective courses. At least one course elective must come from outside the department, with the Department of Geography and Environmental Planning accepting up to 12 units of electives from other departments. Note that some of the electives may have pre-requisites associated with them.
Required Courses
(12 units)
GEOG 101 Physical Geography [3]
GEOG 373 Climatology [3]
GEOG 377 Meteorology [3]
GEOG 419 Severe and Hazardous Weather [3]
Electives (12
units)
GEOG 416 Remote Sensing of the Environment [3]
GEOG 460 Applied Climatology [3]
GEOG 491 Internship (1-6; 3 maximum toward minor) [3]
GEOG 496 Independent Study in Geography (Meteorology topics) [3]
GEOL 357 Physical Oceanography [3]
CHEM 104 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry [3]
MATH 211 or MATH 273 Calculus for Applications or Calculus I
PHYS 211 or PHYS 241 General Physics I or General Physics I with Calculus
PHYS 212 or PHYS 242 General Physics II or General Physics II with Calculus
Students wishing to pursue a minor with an emphasis in broadcast meteorology could also consider the following courses as part of the 12 units of electives, with approval from the department chair:
EMF 370 News Production
EMF 351 WMFJ-TV Station Operations
EMF 375 Broadcast Performance
EMF 481 TV News
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
Geographic Information Sciences (GISciences) is an integrative,
skills-based discipline that facilitates observation and analysis at
global scales, employing a spatial perspective that is useful to many
disciplines. The minor in GISciences provides students with basic
professional skills for conducting spatial analysis, combining
conceptual frameworks with technical proficiencies in tools such as
geographic information systems, remote sensing, global positioning
systems, cartography, and spatial statistics. The minor works well with
a variety of majors from the College of Business and Economics, the
College of Health Professions, the College of Liberal Arts, and the
College of Science and Mathematics. GISciences is a growing field and
Towson University is recognized as a GISciences leader in Maryland.
Students graduating with GISciences skills are in demand by employers,
due to the large number of academic, private, government, and nonprofit
organizations that are creating or expanding their GIS capabilities. The
minor is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 21 units of required
and elective courses. A maximum of 6 units from other departments may be
counted toward the minor, with the approval of the program director.
Students are strongly encouraged to complete a GIS internship with a
government agency or business. 
Students minoring in meteorology will be provided with an introduction to atmospheric principles and meteorological phenomena such as heat waves, drought, hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. It is suitable for students who wish to be informed about this field and might pursue careers in which a background in meteorology is relevant or important, such as environmental policy, mass communication, government, and industry. Students should note that the minor in meteorology does not require the type of coursework in calculus, physics, and chemistry necessary for careers and graduate work in meteorology.