Teaching and Education Initiatives
GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES
Topics in Geography GEOG 475
Over recent years, technology has revolutionized the way we measure and observe the landscape over time and space. This course introduces the student to state-of-the-art technologies that capture the properties of the landscape which is critical to better characterize and understand environmental properties and change. Students will develop their skills in geospatial systems applicable to a variety of research and industry fields. This course includes an overview of Unmanned aerial systems (a.k.a drones), light detection and ranging (LiDAR), high-grade Differential GPS (DGPS), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Virtual reality, optical sensors
POLAR REGIONS
GEOG/ ENV ST/ ATM OS 322
The Polar Regions are experiencing unprecedented changes over recent decades as a result of global warming. Sea ice is declining, permafrost is thawing, and glaciers are retreating and disappearing. These changes are having profound impacts in terrestrial, marine and atmospheric environments with implications to the global climatic system. This course will review the past, present and future of the Polar Regions. Particularly, we will cover the history, geography, atmospheric and ocean circulations, terrestrial permafrost environments, ice sheets and the future state of the Arctic and Antarctic regions as projected by global climate models. In addition, we will study the role of Polar Regions in the earth’s system and the associated global climatic feedbacks.
Intro to the Earth System
GEOG 120
We live in a swiftly changing world characterized by rapidly changing climates, shifting landscapes, and growing human populations. Now, more than ever, it is essential to understand how the earth system works, how it affects our livelihoods, and how we are altering it. This course provides a critical foundation for understanding just that. Through this course students gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse processes that shape our local, regional, and global landscapes. Many students take this course to fulfill the physical science requirement. Others use it as a gateway to majors and careers in Geography, Environmental Studies, and Environmental Science
More info on Geography courses: https://geography.wisc.edu/courses/