Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the distributions of organisms, both past and present. It is the science that attempts to describe and understand spatial patterns of biodiversity and the variation of those patterns. Some biogeographers use an historical approach to explain such patterns by focusing on the organism's ancestors or on environmental change (as climate change or "continental drift"). Others use an ecological approach and focus on an organism's adaptations to, or interactions with the environment. Today, the distributions and abundance of many species are being adversely affected by human land use and development, so biogeography has become an important science to the conservation of these species and the design of nature reserves.
Advising Faculty Members: (contact Dr. McCarragher)
Courses Suggested
- GEOG 202 Natural Resource Management and Sustainability
- GEOG 316 Introductory Biogeography
- GEOG 415 Animal Geography
- GEOG 416 Conservation Biogeography
- GEOG 452 Topics in Geography (Biogeographical Focus)
- GEOG 426 Field Studies in Biogeography
These courses are only suggestive. Faculty members may tailor the selection of courses to the need and background of individual students. The department also suggests the inclusion of courses from other departments or from a formal minor as part of the requirements of this AOS.
To declare an AOS, you must fill out the AOS agreement form (which can be found on the forms page), obtain the required signatures and turn it in to the department secretary.
Note: All general education requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) as well as the 36 hour requirement for a major in Geography must be completed separate of the AOS. Courses in the AOS may not be substituted for these courses.
Other Related Courses
- GEOG 314 Climatology
- GEOG 315 Geomorphology
- GEOG 410 Soils
- GEOG 411 Hydrology
- GEOG 422 Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
- GEOG 425 Raster GIS
