This class is designed to furnish students with a basic set of skills in recognizing, locating, processing and analyzing geographic data. These skills provide a foundation for upper-level classes in statistical methods, Geographic Information Systems, urban and regional development. These skills also provide a basic professional preparation for employment market requirements including defining research questions, selecting suitable geographic tools and methods to investigate, harvesting and analyzing data, and in presenting findings using computer mapping, spreadsheet, and charting software.
B.S. Urban & Regional Development Degree Requirements
Foundations
- 1st Year English or equivalent
- MATH 107 or MATH 112 (or higher)
- 2nd semester second language proficiency
General Education
- 6 units Tier 1 Individuals & Societies
- 6 units Tier 1 Traditions & Cultures
- 6 units Tier 1 Natural Sciences
- 3 units Tier 2 Humanities
- 3 units Tier 2 Natural Sciences
- 3 units Tier 2 Arts
- 3 units Diversity
Minor
Required, minimum of 18 units (or double-major)
Statistics
- Complete 1 of the following courses (3 units)
An introductory course in the fundamentals of modern statistics with applications and examples in the social and behavioral sciences. Topics include: methods for describing and summarizing data, probability, random sampling, estimating population parameters, significance tests, contingency tables, simple linear regression, and correlation.
Economics
- Complete the following course (3 units)
- Note: If ECON 200 is in your minor, complete any GEOG 300 or higher course as substitute
National and international economic issues. An introduction to economic analysis.
Core
- Complete 4 of the following courses (12 units)
Introduction to Sustainable Development is a foundational course in understanding the policies and strategies that constitute "smart" regional development in US metropolitan areas.
Analysis and modeling of the spatial structure of primary, secondary, and tertiary economic activities; location theory and regionalization in economic systems.
Fertility, mortality, and migration as agents of demographic change. Topics include fertility control and LDCs; working mothers and NDCs; aging societies; legal/illegal immigration in the U.S., population policies.
Introduction to basic concepts, objectives, practices and techniques of regional and industrial development as a professional activity, with emphasis on development problems and solutions.
Location patterns in urban areas and processes of growth; historical development of U.S. cities, rent theory, housing markets, commercial and industrial location, the role of transportation, urban finance, New Urbanist planning and sustainable development concepts.
Methods
- Complete 2 of the following courses (6 units)
Methods used in environmental geography, including mapping techniques, use of global positioning systems, collection of various types of environmental data and basic data analysis methods.
Introduction to remote sensing principles, techniques, and applications, designed principally for those with no background in the field.
Formulation and solution of geographic problems; models, research design, and methods of gathering, analyzing, and portraying geographic data.
General survey of principles of geographic information systems (GIS); applications of GIS to issues such as land assessment and evaluation of wildlife habitat; problem-solving with GIS.
Introduces the principles of map design, production and analysis.
Introduces concepts and application skills for use of geographic information systems to investigate a range of urban spatial issues and decision-making processes. Emphasis on complete process of GIS-based problem solving, including project planning, spatial data sources/acquisition, preparation/coding, analysis, representation, and communication.
A project-based course focusing on applications and impacts of GIS and other spatial analysis technologies in grassroots community development, participatory decision making, and community-engaged social science. Class format includes discussion seminar, GIS workshop, collaboration, and out-of-classroom community involvement.
Introduces principles and practices of Geovisualization (Geoviz) and softwares (Community and ERDAS Image)
An advanced course for students who want to integrate social science data and geographic information science into their research or work life. The course is presented in a lecture/laboratory format. The lecture portion will deal with conceptual issues necessary for the integration of social science data and approaches within a GIS framework. The laboratory portion will provide practical experience with GIS software products used for the development and analysis of spatially-referenced social science data sets.
Introduction to the application of GIS and related technologies for both the natural and social sciences. Conceptual issues in GIS database design and development, analysis, and display.
Methods of gathering and analyzing data for the solution of geographical, urban, and regional planning problems, with emphasis on quantitative and statistical techniques used in spatial analysis and cartography, on the one hand, and program planning, on the other.
Use of aircraft and satellite imagery for monitoring landforms, soils, vegetation and land use, with the focus on problems of land-use planning, resource management and related topics.
Internship or Capstone
- Complete 1 of the following courses (3 units)
Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.
An integrated approach to the built environment with special emphasis on the historical, social, and political aspects of American urban development.
This course explores contemporary urban processes in transnational and cross-cultural perspective. Drawing on theories and histories of globalization, development, modernity and migration, we will consider how the global context shapes debates about cities and social life. How have contemporary urban places developed and what problems and solutions are articulated around these sites?
Topical issues in regional development, with emphasis on policy in diverse contexts and case study analysis.
This workshop-based course is designed to enable UA undergraduates and graduates students to work in Tucson-area schools helping students and teachers to undertake the design, construction, planting, harvesting and preparation of foods from a local school garden. The workshop also involves preparing or assembling curriculum materials to enable teachers and students to teach and learn about food production, food histories and geographies, and food politics. The course includes an intensive workshop sponsored by the Tucson Community Food Bank. In addition to attending that workshop, students are also expected to attend at least one fieldtrip among the two that are organized during the semester as well as attend monthly meetings of the group on the UA campus. Most of the workshop, however, revolves around consistent and engaged involvement with a Tucson school and its teachers and students supporting the development and maintenance of school garden and attendant curriculum.
Major Electives
- Complete 9 units of any GEOG course with course number 200 to 499
Electives
Elective courses can be taken if needed to reach 120 total units or 21 upper-division units.