1991-1993 Catalog - Catalogs - West Virginia University

7previous paragraph. In exceptional cases and with the approval of the geographyfaculty, a student may design a program that combines elements of the four specialtyoptions. Such a program will be arranged with the assistance of the student's advisor.The specialty options are described below in detail. Following a brief description ofeach option, a number of recommended courses are listed that provide the appropriatetraining for each and a number of courses from other programs at WVU which arerecommended as supplements to the geography courses.Degree RequirementsRequired courses for all options (25 credit hours): Geog. 2, 7, 8, 99, 105, 109,110, 140, and 151 or 261.OptionsPlanning and Regional Development : The planning and regional developmentoption prepares students to participate in the social processes that influence contemporary urban and regional development. Students will be exposed to issues andproblems of planning, including topics and questions such as equity versus efficiency;planning from above or below; community development and grass roots planning;regions of growth versus regions of decline; third world planning; urban design; landuseplanning; neighborhood development and urban revitalization; race, gender, andsuburban growth; rural development planning; and policy formation. The trainingprovided in this track will equip students with a background for careers or advancedstudy in economic development, urban or regional planning, industrial development,community planning, and environmental design. A planning internship is includedwithin the program and most courses have a practical orientation. Students followingthis track can choose to focus on one of three sub-areas: urban, rural, or regionaldevelopment planning. Alternatively, students may construct their own program whichincludes courses from each sub-area.Urban recommended courses: Geography 225, 295, and one regional coursefrom either 141, 144, or 145. Other recommended courses are Economics 257,Political Science 120, Sociology 131 and 222.Rural recommended courses: Geography 205, 221 , 230, 295, and one regionalcourse from either 143, 144, or 145; other suggested courses are Economics 200,Political Science 120, Sociology 223.Regional development recommended courses: Geography 209, 21 1, 295, and tworegional courses from 141 , 143, 144, or 145; other suggested courses are Economics200, Political Science 120, Sociology 223.Spatial Analysis: Geographic Information Systems and Automated CartographyContemporary theory and practice of computerized cartography and geographicinformation systems (GIS) are emphasized in this option. Specializing in the art andscience of making maps and spatial data analysis, the option responds to the need forfresh approaches to decision making in a variety of career settings. Geography offersa unique spatial perspective on the analysis of information. The analysis optionprovides knowledge of geographical distributions and patterns, and data capture fromfield, aerial photographic, and remotely sensed image sources. The student mayfurther specialize in statistical and computer-oriented geographical analysis andtechnical and managerial issues in geographic information systems. Internships areavailable with local planning agencies and within University research units to applygeographical and map analysis to practical and developmental problems.Recommended courses: Geog. 151, 200, 251, and 252. Other suggestedcourses: Geog. 115, 150, 209, 220, 225, 295, Geol. 7, 221; Math 3, 4, 15, 16; C.S. 1,2, 5; C.E. 5; Stat. 101, 201, 212, 221, 231; Engl. 208; For.226; Econ. 54, 55, 255, 257;Ag.Ec. 200, 211; Astr. 106; Art 121, 123; Phys. 8; Journ. 1, 50, 120; I.E. 250.Natural Resources, Environment, and Development : This option emphasizesthe interaction between natural resources, the physical environment, and economicdevebpment in first and third world regions. It provides training for students interestedGeology and Geography 1 1