2012 Summer Paleoecology Field School, Grove of the Patriarchs, Mt. Rainier National Park
Courses Currently Taught at CWU
Introduction to Physical Geography (GEOG 107); annually
Introduction to Physical Geography is an introductory course in which we discuss and explain the spatial dimension of Earth’s dynamic systems- its energy, air, water, weather, climate, tectonics, landforms, rocks, soils, plants, ecosystems, and biomes. We also discuss many human-Earth relations and concerns such as global warming and the ozone hole. There are no prerequisites for this course.
Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (IEM 302); every other fall
This course examines the physical principles behind climate change science and how they relate to energy production and consumption on our planet. Students will learn about the Earth’s climate system, which is a set of environmental systems including the atmosphere, hydrosphere (ocean and other water bodies), cryosphere (ice and snow), lithosphere (rocks and landforms) and biosphere (living organisms), that are coupled together with one another and vary over time and space. Particular emphasis will be place on learning about the movement of energy through these complicated systems and how it relates to human energy production and consumption choices. Students will also learn about past climatic changes on our planet, which will allow them to place current and future changes in context. Students will further explore the current and future impacts of global climate change on non-energy related resources (i.e., freshwater supply, food supply, faunal/floral biodiversity, soils, etc.) and the effects of this on society and its sustainability.
Geography of the Pacific Northwest (GEOG 355); every summer
This course explores the physical and human geography of the Pacific Northwest. A foundation in the basic geological structure of the region is followed by an examination of major landforms, climate, and vegetation patterns, both past and present. We will then discover a variety of things about the human occupation of the region and about different places, involving historical geography, distribution of populations, settlement patterns, and the economic and political organization of the region. We will also investigate the current geography of agricultural activities and natural resources in the region, including transportation, water, and energy resources. By the end of this course, you should be able to understand, identify, and explain the physical, historical, and cultural geography of the region in written form.
Biogeography (GEOG 387/487); every other spring
Biogeography is the science that attempts to document and understand spatial patterns of biological diversity, both past and present. This includes studies of all patterns of geographic variation—from genes to entire communities and ecosystems—and incorporates the geographic ideas of area, isolation, latitude, depth, and elevation. In this course we address such questions as: What enables a species to live where it does? How do geographic variables (i.e., climate, topography) play a role in determining a species habitat and range? How have historical events such as continental drift, glaciation, and climate change shaped a species’ distribution? How will human impacts on ecosystems continue to shape the future biogeography of species (especially in light of global warming)?
Weather and Climate (GEOG 388/488); every other winter
Climatology is the study of the Earth’s climate system, which is a set of environmental systems including the atmosphere, hydrosphere (ocean and other water bodies), cryosphere (ice and snow), lithosphere (rocks and landforms) and biosphere (living organisms), that are coupled to one another and vary over time and space. This course covers the basics of energy and moisture in the climate system, atmospheric circulation processes and patterns, weather phenomena such as hurricanes and tornadoes, and the spatial and temporal variations of climate, including those produced by human action.
Methods in Paleoecology (GEOG 407); occasionally
Paleoecology uses data from fossils and subfossils to reconstruct the ecosystems of the past. It involves the study of fossil organisms and their associated remains, including their life cycle, living interactions, natural environment, and manner of death and burial to reconstruct the paleoenvironment. This course examines popular methods used in paleoecology, such as palynology, dendroecology, charcoal analysis, and tephrochronology, and their application for reconstructing past environments.
Field Methods in Geography (GEOG 425); occasionally summer
This course is designed to give you practical experience in designing and carrying out a field study in physical geography. Attention is given to: 1) generating appropriate questions that can be answered with field data; 2) project planning to focus field effort; 3) methods and techniques of data collection; and 4) processing and analysis of samples. The topics covered in this course will focus on the health of forests of the eastern Cascades, forest disturbance, climate change, and human impacts on forest ecosystems.
Forest Environments (GEOG 454); every other spring
This course examines topics related to global forests of all forms, from boreal forests of Alaska and Siberia to tropical forests of Brazil and Indonesia, and everything in between. We cover such topics as forest ecology, disturbance regimes, forest biogeography through time, and forest health and management (including human use/destruction of global forests). Case studies focus on the forest of the Pacific Northwest and we examine such issues as past and present logging practices and the protection of old-growth forests. In addition, readings and discussion emphasize understanding how geospatial techniques are used to detect and document forest change.
Pyrogeography (GEOG 455); every other fall
The purpose of this course is to gain an understanding of fire ecology and fire’s effects on air, water, soil, flora, and fauna. By taking this course you will be able to describe where and why fires occur globally and how humans play a role in altering natural fire regimes. Additionally you will be able to discuss fire history methods and to use these data to describe how fire regimes have change from pre-historic to historic times, as well as to explain how current fire regimes of the western United States and other fire-prone regions of the world have changed as a result of fire-management policies.
Geography Field Experience (GEOG 493); quarterly
The goal of this course if for students to gain valuable hands-on experience working on research projects through the Paleoecology Lab, or to participate in field schools. Variable credits.
Introduction to Graduate Research (CERM 505); occasionally
The purpose of this course it to help graduate students in the REM program identify their research niche and develop a feasible thesis topic within the context of the program. During the course of the quarter students draft an initial thesis research proposal, as well as evaluate the research of others students.
Resource Management Colloquium (CERM 506); occasionally
The goal of this course is to help graduate students in the REM program learn to effectively present their thesis research. Typically, second years students present their research and receive feedback from other students in the course. All students learn to evaluate the research of others and gain practice asking insightful questions.
Introduction to Physical Geography (GEOG 107); annually
Introduction to Physical Geography is an introductory course in which we discuss and explain the spatial dimension of Earth’s dynamic systems- its energy, air, water, weather, climate, tectonics, landforms, rocks, soils, plants, ecosystems, and biomes. We also discuss many human-Earth relations and concerns such as global warming and the ozone hole. There are no prerequisites for this course.
Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (IEM 302); every other fall
This course examines the physical principles behind climate change science and how they relate to energy production and consumption on our planet. Students will learn about the Earth’s climate system, which is a set of environmental systems including the atmosphere, hydrosphere (ocean and other water bodies), cryosphere (ice and snow), lithosphere (rocks and landforms) and biosphere (living organisms), that are coupled together with one another and vary over time and space. Particular emphasis will be place on learning about the movement of energy through these complicated systems and how it relates to human energy production and consumption choices. Students will also learn about past climatic changes on our planet, which will allow them to place current and future changes in context. Students will further explore the current and future impacts of global climate change on non-energy related resources (i.e., freshwater supply, food supply, faunal/floral biodiversity, soils, etc.) and the effects of this on society and its sustainability.
Geography of the Pacific Northwest (GEOG 355); every summer
This course explores the physical and human geography of the Pacific Northwest. A foundation in the basic geological structure of the region is followed by an examination of major landforms, climate, and vegetation patterns, both past and present. We will then discover a variety of things about the human occupation of the region and about different places, involving historical geography, distribution of populations, settlement patterns, and the economic and political organization of the region. We will also investigate the current geography of agricultural activities and natural resources in the region, including transportation, water, and energy resources. By the end of this course, you should be able to understand, identify, and explain the physical, historical, and cultural geography of the region in written form.
Biogeography (GEOG 387/487); every other spring
Biogeography is the science that attempts to document and understand spatial patterns of biological diversity, both past and present. This includes studies of all patterns of geographic variation—from genes to entire communities and ecosystems—and incorporates the geographic ideas of area, isolation, latitude, depth, and elevation. In this course we address such questions as: What enables a species to live where it does? How do geographic variables (i.e., climate, topography) play a role in determining a species habitat and range? How have historical events such as continental drift, glaciation, and climate change shaped a species’ distribution? How will human impacts on ecosystems continue to shape the future biogeography of species (especially in light of global warming)?
Weather and Climate (GEOG 388/488); every other winter
Climatology is the study of the Earth’s climate system, which is a set of environmental systems including the atmosphere, hydrosphere (ocean and other water bodies), cryosphere (ice and snow), lithosphere (rocks and landforms) and biosphere (living organisms), that are coupled to one another and vary over time and space. This course covers the basics of energy and moisture in the climate system, atmospheric circulation processes and patterns, weather phenomena such as hurricanes and tornadoes, and the spatial and temporal variations of climate, including those produced by human action.
Methods in Paleoecology (GEOG 407); occasionally
Paleoecology uses data from fossils and subfossils to reconstruct the ecosystems of the past. It involves the study of fossil organisms and their associated remains, including their life cycle, living interactions, natural environment, and manner of death and burial to reconstruct the paleoenvironment. This course examines popular methods used in paleoecology, such as palynology, dendroecology, charcoal analysis, and tephrochronology, and their application for reconstructing past environments.
Field Methods in Geography (GEOG 425); occasionally summer
This course is designed to give you practical experience in designing and carrying out a field study in physical geography. Attention is given to: 1) generating appropriate questions that can be answered with field data; 2) project planning to focus field effort; 3) methods and techniques of data collection; and 4) processing and analysis of samples. The topics covered in this course will focus on the health of forests of the eastern Cascades, forest disturbance, climate change, and human impacts on forest ecosystems.
Forest Environments (GEOG 454); every other spring
This course examines topics related to global forests of all forms, from boreal forests of Alaska and Siberia to tropical forests of Brazil and Indonesia, and everything in between. We cover such topics as forest ecology, disturbance regimes, forest biogeography through time, and forest health and management (including human use/destruction of global forests). Case studies focus on the forest of the Pacific Northwest and we examine such issues as past and present logging practices and the protection of old-growth forests. In addition, readings and discussion emphasize understanding how geospatial techniques are used to detect and document forest change.
Pyrogeography (GEOG 455); every other fall
The purpose of this course is to gain an understanding of fire ecology and fire’s effects on air, water, soil, flora, and fauna. By taking this course you will be able to describe where and why fires occur globally and how humans play a role in altering natural fire regimes. Additionally you will be able to discuss fire history methods and to use these data to describe how fire regimes have change from pre-historic to historic times, as well as to explain how current fire regimes of the western United States and other fire-prone regions of the world have changed as a result of fire-management policies.
Geography Field Experience (GEOG 493); quarterly
The goal of this course if for students to gain valuable hands-on experience working on research projects through the Paleoecology Lab, or to participate in field schools. Variable credits.
Introduction to Graduate Research (CERM 505); occasionally
The purpose of this course it to help graduate students in the REM program identify their research niche and develop a feasible thesis topic within the context of the program. During the course of the quarter students draft an initial thesis research proposal, as well as evaluate the research of others students.
Resource Management Colloquium (CERM 506); occasionally
The goal of this course is to help graduate students in the REM program learn to effectively present their thesis research. Typically, second years students present their research and receive feedback from other students in the course. All students learn to evaluate the research of others and gain practice asking insightful questions.
Teaching Photo Gallery
GEOG 455 Pyrogeography field trip to Table Mountain in October 2023.
Geography Field Methods students describing a lake-sediment core from Fish Lake, Washington.
Geography Field Methods student taking a tree-ring core from a Douglas-fir tree.
Biogeography students completing vegetation transects in ponderosa pine forest, Umptanum Ridge, Washington.
Geography Field Methods students loading the research trailer for a four-day camping trip to the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, Washington.
Weather and Climate students on a field trip near the Columbia Gorge.