Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Online Geography Courses Overview

Geography courses teach students about the surface of the planet. Online geography courses instruct students in the creation of mapping information systems. They learn about the migration of people to cities and the interaction between the surface of the Earth and other natural systems. Students may take a single course for personal interest or pursue a degree majoring in geography or urban planning.

Summary of Online Geography Courses

Online geography courses review the various aspects of the Earth's surface. They are divided into two general categories: physical and cultural (human) geography. The former focuses on a variety of topics, such as the creation of landforms, climates and the distribution of animals and plants. The latter studies the impact of human development on the landscape, through political and social organizations, languages and religions.
Students interested in geography can select from several online course topics, including cultural or world geography, cartography, geographic information system or urban planning. Career fields include working as an urban planner, cartographer, climatologist or demographer.

Course Requirements

Online students must have access to a computer with an Internet connection, preferably with a high-speed DSL or cable connection. Some schools have certain minimum requirements for Internet browsers, operating systems and video monitors and may require certain word processing programs or other applications. Students many need to access a secured educational website. Coursework can also delivered through DVDs, CDs, audio, videotapes or printed materials.
Students must be comfortable communicating with online instructors and classmates through e-mail and must be familiar with downloading, opening, saving and sending files. Knowing how to access streaming video and participate in online board discussions are necessary.

List of Online Geography Courses

Cultural Geography Course

This online geography course explores how cultural influences affect the landscape of the planet. Students review the impact of human development through religion, language, society, politics and culture on a local and global scale.

World Geography Course

Students are introduced to regional geography and the differences between the world's regions. Online geography course students explore how uneven development in regions is based on population, climate, cultural and historical progress, resources, trade, landforms and economy.

Geographic Information Systems Course

In this course, students are introduced to geographic information systems (GIS) and their employment to generate data used by governments, businesses, science organizations and other industries. Students learn GIS terminology and the application of coordinate systems, map scales, cartographic principles and map projections. Using geographically analyzed data allows a better understand of how human development has shaped the world.

Basic Cartography Course

The fundamentals of cartography, including the concepts and methods used to build digital maps, are discussed in this course, along with the importance of cartography and its use in government, business and education practices. Students learn to use topographic maps and aerial photographs in the building of digital maps.

Urban Planning and Transportation Systems Course

This course considers how planners responded to the various economic, social, technological and political innovations of the 19th and 20th century. Students learn how urban influences drove the design of transportation systems of the world. The course allows students to examine and explore ways to address 21st century urban and transportation problems and issues.

Science and Geography Course

Students learn about geography as one of the Earth's system in a network of natural systems. They investigate how each system responds to changes in the others. The course goes on to explore the flows and cycles of weather and climate, ecology, air, oceans, water, natural hazards and other resources.

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