Teaching

GEOG 1011 - Our Changing Planet: Landscapes and Water

Earth’s landscapes are always changing, from mountains rising and rivers carving valleys to soils forming and glaciers advancing and retreating. In this course, students investigate the processes that shape Earth’s surface, including plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, weathering, rivers, glaciers, and climate change. Students will also consider how people interact with these systems, and why understanding them is key for addressing hazards, managing natural resources, and building a sustainable future.

GEOG 3511 - The Water Cycle

Hydrology explores how water moves through our world—circulating between the oceans, atmosphere, and land. Water is not only essential for life, it also shapes ecosystems and transforms landscapes. In this course, students learn the core principles of hydrology and the tools scientists use to answer real-world water questions. We work on skills like analyzing data, solving equations, and interpreting results—but we’ll also focus on understanding the big-picture processes behind the numbers. By the end, students have both the technical know-how and the conceptual foundation to see how the water cycle connects science, the environment, and society.

GEOG 4003 / 5003 - UAS for Earth Observations

Drones are transforming how scientists observe and measure the Earth, providing a view from above at spatial scales and resolutions that are difficult to achieve from the ground or satellites. In this hands-on course, students learn how to plan and conduct drone missions, safely operate small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), and turn aerial imagery into useful scientific data. We explore remote sensing, photogrammetry, sensors, flight planning, and regulations, while getting outside to fly drones and collect data. Back in the lab, students build 3D models, map terrain and vegetation, and evaluate the accuracy and uncertainty of their results. By the end, students have experience developing a scientific question, planning and flying a mission, processing the imagery, and producing useful products.

GEOG 5161 - Research Design

This graduate seminar guides first-year Geography students through the process of developing and articulating their own research projects. Students learn to frame compelling research questions, match those questions to appropriate methods and data, and craft a full research proposal—often in the format of a National Science Foundation application. The course emphasizes clear, persuasive academic writing and effective communication for both funding and publication contexts. Through peer review, regular writing practice, and constructive feedback, students strengthen their ability to write, edit, and collaborate as emerging scholars.