Edward Martinko, Courtesy Associate Professor. Applied remote sensing, ecological systems, environmental studies. Paul Rich, Courtesy Assistant Professor. Ecology, environmental studies, geographic information systems, remote sensing. Physical Geography Specializations include many aspects of geomorphology, soils, and biogeography.
Studies stress contemporary as well as historic and prehistoric relationships.
Geomorphological research concentrates on fluvial, eolian, and glacial processes and landforms, past and present. Soils research emphasizes the links between soils and their associated geomorphic context and climate, with attention to both contemporary and prehistoric problems. Plant geography focuses on studies of biological proxy for paleoenvironmental and spatial variability in how plants use water and carbon. Cartography Opportunities are available for work in many aspects of cartography, including the role of cognitive mapping to the production and use of the map, exploring spatial data, and map animation. The program has focused traditionally on the map as a communication device, but increasing activity centers on interactive computer graphics, visualization, human factors, and geographic information systems.