Department of Geography
Geographers at the University of Oklahoma focus on the analysis of the human-environment interface. The Department of Geography studies this interface by overlapping expertise in the areas of cultural, historical, political and economic geography, applied physical geography and geographic information science. This focus on the human-environment interface complements and enhances the mission of the Weather Sphere by synthesizing the social sciences with the earth and atmospheric sciences.
Our department analyzes global environments and the role of human life in these systems. The study of the interaction of physical and biological systems with social systems forms a central focus for our research. No other scholarly field addresses the interplay between patterns of human activity and the Earth’s weather, climate, landforms, water, vegetation and soils. In this sense, the Department of Geography teaches a field of extraordinary breadth.
There is an emphasis on integrating all areas in geography: physical, human and mathematical. Our faculty in physical geography study hydrology, global and tropical climatology and biogeography. In human geography, they study cultural and historical studies focusing on economic and natural resource development, land use, indigenous peoples, political geography and the geography of cyberspace. In examining earth surface processes and human activities, geographers develop and use mathematical and statistical techniques including geographic information science, quantitative methods, statistical climatology and remote sensing. Working with the Weather Sphere, the Department of Geography is involved in researching natural hazards and disasters, water resources, land use and land cover change, and sustainability.
“The Department of Geography is positioned to develop the next generation of students that understand how weather and climate impact people.” - Fred Shelley, Chair
Sarkeys Energy Center Phone: 405.325.5325 |
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