Department of Geography and the Environment at University of Texas at Austin
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1949 |
| Chairperson | Sheryl Luzzadder Beach, Chair |
| Location | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Campus | The University of Texas |
| Website | www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/geography |
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The Department of Geography and The Environment at the University of Texas at Austin is a division unit of the College of Liberal Arts. The Department was founded in 1949 and is a research focused institution with a well-developed graduate program. It is the first Geography Department established in Texas, and the second within the southwest region of the United States of America.
Research in the department is organized in the following research clusters:
From its founding, the Department has supported regional and international studies, with special emphases on Texas and the Southwest, Latin America, the Mediterranean World and Middle East, and Northern and Eastern Europe. The Department has also provided training in the topical areas of geography. These included cultural geography, physical geography (earth sciences), and mathematical geography (cartography). By 1960, conservation (environmental resource management) had become an explicit topical focus which would be further strengthened over the years. By 1970, urban and regional analysis became an area of departmental concern, and by 2004 Urban Studies had been added as a major managed by the Department. In more recent years, remote sensing, computer cartography, and geographic information systems have been developed as additional areas of teaching and research. In 2004 the Department's name was changed to Geography and the Environment to reflect its enhanced role in the University.
Staff position established September 1998.
Founded in 2004 the GIScience Center was created to solidify the Department of Geography and The Environments research and teaching focuses in Geographic Information Science. The GIScience center offers an integrated approach to GISc research and teaching. The GIScience Center is the focal point of Geographic Technologies on UT campus and work cross departmental with other research units on campus to develop GIS and Remote Sensing resources and research.
The Flagship computing facility of the department, open to students and researchers providing cutting edge equipment and software to develop Geographic Projects. Founded by Kenneth E. Foote in 1985.
Strictly a research laboratory, the Digital Landscapes Laboratory houses researchers performing technology demanding geographic research.
Physical Geography laboratories provide all equipment and lab space needed for the Department.
Headed by Troy Kimmel, The department's Weather and Climate resource center maintains a digital database of Austin and Texas weather, storm and climate data including all records for the two National Weather Service first order weather observation stations for the greater Austin metropolitan area at KAUS/Austin Bergstrom International Airport (records since 1942) and at KATT/Austin City - Camp Mabry (records since 1856). In addition the Center provides weather monitoring services during special occasions or emergencies for the University of Texas.
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