Geography

Course descriptions

Geography is a multidimensional discipline that analyzes the interactions between people and their environments. Our geographers teach courses and engage in research on a wide range of relevant and timely topics such as urban sprawl, the nature and impact of migration, globalization of the economy and international trade, the spatial prevalence of disease, regional development, global climatic change, environmental degradation and restoration, watershed and landscape change, and the analysis and display of spatial data using geographic information systems (GIS) technology.

Coursework in geography enables graduates to find employment in the private and public sectors while providing both the regional and global perspective required of informed citizens. B.A. students have gone on to work as urban and regional planners, marketing specialists, environmental program managers, location analysts, and transportation planners.

The B.S. degree prepares students to pursue a technologically oriented career as geographic information systems specialists. Students with an undergraduate degree in geography are also prepared to move on to graduate school to pursue M.A. and Ph.D. degrees that enable them to teach at the college level or to secure higher ranking positions in the public and private sectors.

Bachelor of Arts

The B.A. degree requires 24 credits in 2000-level or above geography courses and 12 credits of related course work in other departments. B.A. majors must complete a basic core of three courses: GEOG 2100 or 2200, 2300E, and one methods course (choice of GEOG 2500, 2510, 3110, 3500Q, or 3510), and 15 additional credits, including at least one “W” course in geography chosen in consultation with their departmental advisor. No more than six credits of internship and/or independent study (GEOG 4090, 4091, and 4099) may be counted toward the additional credit requirements of the Geography major.

Bachelor of Sciences

The B.S. degree requires 31 credits in 2000-level or above geography courses and 12 credits of closely related course work in other departments. B.S. majors must complete a basic core of three courses: GEOG 2100 or 2200, 2300E, and 2500. B.S. majors must take 21 additional credits in Geography, including at least four courses from either “methods” courses (choice of GEOG 2505, 2510, 3420, 3500Q, 3505, 3510, 4230, 4515, or 4520), or “physical” courses (choice of GEOG 2310, 3310, 3400, 3410, 3420, 3505, 4230, or 4300), in addition to one “W” course, in consultation with their departmental advisor. Based on content, GEOG 4093, 4095, 4098 may be used towards the methods or physical requirements in the major with advisor consent. No more than six credits of internship and/or independent study (GEOG 4090, 4091, and 4099) may be counted toward the additional credit requirements of the Geography major.

Writing Requirement

The writing in the major requirement for Geography can be met by passing any of the following geography courses: GEOG 3320W, 3330W, 4000W, 4001W, 4110W, or 4200W.

Information Literacy

Information Literacy requirement in the Geography major can be met by passing any of the following geography courses GEOG 3320W, 3330W, 4000W, 4001W, 4110W, or 4200W.

A minor in Geographic Information Science is described in the Minors section.

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