Geography & Geosciences
Major in Geography
This major offers great preparation for careers that involve resource planning, site selection, transportation, and other aspects of land and resource management. The major links the social and natural sciences, and offers a broad foundation in geography and geosciences.
You’ll study the basics (including weather and the earth’s landscapes); develop important skills (including the use of geographic information systems, or GIS); and choose from an array of courses on specific regions and geographical topics, such as urban environmental problems.
Throughout, you’ll get the benefit of personal attention from faculty, who plan field trips to places near and far and welcome independent projects. Hands-on internships are available and interesting.
Core Coursework: Ten (10) courses required
BID 103 Ocean Studies
or
GEO 105 Introduction to Atmospheric Science
GEO 102 Earth System Science
GEO 111 Regional Study of the Modern Industrial World
or
GEO 112 Regional Study of the Developing World
GEO 207 Introduction to Spatial Thinking
GEO 413 Economic Geography
GEO 470 Research Methods in Geography (Half course)
GEO 471 Senior Research Capstone (Half course)
Plus, students must take one of the following regional specialty courses:
GEO 311 Regional Study of Europe
GEO 315 Regional Study of the United States and Canada
GEO 317 Regional Study of Latin America
Plus two of the following topical-systematic courses:
GEO 302 Urban Applications of GIS (Note prerequisite of GEO 207)
GEO 308 Remote Sensing Techniques (Note prerequisite of GEO 207)
GEO 411 Urban Geography
GEO 412 Political Geography
Recommended Schedule of Coursework for Geography Major
FIRST YEAR
Fall Term
ENG 105 Composition I
FYS 100 First-Year Seminar
BID 103 Ocean Studies
or
GEO 105 Introduction to Atmospheric Science
GEO 111 Regional Study of the Modern Industrial World
or
GEO 112 Regional Study of the Developing World
January Term
300-level GEO elective (GEO 305 or GEO 353)
Spring Term
ENG 106 Composition II
GEO 102 Earth System Science
GEO 111 Regional Study of the Modern Industrial World
or
GEO 112 Regional Study of the Developing World
Integrated Curriculum (One course)
SECOND YEAR
Fall Term
GEO 207 Introduction to Spatial Thinking
Integrated Curriculum (Three courses)
January Term
300-level GEO elective (GEO 305 or GEO 353)
or
Study Away Experience
Spring Term
One Topical-Systemic Course
One Regional Specialty Course
Integrated Curriculum (Two courses)
THIRD YEAR
Fall Term
One Topical-Systemic Course
GEO 413 Economic Geography
Integrated Curriculum (Two courses)
January Term
GEO Elective (300-level)
or
Study Away Experience
Internship Planning: GEO 468
Spring Term
GEO 468 Internship (Half course; P/F)
GEO Elective
ICS 270 (Half course)
One Regional Course
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Term
GEO 468 Geography/Geosciences Internship/Feld Experiences (Half course; P/F)
GEO 470 Research Methods in Geography (Half course)
GEO Elective
Elective
January Term
Internship/Job Shadowing
Spring Term
GEO 471 (Half course)
Three Electives (including ENG 303
Note: As a substitute for GEO 305 or 353 (both offered in the January Term), students may elect to take GEO 390 Geography and Geosciences Cultural Study and Off-Campus Experience offered in the spring (travel in June during odd-numbered years).