[ 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.

Geography majors choose one of the following concentrations:

Concentrations
Physical Geography
Human Geography

Physical Geography

Students who major in geography with a concentration in physical geography take a series of required courses and one elective:

Required Courses
GEO 101 Introduction to Meteorology
GEO 102 Earth’s Landforms
GEO 207 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GEO 111 Regional Study of the Modern Industrial World
or  
GEO 112  Regional Study of the Developing World
GEO 308 Remote Sensing: Applications and Interpretations
GEO 309 Geographic Information Systems (GIS II): Spatial Analysis
GEO 406 Advanced Physical Geography
GEO 413 Economic Geography
GEO 470 Senior Capstone Experience (Half course)

In addition, students must take one of the following electives:
GEO 302 GIS and the Urban Environment
GEO 311 Regional Study of Europe
GEO 315 Regional Study of United States and Canada
GEO 317 Regional Study of Latin America
GEO 411 Urban Geography

Human Geography

Students who major in geography with a concentration in human geography take a series of required courses and one elective:

Required Courses
GEO 101 Introduction to Meteorology
or
GEO 102 Earth’s Landforms
GEO 207 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GEO 111 Regional Study of the Modern Industrial World
GEO 112 Regional Study of the Developing World
GEO 375 Geography and International Relations
GEO 411 Urban Geography
GEO 412 Political Geography
GEO 413 Economic Geography
GEO 470 Senior Capstone Experience (Half course)
 
In addition, students must take one of the following regional courses:
GEO 311 Regional Study of Europe
GEO 315 Regional Study of United States and Canada
GEO 317 Regional Study of Latin America