Geography, BS

A Bachelor of Science with a major in geography gives you the skills to solve complex environmental problems associated with population growth, urban sprawl, climate change, natural disasters and public health. This degree is highly marketable and offers an advantage in an increasingly competitive job market.

Degree requirements

The following requirements must be satisfied for a Bachelor of Science with a major in geography.

Hours required and general/college requirements

A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree as specified in the “University Core Curriculum ” in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements (excluding foreign language).

Major requirements, 36 hours

A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses to graduate with a major in this department.

Three techniques courses from

Five advanced topics courses selected from

Groups A, B and C. GEOG 4900 and GEOG 4920 can be applied to the techniques group, topics Group A, topics Group B or topics Group C. At least three courses must be selected from one group and two courses from the remaining groups.

Other course requirements

Mathematics

MATH 1680 - Elementary Probability and Statistics (or equivalent)

Foreign language requirement options

Completion of one of the following course groups (two courses in total), to substitute for the foreign language requirement of the Arts and Sciences degree requirements.

Group 1, Computer programming and information systems

Any two of the following:

Group 2, Mathematics

Two courses (excluding MATH 1010 , MATH 1100 , MATH 1350 and MATH 1351 ), each at least 3 hours, in addition to the college requirement for meeting the Arts and Sciences degree requirements.

Group 3, Physical and natural/life science

Two advanced level courses, each at least 3 hours, in physics, chemistry or biology, subject to approval by the geography undergraduate advisor. Group III courses may be from different departments (for example, one in physics and one in chemistry).

Minor

Optional.

Electives

Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements. Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information see an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Area of concentration

Students who wish to concentrate in earth science should select three courses from Group A and two courses from Group B; students who wish to concentrate in regional science should select two courses from Group A and three courses from Group B; students who wish to concentrate in archaeology should select three courses from Group C and two courses from Group A and/or Group B.