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Home : Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Geography offers an integrative perspective on the relations among social, political, economic, and physical phenomena in space and place.

Geography describes and explains the past, present, and future locations and spatial patterns of humans and their settlements, cultural and economic traits, and natural environment and resources. Geographical research addresses important issues relating to the environment and how culture and nature are connected. The language of maps is a distinctive language of geography, and an ability to use and interpret maps is fundamental to the study and practice of the discipline.

Degrees & Courses

• Geography BA
• Geography BS
• Geography Minor
• GIS Minor (PDF)
• Urban Studies BA, BS, and Minor

BA in Geography

Planning Form (PDF)

The BA provides geography students with a broad background in the discipline with emphasis on any one of the four tracks. To earn the BA, students must complete 120 credits, including at least 32 geography credits with a grade of C- or better.

Students take three core courses, a "modes of geographic inquiry" course, and five courses (or 15 credits) from the major track. Students also complete a senior project.

Required BA courses

Core courses

Three of the following:

• Geog 1301
• Geog 3371
• Geog 3401
• Geog 3561

Other required courses

• Modes of Geographic Inquiry, Geog 4001, or Social Theory and the Environment, Geog 4002W
• and the Senior Project:
  • either the Senior Project Seminar, Geog 3985W or 3985V or Geog 3994
  • or 2 credits of extra-credit registration in any course in the major concentration track
  • or Geog 4700 plus one of its companion courses (Geog 4121 Latin America or Geog 3411 Geography of Health and Healthcare).

BS in Geography

Planning Form (PDF)

The BS offers a solid foundation in the science of geography in either the Environmental Systems track or the Geographic Information Science (GIS) track. To earn the BS, students must complete 120 credits, including at least 38 geography credits with a grade of C- or better.

Students take three core courses, a "modes of geographic inquiry" course, and five track courses (or 15 credits). Students also complete a senior project.

Required BS Courses

Core courses

• Geography of Environmental Systems, Geog 3401
• and Principles of Geographical Information Science, Geog 3561
• and one of the following: Geog 1301 or 3371

Other required courses

• Modes of Geographic Inquiry, Geog 4001 or Social Theory and the Environment, Geog 4002W
• and the Senior Project:
  • either the Senior Project Seminar, Geog 3985W or 3985V or Geog 3994 
  • or 2 credits of extra-credit registration in any course in the major concentration track
  • or Geog 4700 plus one of its companion courses (Geog 4121 Latin America or Geog 3411 Geography of Health and Healthcare).

Courses required from other programs

• Mathematics 1271 and Math 1272; or Math 1371 and 1372;
• or Statistics 3011* and Stats 3022;
• or Computer Science (CSci 1107 and 1113)

*Note: Stats 3021 may be substituted for Stats 3011, but requires Math 1272 as a prerequisite.

Geography Minor

Planning Form (PDF)

Students may earn a minor in geography which requires a minimum of 14 credits in 3xxx, 4xxx, or 5xxx courses with a grade of C- or better.