Geography Major

The Department of Geography and Planning offers programs leading to the B.A., M.A., and M.R.P. degrees, a combined B.A./M.A. program, and an Undergraduate/Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis. Undergraduate students can major or minor in geography and the department also offers a major and minor in urban studies and planning. Geographers study the characteristics of space, location and place in the broader context of how people interact with both physical and human environments. Geography can be classified as both a natural science and a social science as it examines people and their environment and serves as a bridge between the physical and cultural worlds. Planning is a discipline and professional practice that deals with the form, organization, and orderly development of cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Geographic information systems (GIS), computer mapping, remote sensing, and related technologies are central to the discipline of geography and are indispensable in many areas of professional planning practice.

Teaching and research in the department emphasize urban, social, physical, and cultural geography; city and regional planning; urban design; remote sensing; cartography and geographic information systems; environmental studies; climatology; computer and statistical models; area (regional) studies; urban and regional planning methods; economic development; small town and rural land-use planning. Members of the faculty have strong international links with China, Russia, Australia, and various countries in Africa, Latin America and Western Europe.

Careers

The undergraduate programs provide background suitable for entry into a wide variety of business, educational and government occupations, as well for graduate or professional study in geography, planning, business, public administration, forestry, landscape architecture and other environmentally oriented programs. Career possibilities include: cartographers, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (G.I.S.) specialists; location and market area analysts; urban, regional, economic, and transportation planners; environmental scientists; international development specialists; urban design professionals; industrial and real estate developers; soil scientists; marketing and distribution managers; journalists; and travel and recreation specialists.

Degree Requirements for the Major in Geography

General Program B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits, including

• A GOG 101 and 102.
• A MAT 108 (or an approved equivalent).
• A GOG 496.
• one course from A GOG 290, 293 or 385.
• 20–21 credits of elective course work in Geography which must include: (a) a minimum of 9 credits at or above the 300 level; and (b) at least one course from the following: A GOG 160, 225, 250, 270, 350, 354, 356, or 365.
  

Honors Program

The department’s honors program in geography is intended to recognize the academic excellence of its best students, to give them the opportunity to work more closely with the faculty, and to enhance their understanding of geographical theory and research. Students may apply for admission to the program during their junior year or at the beginning of their senior year. To gain admission. students must have formally declared a major in geography and completed at least 12 credits of course work in the department. In addition, at the time of admission students must have an overall grade point average of at least 3.25, and of 3.50 in geography.

Students must complete a minimum of 48 credits total of which 42 credits are in geography, as follows:

• 12 credits from A GOG 101, 102, 396, and 400.
• 3-4 credits from A GOG 290, 293, or 385.
• 6 credits of Senior Honors Thesis, A GOG 499. During this two-semester sequence, the student will prepare an honors thesis based on original library and/or field research, under the supervision of a member of the department. Any faculty member knowledgeable in the topic may supervise an honors thesis. A written proposal describing the project must be approved by the adviser and the departmental Honors Committee by the beginning of the student’s senior year. The thesis will be submitted for formal evaluation in the spring semester of the student’s senior year, and must be approved by both the adviser and the Honors Committee.
• 20–21 credits of elective course work in geography which must include a) a minimum of 12 credits at or above the 300 level and b) at least 1 course of a regional nature from the following: A GOG 160, 225, 250, 270, 350, 354, 356, or 365.
• A minimum of 6 credits of foreign language or of an appropriate research skill, such as computing, statistics, or social research methodology as approved by the adviser and the Honors Committee. If this requirement is met using a foreign language, the student must complete one year of college-level study of the language or achieve placement beyond the first year of that language. For a research skill other than a foreign language, the student must complete 6 credits of relevant course work outside the department.
  

The departmental Honors Committee will review each student’s progress at the end of each semester. Students whose work has not been satisfactory will be warned and, if warranted, dismissed from the program. Unsatisfactory work in a semester would include failing to maintain a satisfactory grade point average, having unjustified incomplete grades, or failing to make satisfactory progress toward completion of the honors program requirements. Upon completion of all honors program requirements with a grade point average of 3.50 in geography and 3.25 overall, students will be recommended by the Honors Committee for graduation with Honors in Geography.