Geography Major

Major Requirements

A major in geography consists of nine courses. The classes comprising the major will be selected in a manner that builds from the introductory classes to the advanced seminars and will include the following:

• One foundation course: GEOG 111 - Geography, Environment, and Society: Global Issues and Local Patterns , GEOG 113 - Geography, Environment, and Society: Global Processes and World Regions  or GEOG 115 - Geography, Environment, and Society: Engaging with the World Around Us .
  Note: Students can earn credit equivalent to GEOG 111 , GEOG 113 ,or GEOG 115   by scoring a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in Human Geography. Students who do so are still required to take nine geography courses for the major.
• Two research methods courses: GEOG 225 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems  and GEOG 378 - Statistical Research Methods in Geography  
• One area studies course, which may be satisfied through one of the following:
  • A regional geography course in the department (e.g., GEOG 242 - Regional Geography of the US and Canada , GEOG 243 - Geography of Africa: Local Resources and Livelihoods in a Global Context , GEOG 244 - The Political Economy of Asia , GEOG 249 - Environment and Society in Latin America , or GEOG 265 - Contemporary Mongolia: Livelihoods, Economies and Environments );
  • An approved study away program; or
  • The student may petition to count a comprehensive area studies course in another department for regions not covered by the geography department. 

If the student fulfills the area studies requirement through a study abroad program or a non-geography course, they must still take nine geography courses for the major.

• Four intermediate courses - 200 or 300 level
• One research seminar course: 
  • GEOG 472 - Global Urbanism  
  • GEOG 474 - Our Changing Planet: A Seminar in Land-Change Science  
  • GEOG 475 - Health Geography Seminar  
  • GEOG 476 - Transportation Geography Seminar  
  • GEOG 477 - Comparative Environment and Development: A Seminar in Political Ecology  
  • GEOG 478 - Another World is Possible: The Political Economy of Urban Sustainability  
  • GEOG 479 - Migrants, Migration and the Global Landscape of Population Change  

The senior capstone requirement in geography will be satisfied by completing one 400-level research seminar course. GEOG 277 - Qualitative Research Methods in Geography  is strongly recommended for majors planning to attend graduate school.