Geography - Climate, Environment & Society Major B.S.
- Studying human interactions with the environment
- Competencies in subjects spanning the natural and social sciences, along with analytical techniques
- Career preparation for environmental and sustainability planning, resource management, natural areas preservation, outdoor and environmental education, and environmental assessment, monitoring, and restoration
Major code BS4232
Faculty Contact: Dr. Harold Perkins
Program Overview
The Environmental Geography major is ideal for students interested in environmental studies or environmental science, providing concentrated study of the Earth's physical systems and human interactions with the environment. Students completing this interdisciplinary program will develop competencies in a broad array of subjects spanning the natural and social sciences, as well as complementary analytical techniques.
Geographers are interested in the spatial patterns observed on earth. Bridging the natural and social sciences, Geography is the interdisciplinary study of environments and how people interact with the environment. It is important to study geography because many of the world's problems require understanding the interdependence between human activities and the environment. Geography is therefore a beneficial major for students because its theories and methods provide them with analytical skills relevant to occupations focused on solving social and environmental problems. The Geography Department offers eight majors that help students tailor their focus of study.
The department is committed to excellence in both teaching and advising. Several faculty members have received teaching awards, and faculty are known across campus for the quality of their advising. As a geography major, students meet one-on-one with their faculty adviser every semester during advising week, and they are always welcome to talk with their adviser at any time throughout the semester whenever questions may arise. In addition to advising students about their academic programs, the department provides timely information about internships, nationally competitive awards, and other opportunities as they arise. Many students complete internships, and several over the last few years have received nationally competitive awards.
Careers and Graduate School
A degree in Environmental Geography prepares students for careers in a variety of settings, including environmental and sustainability planning, resource management, natural areas preservation, and outdoor and environmental education, as well as in environmental assessment, monitoring, and restoration. In addition, graduates can seek careers in private and public firms and agencies that employ geographic information systems; education (public and private K-12 schools and higher education); local, state, or federal governments; city and regional planning agencies; non-profit organizations; etc.
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Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change to Program Policy: No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Degree Requirements
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Foundations: Nature and Society
Complete the following courses with a C (2.0) or better:
- GEOG 1100 - Physical Geography Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 1200 - Human Geography Credit Hours: 3
Foundations: Regional Environments and Cultures
Complete one of the following courses:
- GEOG 3300 - Geography of Europe Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3310 - Geography of Africa Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3330 - Appalachia: Land and People Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3340 - Historical Geography of the United States Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3350 - Geography of Latin America Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3380 - Geography of Asia Credit Hours: 3
Core Courses: Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Nature and Society
Complete the following courses:
- GEOG 2680 - Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences Credit Hours: 4
- (C or better grade required)
- GEOG 2710 - Introduction to Statistics in Geography Credit Hours: 3
- (C- or better grade required)
Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Nature and Society Elective
Complete two of the following courses:
- GEOG 3600 - Cartography I Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 3610 - Cartography II Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 3650 - Air Photo Interpretation Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3712 - Geographic Field Methods Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4660 - Principles of Remote Sensing Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4670 - Advanced Remote Sensing Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4710 - Quantitative Methods in Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4730 - Principles of GIS Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4740 - GIS Design and Application Development Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4750 - GIS and Landscape Analysis Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4760 - Advanced Spatial Analysis and GIS Applications Credit Hours: 4
Core Courses: Comprehending Societal and Environmental Interactions
Complete the following courses:
- GEOG 2060 - The Physical and Global Dimensions of Climate Change Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 2400 - Environmental Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3430 - Global Issues in Environment Credit Hours: 3
Electives: Contextualizing a Changing Climate
Complete four of the following courses:
- GEOG 3010 - Meteorology Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 3020 - Climatology Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 3150 - Landforms and Landscapes Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3160 - Biogeography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3210 - Population Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3250 - Political Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3260 - Urban Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3290 - World Economic Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3410 - Geography of Hunger and Food Security Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3440 - Agricultural Ecosystems Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3450 - Access to Water in a Changing World Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3460 - Environmental Law Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3500 - Land Use Planning Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3580 - Environmental Hazards Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4110 - Advanced Physical Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4130 - Arid Lands Physical Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4170 - Landscape Ecology Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4450 - Gender, Environment, and Development Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4470 - Natural Resource Conservation Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4520 - Environmental and Sustainability Planning Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4560 - The Just and Sustainable City Credit Hours: 3
Synthesizing Knowledge and Practice
Complete the following courses:
- GEOG 4799 - Foundations for Capstone Research in Geography Credit Hours: 1
- GEOG 4800 - Capstone Experience in Geography Credit Hours: 3
Optional Practicum or Research Experience
If interested in an optional internship or research experience, please consult with an advisor regarding GEOG 4910, GEOG 4940, GEOG 4941, GEOG 4942, GEOG 4943, GEOG 4944, GEOG 4945, or GEOG 4946.