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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog | 20253

PDF of Geography, B.S.

Earth Science

Programs

Geography

Programs

Geography, B.S. major
Earth Science Emphasis

Required Credits: 48
Required GPA: 2.25

I REQUIRED CORE COURSES

Complete the following courses:

II EARTH SCIENCE EMPHASIS

REQUIRED EMPHASIS CORE

Complete the following courses:

EARTH SCIENCE ELECTIVES
Select 3 courses from the following, or related upper
division courses as approved in advance by advisor:

III SPATIAL METHODS ELECTIVES

Select 1 of the following courses:

Program Learning Outcomes | Geography, B.S. 

1. Geographic Understanding: Students will have an understanding of the nature of Geography as an academic discipline, including familiarity with its history and principal sub-fields, concepts are introduced in Geog 1400, and core courses.

2. Thematic Geographic Knowledge: Students will demonstrate understanding of Geography as a spatial science within its various sub-disciplines.

  2.1. Competence in the Basic Concepts of Human Geography: Students will show proficiency in this area by meeting specific performance metrics in Geog 2200 and another upper division Human Geography Elective.

  2.2. Competence in the Basic Concepts of Physical Geography: Students will show proficiency in this area by meeting performance metrics in Geog 2100 and another upper division Physical Geography Elective.

  2.3. Competence in the Basic Concepts of Economic Geography: Students will show proficiency in this area by meeting performance metrics in Geog 2300. 

  2.4. Competence in the Basic Concepts of Planning: Students will show proficiency in this area by meeting performance metrics in Geog 2400 and another upper division Planning Courses. 

3. Understanding the Basic Concepts of Geospatial Analysis: Students will show proficiency in this area by meeting performance metrics all classes requiring both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

  3.1. Demonstrate confidence with GIS Software: Demonstrate a competency in selected geographic techniques and/or methods: Relevant Courses: Geog3231, Geog3232, Geog 4275.

  3.2. Apply GIS skills in a related Geography Course: Demonstrate the ability to use and integrate GIS into research and project development non-GIS classes.

4. Basic Understanding of Regional Concepts: Students will appreciate how Geography’s unique spatial perspective is essential for understanding historical, cultural, and demographic patterns in different world regions. Upper Division Regional courses, Geog3810, 3820, 3830, 3850.

5. Effective Communication: Students will display competency in written expression with respect to clarity, logical expression, and effective argument.

6. General Geographic Research Skills: Students will apply basic research skills, including the ability to {a} critically evaluate the research of others and {b} develop a coherent, thoughtful analysis of these findings. (Typically applies to shorter paper projects, not full term projects for the assessment criteria)

  6.1. Competence in Geographic Research: Conceive, develop and produce a term project that involves a précis or abstract, an annotated bibliography and a review of academic literature presented in a coherent, well-developed articulate thesis or independent study project. (Assessments suited to full term projects).

7. Practical Experience - Internship: Students will acquire knowledge and skills sufficient to allow one to pursue advanced study in Geography or find employment in Geography-related fields, including but not limited to those involving urban and regional planning.