GEOGRAPHY
Students in geography must complete both the core courses in geography and one of the seven options. This major is administered by the Department of Geography.
A student who elects one of the options in general human and physical geography, urban and social geography, historical and regional studies, or economic geography is encouraged to include MATH 124-Finite Mathematics and MATH 134-Calculus for Social Scientists as part of the undergraduate program. The options in physical environment, natural resource evaluation, and spatial graphics and analysis have specific mathematics requirements as follows.
MAJOR IN SCIENCES AND LETTERS CURRICULUM
Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equates to 42-57 hours including at least 30 hours of Geography courses.
General education: The LAS General Education requirements (see page 130) are set up so that students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements. The exceptions to this are the Campus Composition II and the Western Cultures requirements which must also be completed.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction. All students majoring in geography who have maintained a University grade-point average of 3.25 and who satisfactorily complete an independent project (GEOG 291) in their senior year will be eligible to graduate with distinction in geography. Students should consult their advisers about distinction requirements as soon as they enter the major (no later than the end of their junior year).
Students must complete the core requirements listed below and select one option in consultation with an academic adviser.
HOURS
REQUIREMENTS 11-12
Three introductory geography courses: Select one physical geography course: Select one human geography course: Select one additional course from physical or human geography 4
GEOG 271-Spatial Analysis 15-16
Required total core hours NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to elect GEOG 373-Map Compilation and Construction. Students are encouraged to elect techniques courses as part of their programs.
Techniques courses include:
GEOG 185-Introduction to Social Statistics GEOG 273-Spring Field Course GEOG 277-Interpretation of Aerial Photographs GEOG 290-Individual Study (Spatial Programming) GEOG 370-Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Geography GEOG 373-Map Compilation and Construction GEOG 377-Introduction to Remote Sensing GEOG 378-Techniques of Remote Sensing Image Analysis
General Human and Physical Geography Option
HOURS
REQUIREMENTS Geography courses, selected from 200- and 300-level courses, excluding GEOG 210, in: 6
6
3
Geography course selected in consultation with an adviser 12
Supporting courses chosen in consultation with the adviser, from the following: agronomy, agricultural economics, anthropology, atmospheric sciences, civil engineering, forestry, geology, history, landscape architecture, life sciences, political science, psychology, sociology, urban and regional planning NOTE: Students must complete at least 40 hours in the major including core courses.
Urban and Social Geography Option
HOURS
REQUIREMENTS 12
Geography courses chosen from: 3
Geography course selected in consultation with an adviser 12
Supporting courses chosen in consultation with the adviser, from the following: agricultural economics, anthropology, communications, economics, history, landscape architecture, political science, psychology, sociology, urban and regional planning Note: Students must complete at least 40 hours in the major including the core courses.
The Physical Environment (the Earth's Land and Biota) Option
HOURS
REQUIREMENTS 12
Geography courses chosen from 200- and 300-level physical geography courses (GEOG 203, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 315, 341). Students may choose geomorphologic, biogeographic, and climatic processes. 3
Geography course selected in consultation with an adviser Supporting courses: 5
MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I. Students in geomorphology must elect PHYCS 101; students in soils geomorphology must elect CHEM 101 and 102. 9-12
Courses in agronomy, anthropology, atmospheric sciences, civil engineering, forestry, geology, landscape architecture, and life sciences chosen in consultation with an adviser Note: Students must complete at least 46 hours in the major including the core courses.
Historical and Regional Studies Option
HOURS
REQUIREMENTS 12
Geography courses chosen from: 3
Geography course selected in consultation with an adviser 12-15
Supporting courses chosen in consultation with the adviser from African, Latin American, Russian and East European, or West European area studies; American civilization; or from architecture, history, landscape architecture, and urban and regional planning LANGUAGE Students specializing in the study of a foreign area should select an appropriate language in fulfilling the foreign language requirement. Note: Students must complete at least 40 hours in the major including the core courses.
Natural Resources Evaluation Option
HOURS
REQUIREMENTS 9
Geography course chosen from: 6-8
Geographic technique courses, choose from: 8
CHEM 101-General Chemistry, and CHEM 102-General Chemistry (Biological or Physical Version) 3
MATH 124-Finite Mathematics 4
MATH 134-Calculus for Social Scientists, I 6-9
Courses chosen in consultation with the adviser from agronomy, civil engineering, forestry, geology, and life sciences Note: Students must complete at least 55 hours in the major including the core courses.
Economic Geography Option
HOURS
REQUIREMENTS 15-17
Hours must include GEOG 205-Business Location Decision-Making Theory and Practice. Of the 15-17 hours, normally 9 hours will be chosen from the following: 4
ECON 101-Introduction to Economics 12-15
Choose courses in agricultural economics, civil engineering, economics, finance, political science, sociology, and urban and regional planning in consultation with an adviser. ECON 360 is highly recommended. Note: Students must complete at least 46 hours in the major including the core courses.
Spatial Graphics and Analysis Option
HOURS
REQUIREMENTS 15
Of the 15 hours, 9-12 are normally chosen from the following Geographic techniques: 3-6 Chosen from 200- and 300-level courses 5
MATH 112-Algebra, and MATH 114-Trigonometry ; also MATH 124-Finite Mathematics, and MATH 134-Calculus for Social Scientists are highly recommended. 12-15
Courses in art and design; civil engineering; communications; computer science; general engineering; landscape architecture; mathematics; and urban and regional planning chosen in consultation with the adviser Note: Students must complete at least 47 hours in the major including the core courses.
For All OptionsTwelve hours advanced level (300 and approved 200) courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.