Geography, Applied (BS)
This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2019–Spring 2020 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Geography
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Geography
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab
Program Information
Geographers investigate the character and possible associations between a subject and its environment. The Department of Geography and Geosciences educates students to view the world in a spatial and time-dependent context to determine relationships between people and their immediate and global environment.
The department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in four different concentrations:
- Environmental Analysis: designed for students who are interested in the environment and environmental sustainability.
- Geospatial Technologies: designed for students who are interested in developing geospatial technologies like GIS and remote sensing.
- Human and Cultural Dynamics: designed for students interested in the forces that shape human environments like population trends, sustainable development, ethnic and racial segregation, globalization and geopolitics.
- Urban Analysis: designed for students interested in the various processes that shape urban environments.
Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.
Degree Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | 31 | |
| College/School Requirements | 13-15 | |
| Program/Major Requirements 1 | 57-62 | |
| Track Requirements | 15-18 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 121 | |
| 1 | Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. |
Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.
Departmental Admission Requirements
There are no specific admission requirements for this degree plan. The Application for Major form can be found on the Arts & Sciences Advising Center website.
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | 31 | |
| The following courses are required by the program and can satisfy the respective General Education Requirement: | ||
| Human Geography in a Changing World - D2, SB | ||
| Globalization and Diversity - D2, SB | ||
| The Global Environment - S | ||
All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above). Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.
College/School Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & Sciences Requirements | ||
| GEN 100 | Student Success Center Orientation | 1 |
| or GEN 101 | Arts and Sciences Orientation | |
| Foreign Language 2 | 6-8 | |
| Electives in Natural Sciences or Humanities at the 300 level or above 3 | 6 | |
| WR—two approved courses at the 300 level or above 4 | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 13-15 | |
Program/Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Geography and Geosciences | ||
| GEOG 200 | Human Geography in a Changing World - D2, SB | 3 |
| GEOG 256 | Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Geography and Geosciences | 3 |
| GEOG 300 | Globalization and Diversity - D2, SB | 3 |
| GEOG 350 | Introduction to Mapping and Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
| GEOG 356 | Introduction to Spatial Statistics | 3 |
| GEOG 361 | Sustainable Human Environments - WR 3 | 3 |
| GEOG 441 | Senior Thesis Proposal - WR 3 | 3 |
| GEOG 442 | Senior Thesis - CUE, WR 3 | 3 |
| GEOG 558 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEOS 200 | The Global Environment - S | 3 |
| Electives in Geography or Geosciences at 300 level or above | 6 | |
| Track Requirements | 15-18 | |
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Electives in Social Sciences, other than Geography, at the 300 level or above | 6 | |
| Minimum Electives 5 | 15-20 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 72-80 | |
Only 60 hours in the major department may be applied toward the Bachelor of Science degree.
At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Culminating Undergraduate Experience (Graduation requirement) | ||
| Requirement fulfilled by completing: | ||
| Senior Thesis - CUE, WR | ||
| 1 | Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. |
| 2 | Completion of the second semester of a single foreign language; hours will vary depending on the language taken |
| 3 | May be incorporated into other degree requirements |
| 4 | Fulfills WR requirement. |
| 5 | Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree. |
Track Requirements
Track in Environmental Analysis
Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_ENV
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Foundation | ||
| GEOG 340 | Environmental Conflict in the United States: Historical Foundations & Contemporary Problems - D1, SBH | 3 |
| GEOS 360 | Global Environmental Change | 3 |
| Environmental Specialization | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Geology for Scientists and Engineers | ||
| Climate Science | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Natural Hazards | ||
| Water Resource Management | ||
| GIS and Water Resources | ||
| Introduction to Remote Sensing | ||
| Geography and Human-Environment Interactions | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 15 | |
Track in Geospatial Technologies
Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_GST
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Geospatial Technologies Foundation | ||
| GEOG 355 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEOG 385 | Introduction to Programming for GIS and Spatial Data Analysis | 3 |
| GEOS 367 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| Geospatial Technologies Specialization | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| GIS and Public Health | ||
| Transportation Geography | ||
| GIS & Urban Demographic Analysis | ||
| Advanced Remote Sensing | ||
| Advanced Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Spatial and Non-Spatial Database Management | ||
| GIS and Water Resources | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 18 | |
Track in Human and Cultural Dynamics
Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_HCD
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Human and Cultural Dynamics Foundation | ||
| GEOG 320 | Geopolitics | 3 |
| GEOG 331 | Population Geography | 3 |
| Human and Cultural Dynamics Specialization | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Race and Place | ||
| Globalization Seminar | ||
| Urbanism in the Global South: Cities and Space | ||
| Medical Geography | ||
| Food and Race | ||
| Geography and Human-Environment Interactions | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 15 | |
Track in Urban Analysis
Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_URA
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Analysis Foundation | ||
| GEOG 327 | Economic Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 328 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| Urban Analysis Specialization | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Population Geography | ||
| Urbanism in the Global South: Cities and Space | ||
| Geography of Urban Issues | ||
| Transportation Geography | ||
| GIS & Urban Demographic Analysis | ||
| GIS and Retail Site Analysis | ||
| Sustainable Transportation | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 15 | |
Flight Plan
Track in Environmental Analysis
Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS ENV
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEN 100 or GEN 101 |
Student Success Center Orientation or Arts and Sciences Orientation |
1 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC | 3 |
| Foreign Language 1 | 3-4 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH | 3 | |
| GEOS 200 | The Global Environment - S | 3 |
| Hours | 13-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR | ||
| Foreign Language 2 | 3-4 | |
| GEOG 200 | Human Geography in a Changing World - D2, SB | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC | 3 | |
| GEOG 256 | Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Geography and Geosciences | 3 |
| GEOG 300 | Globalization and Diversity - D2, SB | 3 |
| GEOG 350 | Introduction to Mapping and Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities US Diversity - AHD1 | 3 | |
| GEOG 356 | Introduction to Spatial Statistics | 3 |
| GEOG 558 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 340 | Environmental Conflict in the United States: Historical Foundations & Contemporary Problems - D1, SBH | 3 |
| GEOS 360 | Global Environmental Change | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG 361 | Sustainable Human Environments - WR | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences with Lab - B | 4 | |
| Humanities/Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Environmental Analysis Track Course | 3 | |
| General Elective | 2 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Environmental Analysis Track Course | 3 | |
| Environmental Analysis Track Course | 3 | |
| Geography/Geosciences Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Humanities or Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Geography/Geosciences Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| GEOG 441 | Senior Thesis Proposal - WR | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Social Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| GEOG 442 | Senior Thesis - CUE, WR | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective (if needed) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 121-123 | |
Track in Geospatial Technologies
Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS GST
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEN 100 or GEN 101 |
Student Success Center Orientation or Arts and Sciences Orientation |
1 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC | 3 |
| GEOS 200 | The Global Environment - S | 3 |
| Foreign Language 1 | 3-4 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH | 3 | |
| Hours | 13-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities - AH | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 2 | 3-4 | |
| GEOG 200 | Human Geography in a Changing World - D2, SB | 3 |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC | 3 | |
| GEOG 256 | Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Geography and Geosciences | 3 |
| GEOG 300 | Globalization and Diversity - D2, SB | 3 |
| GEOG 350 | Introduction to Mapping and Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
| GEOG 355 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Humanities or Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| GEOG 356 | Introduction to Spatial Statistics | 3 |
| GEOG 558 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEOS 367 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities US Diversity - AHD1 | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences with Lab - B | 4 | |
| GEOG 361 | Sustainable Human Environments - WR | 3 |
| Geospatial Technologies Track Course | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Humanities or Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Geospatial Technologies Track Course | 3 | |
| Geospatial Technologies Track Course | 3 | |
| GEOG 385 | Introduction to Programming for GIS and Spatial Data Analysis | 3 |
| Geography/Geosciences Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG 441 | Senior Thesis Proposal - WR | 3 |
| Geography/Geosciences Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 442 | Senior Thesis - CUE, WR | 3 |
| Social Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 121-123 | |
Track in Human and Cultural Dynamics
Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS HCD
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEN 100 or GEN 101 |
Student Success Center Orientation or Arts and Sciences Orientation |
1 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 1 | 3-4 | |
| GEOS 200 | The Global Environment - S | 3 |
| Hours | 13-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities - AH | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 2 | 3-4 | |
| GEOG 200 | Human Geography in a Changing World - D2, SB | 3 |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Humanities/Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC | 3 | |
| GEOG 256 | Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Geography and Geosciences | 3 |
| GEOG 300 | Globalization and Diversity - D2, SB | 3 |
| GEOG 350 | Introduction to Mapping and Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 331 | Population Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 356 | Introduction to Spatial Statistics | 3 |
| GEOG 558 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities US Diversity - AHD1 | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG 320 | Geopolitics | 3 |
| GEOG 361 | Sustainable Human Environments - WR | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences with Lab - B | 4 | |
| Human & Cultural Dynamics Track Course | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Humanities/Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Human & Cultural Dynamics Track Course | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Human & Cultural Dynamics Track Course | 3 | |
| Geography/Geosciences Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Social Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| GEOG 441 | Senior Thesis Proposal - WR | 3 |
| Geography/Geosciences Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 442 | Senior Thesis - CUE, WR | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective (if needed) | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 121-123 | |
Track in Urban Analysis
Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS URA
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEN 100 or GEN 101 |
Student Success Center Orientation or Arts and Sciences Orientation |
1 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC | 3 |
| Foreign Language 1 | 3-4 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH | 3 | |
| GEOS 200 | The Global Environment - S | 3 |
| Hours | 13-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities - AH | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 2 | 3-4 | |
| GEOG 200 | Human Geography in a Changing World - D2, SB | 3 |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC | 3 | |
| GEOG 256 | Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Geography and Geosciences | 3 |
| GEOG 300 | Globalization and Diversity - D2, SB | 3 |
| GEOG 327 | Economic Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 350 | Introduction to Mapping and Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity - AHD1 | 3 | |
| GEOG 356 | Introduction to Spatial Statistics | 3 |
| GEOG 558 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Humanities or Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences with Lab - B | 4 | |
| GEOG 361 | Sustainable Human Environments - WR | 3 |
| GEOG 328 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| Urban Analysis Track Course | 3 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Humanities or Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Urban Analysis Track Course | 3 | |
| Urban Analysis Track Course | 3 | |
| Geography/Geosciences Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG 441 | Senior Thesis Proposal - WR | 3 |
| Geography/Geosciences Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 442 | Senior Thesis - CUE, WR | 3 |
| Social Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 121-123 | |
Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan. What-if reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan. Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.
To create either report:
- Log into your ULink account.
- Click on the Student Services tab.
- Next, click on "View my Academic Advisement Report" to run a Degree Audit report in the Undergraduate Advising area.
- To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."
Click here to run a Degree Audit report, or create a What-if report.
Flight Planner
Based on your major, the Flight Planner tool may be available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan. The Flight Planner can be found in the ULink Student Center. Consult with your advisor for assistance with the Flight Planner.
