General Geography Option

Brief Description:
The General Geography option is a 40-42 credit hour track for those wishing to pursue a rigorous training in modern geography without specializing in the human or physical side of the discipline.  Students are required to take 15-16 hours from the geography core courses: these are Geography 101 (Geography of Developing Countries), Geography 102 (Weather and Climate), Geography 103 (Earth’s Physical Systems), Geography 104 (Social and Cultural Geography), and Geography 371 (Spatial Analysis).  They may select any three from Geog 101, Geog 102, Geog 103, and Geog 104, but must take Geog 371 (Spatial Analysis); they are also strongly encouraged to take Geography 473 (Cartography).  Selection from the core courses will provide students with a broad-based introduction to a selection of the principal thematic issues in modern geography, as well as provide them with instruction in contemporary methodological approaches within the discipline.  Thereafter, students must select a further 15 credit hours in geography drawn from the department’s 200, 300 and 400 level course offerings: 6 hours of which must be taken at the 300 or 400 level.  In addition to the required geography course selections, students must take a further 12 credit hours in consultation with the geography advisor

Core Requirements
HOURS REQUIREMENTS
11-12 Students must select 3 of the following four courses:
Geog 101 Geography of Developing Countries
Geog 102 Weather and Climate
Geog 103 Earth’s Physical Systems
Geog 104 Social and Cultural Geography
Students must take:
4 Geog 371 Spatial Analysis

Note: Students are strongly encouraged to take Geog 373 – Map Compilation and Construction.  Students are encouraged to elect techniques courses as part of their programs. Technique courses include:
Geog 280 Introduction to Social Statistics
Geog 373 Spring Field Course
Geog 460 Interpretation of Aerial Photographs
Geog 390 Individual Study (Spatial Programming)
Geog 470 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
Geog 473 Map Compilation and Construction
Geog 477 Introduction to Remote Sensing
Geog 478 techniques of Remote Sensing Image Analysis
Geog 479 Principles of Geographic Information Systems

³15 200, 300 and 400 level geography courses (of which 6 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level)

³12 Supporting courses selected with approval of the Department of Geography Undergraduate Advisor

Note: students must complete at least 40 hours in the major including core courses.