Geography, Minor

Geography is the study of human activity, and the environment it takes place in, as it varies across space. Thus, geographers analyze the complex interactions that take place between people, culture, society, and place, and they investigate the impacts that people have on the natural world as well as our responses to environmental change caused by natural factors and human activity. Geographers create maps that illustrate these relationships by using geospatial analysis techniques and technologies (such as geographic information systems) that utilize a wide range of data that are either remotely sensed or collected at the earth’s surface. Because of the wide scope of geography, the discipline is strongly linked with fields in the social sciences, natural sciences, computing, and business. 

Learning in the Discipline

The Geography major integrates the study of interactions that take place between people, culture, society and place with the acquisition of data analysis and geospatial technology skills. Students who successfully complete the Geography people will develop the ability to:

• Analyze and compare spatial phenomena and the underlying processes that shape them.
• Examine and understand human-environment interactions and their impacts at various spatial and temporal scales.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills related to geographic knowledge. 
• Use geospatial technologies to integrate, manage, process, analyze and visualize spatial and statistical data.

Experiential and Applied Learning

Through completion of an internship or engagement in undergraduate research, all Geography majors will develop the ability to:

• Effectively collaborate on projects and exhibit professional judgment, responsibility and dependability.
• Students who choose the undergraduate research option will also develop the ability to:
• Conduct a research project that incorporates a sound research plan, appropriate methods of data collection and analysis, and effective communication of results.
• Upon completion of this degree, graduates will be prepared for employment in an area that requires analytic and geospatial technology skills or for graduate studies that focus more narrowly on one or more geographic sub-disciplines.