Degree Requirements
Geography Major
Geography Minor
Geography Teaching Major
Geography Teaching Minor
Social Science Teaching Major
Undergraduate Advising
Geography Description
Geography is the study of the Earth as home to humanity. This involves human and environmental phenomena as well as their interrelationships. Geographers are concerned with the problems of an increasingly crowded and connected world such as rapid urbanization and urban sprawl, uneven economic development, regional and global-scale migration, the globalization of the economy, and the role of transportation and telecommunication technologies in these phenomena. They also study physical environmental processes such as climate changes over multiple time scales, the influence of climate change on phenomena as diverse as glaciers and wildfire, the dynamic evolution of landscapes and geomorphology, and the impact of all of these on the distribution of life on the planet. A unique aspect of geography is a concern with interactions between humans and environment apparent in issues such as climate change, environmental justice, sustainable development and human vulnerability to natural and technological hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, avalanches and terrorist attacks.
Geographers use a variety of tools to gather, analyze and communicate geographic data information. A centerpiece of any geographic study is the map. However, this 4000 year-old technology is undergoing a major revolution with the rise of computer-based geographic information systems (GIS), satellite and airborne remote sensing and geo-spatial technologies such as the global positioning system (GPS). Geographers also use statistics, modeling and computer-based simulation when analyzing human and physical phenomena, as well as field-based methods. Graduates with a B.A. or B.S. degree from the Geography Department may find positions with state or federal agencies, private businesses, or (with proper certification) in teaching.
The Geography Department has well equipped research laboratories and houses the Digitally Integrated Geographic Information Technologies Laboratory (DIGIT Lab), a major GIS and geospatial technologies research and production facility. DIGIT Lab specializes in customized GIS development, spatial databases, cartography, satellite imagery, and spatial analysis. The Department also houses the Center for Natural and Technological Hazards (CNTH) as a point of focus on hazard analysis, policy, and mitigation. The Donald R. Currey Paleoenvironmental Research Group includes several research laboratories studying aspects of past environments. A geomorphology lab focuses on landforms and how they represent changes in past climate with particular interest on the Bonneville basin and fluctuations in The Great Salt Lake over time. The RED (Records of Environment and Disturbance) Lab conducts research on past environments as recorded in sediments, with particular focus on lakes and wetlands. Proxies of past change (pollen, charcoal, plant and insect remains) are examined from the sediment record and interpreted to describe changes in forest composition, fire regime, and insect population over thousands of years. A geomorphology lab focuses on landforms and how they represent changes in past
climate with particular interest on the Bonneville basin and fluctuations in The
Great Salt Lake over time. The Snow Optics Laboratory (SOL) integrates field,
modeling, and remotely sensed analysis of the past, present and future state of
mountain snow cover. SOL is a state of the art facility with a walk-in freezer
for experiments and microtomography of snow microstructure and optical
properties, a hyperspectral reflectance of snow and other surfaces, and optical
spectrometers for the analysis of dust and soot optical properties. The
Department also maintains a growing library of software for computer mapping, GIS, image processing, spatial statistical analysis, geocomputation and computer simulation.
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Undergraduate Program
Degree. B.A., B.S. in geography.
Geography Major and Minor.
Course requirements for a geography degree move students through a core curriculum and expose them to foundational perspectives in human geography, physical geography and geographic methods. From there, students are encouraged to pursue, with the consultation of an advisor, one of the following specialization areas.
International Regional Geography.
This specialization area emphasizes human interactions and cultures at the global scale, as well as variations in social, cultural, economic and physical factors that shape the international arena. Students may construct an individual program with the International Regional Geography area advisor, George Hepner.
Urban and Economic Geography.
This area focuses on human geographic phenomena such as urban growth, economic development, migration, demography, the globalization of the economy, health and disease, and the role of transportation and telecommunication technologies in shaping these phenomena. Students may construct an individual program with the Urban and Economic Geography area advisor, Thomas Kontuly.
Environmental Geography/Earth System Science.
This specialization focuses on physical environmental processes such as climate change, the influence of climate change on phenomena as diverse as glaciers, wildfire, ecology and life, and the dynamic evolution of landscapes and geomorphology. Students may consult with Andrea Brunelle, the area advisor in Environmental Geography/Earth System Science, to develop an individual program in this area.
The Geographic Information Science specialization focuses on the development and application of geospatial technologies and methodologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, the global positioning system (GPS), spatial analysis and computer-based modeling and simulation. Students are urged to consult with Thomas Cova, the area advisor in Geographic Information Science.
Hazards and Emergency Management.
This emphasis area concerns natural hazards (such as earthquakes, wildfires, avalanches, hurricanes and floods), technological hazards (such as toxic materials, pollutants, terrorist attacks) and management and policy responses to mitigate and recover from hazards and disasters. Students interested in these topics should consult with Thomas Cova, the area advisor in Hazards and Emergency Management.
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The Geography Major
Departmental Requirements.
Students must complete eight (8) required core courses (see below) plus a minimum of five (5) Geography elective courses. At least one 5000-level course must be included in the elective courses. All geography courses must be taken for a letter grade of C- or better.
Resident requirement: Students must complete at least 18 hours in the Department of Geography.
Allied Courses.
Twelve (12) credit hours in allied courses are required. These will generally be in the student’s interest/emphasis area and may be taken in any College of Social and Behavioral Science department*, as well as Biology, Geology, Meteorology, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Parks, Recreation & Tourism or Urban Planning. *(Aerospace Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Family and Consumer Studies, Gender Studies, Military Science, Naval Science, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology)
Program of Study
Required Core Courses:
GEOG 1000 Earth Environments & Global Change (3)
GEOG 1010 Introduction to Geographic Data (1)
GEOG 1400 Human Geography (3)
GEOG 3020 Geographical Analysis (3)
GEOG 3040 Principles of Cartography (4)
Require-One of the Following:
GEOG 3200 Geomorphology: Mtns., Rivers, Deserts (4)
GEOG 3205 Regional and Global Climates (3)
GEOG 3210 Global Climate Change (3)
GEOG 3290 Water in Utah (3)
GEOG 3292 Snow and Ice (3)
GEOG 3310 Introduction to Natural Hazards (3)
Require-One of the Following:
GEOG 3350 Resource Conservation & Environ. Mgt. (3)
GEOG 3420 Political Geography (3)
GEOG 3440 Global Economic Geography (3)
GEOG 3480 Urban Geography (3)
GEOG 3620 Geography of North America (3)
Require-One of the Following:
GEOG 3270 Biogeography: Global Patterns of Life (4)
GEOG 3400 Population Geography (4)
Elective Coursework:
Five (5) courses of geography elective coursework (including at least one 5000-level course).
Note: Check the Department of Geography course descriptions in the University of Utah Bulletin (General Catalog) for course prerequisites when choosing electives.
Allied Courses:
Twelve (12) credit hours in any of the above list of approved departments.
Total Credits: minimum thirteen (13) geography courses and twelve (12) Allied credit hours.
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The Geography Minor
Departmental Requirements. Students must complete four (4) required core courses (listed below) plus a minimum of three (3) upper division (3000-level or above) geography elective courses. All geography courses must be taken for a letter grade of a C- or better. Resident requirement: Students must complete at least 12 hours in the Department of Geography.
Program of Study
Required Core Courses:
GEOG 1000 Earth Environments & Global Change (3)
GEOG 1010 Introduction to Geographic Data (1)
GEOG 1400 Human Geography (3)
GEOG 3040 Principles of Cartography (4)
Elective:
Three (3) additional courses of upper division geography coursework.
Total Credits: min. seven (7) geography courses
Note: Check the Department of Geography course descriptions in the University of Utah Bulletin (General Catalog) for course prerequisites when choosing electives.
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The Geography Teaching Major.
Teaching majors must coordinate Geography requirements with the requirements of the Secondary Education licensure program of the Teaching and Learning Department.
Departmental Requirements.
Students must complete twelve (12) courses of required geography coursework (see list below) plus at least one (1) geography elective course at the advanced 5000-level for a minimum of thirteen (13) required geography courses. A grade of C- or better must be achieved in all coursework. Resident requirement: A minimum of 18 hours must be taken in residence at the University of Utah Geography Department.
Allied Credit Requirement:
Twelve (12) credit hours of allied coursework are also required. These courses can be done in any of the following departments: Biology; Geology; Meteorology; Civil Engineering; Computer Science; Parks, Recreations and Tourism; Urban Planning, or any department* in the College of Social and Behavioral Science. *(Aerospace Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Family and Consumer
Studies, Gender Studies, Military Science, Naval Science, Political Science,
Psychology, Sociology)
Program of Study
Required Core Courses:
GEOG 1000 Earth Environments & Global Change (3)
GEOG 1010 Introduction to Geographical Data (1)
GEOG 1300 World Regional Geography (3)
GEOG 1400 Human Geography (3)
GEOG 3020 Geographical Analysis (3)
GEOG 3040 Principles of Cartography (4)
GEOG 3140 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
GEOG 3600 Geography of Utah (3)
GEOG 5700 Teaching Methods in Geography (3)
OR TL 5180 Secondary Social Studies Methods (3)**
OR TL 5170 Secondary Science Methods (3)**
**One of these courses may be substituted for GEOG 5700, but the credit hours will not be counted as GEOG hours and it will not fulfill the 5000-level requirement. Students substituting with a TL course will need to complete the hours with an additional geography elective course.
Require-One of the Following:
GEOG 3200 Geomorphology: Mtns., Rivers, Deserts (4)
GEOG 3205 Regional and Global Climates (3)
GEOG 3210 Global Climate Change (3)
GEOG 3290 Water in Utah (3)
GEOG 3292 Snow and Ice (3)
GEOG 3310 Introduction to Natural Hazards (3)
Require-One of the Following:
GEOG 3350 Resource Conservation & Environ. Mgt. (3)
GEOG 3420 Political Geography (3)
GEOG 3440 Global Economic Geography (3)
GEOG 3480 Urban Geography (3)
GEOG 3620 Geography of North America (3)
Require-One of the Following:
GEOG 3270 Biogeography: Global Patterns of Life (4)
GEOG 3400 Population Geography (4)
Electives
Enough additional geography courses to total a minmum of thirteen (13), including one (1) elective course at the 5000-level.
Note: Check the Department of Geography course descriptions in the University of Utah Bulletin (General Catalog) for course prerequisites when choosing electives.
Certification Course Work
Students must complete pre-cohort and cohort education course work listed under Secondary Education . Also, please reference the licensure program outline for a Geography Teaching major.
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The Geography Teaching Minor.
Teaching minors must coordinate Geography requirements with the requirements of the Secondary Education licensure program of the Teaching and Learning Department.
Departmental Requirements.
Students must complete seven (7) courses of required Geography courses (see list below). A grade of C- or better must be achieved in all coursework. Resident requirement: A minimum of 12 credit hours must be taken in residence at the University of Utah Geography Department.
Program of Study
Required Core Courses:
GEOG 1000 Earth Environments & Global Change (3)
GEOG 1010 Introduction to Geography Data (1)
GEOG 1300 World Regional Geography (3)
GEOG 1400 Human Geography (3)
GEOG 3040 Principles of Cartography (4)
GEOG 3600 Geography of Utah (3)
GEOG 5700 Teaching Methods in Geography (3)
OR TL 5180 Secondary Social Studies Methods (3)**
OR TL 5170 Secondary Science Methods (3)**
**One of these courses may be substituted for GEOG 5700, but the credit
hours will not be counted as GEOG hours. Students substituting with a TL course will
need to complete the hours with an additional upper division geography elective course.
Certification Course Work
Students must complete pre-cohort and cohort education course work listed under Secondary Education.
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The Social Science Teaching Major.
To view the program requirements and program of study for the College of Social and Behavioral Science’s (CSBS) Social Science Teaching Major, click here.
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Undergraduate Advising.
Students who have questions pertaining to majors and minors in the Department of Geography should consult with
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. To set up an advising appointment regarding course and schedule advisement, call
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at (801) 581-8218.
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