Geography, B.S.
Program Description
Students complete a common core that gives a firm foundation in essential geographical knowledge which includes human geography, physical geography, geospatial techniques, statistics, and human/land relations.
Beyond the core, concentrations encourage a deeper understanding of the discipline and the relevant skills to address critical problems faced by humanity. These concentrations can be customized to the student's interests (Custom) or focus on a particular area within Geography (Applied Geographic Information Science; Environment, Conservation, Sustainability and Development).
Degree Requirements
| Degree Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education 1 | 41 |
| Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) | 3 |
| Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education) | 3-4 |
| Major requirements | 50 |
| Electives | 22-23 |
| Total | 120 |
- 1
The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credits may be fulfilled by courses required within the major. ISAT 251 for the math requirement in The Natural World is strongly recommended, as is GEOG 200 in American and Global Perspectives.
Major Requirements
In addition to the geography core courses, students must choose a concentration, listed in the "Concentrations" section. All courses for the major must be taken on a graded basis. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" in each of the core courses as they are prerequisites to most concentration courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GEOG 202 | Introduction to Your Geographical Future | 1 |
| GEOG 210 | Physical Geography (2, 2) | 4 |
| GEOG 215 | Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 3 |
| GEOG 216 | Earth Observation and Satellite Navigation Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 280 | Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape | 3 |
| GEOG 308 | Environment, Nature and Society | 3 |
| Advanced Sequence GEOG 400-level (selected in consultation with the advisor) 1,2 | 6 | |
| Subtotal | 23 | |
| Statistics Requirement | ||
| ISAT 251 | Topics in Applied Statistics in ISAT [C3QR] | 3 |
| or MATH 220 | Elementary Statistics [C3QR] | |
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Concentration | ||
| Students choose a concentration from the options listed below. | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 50 | |
- 1
For Honors students, the advanced sequence is GEOG 499A, GEOG 499B, GEOG 499C.
- 2
Students may opt for a capstone experience that entails three or six hours of independent research (GEOG 490), with the approval of and in close consultation with a project advisor.
Geography Concentrations
Applied Geographic Information Science (AGIS) Concentration
JMU geography graduates with an AGIS concentration are prepared to gain professional employment in government and industry, and to go on to graduate programs. Public agencies where they find employment include local and regional planning agencies, mapping organizations, intelligence agencies, and agencies focused on the environment and public land management. JMU AGIS graduates find opportunities in industry with many companies, including federal and local government contractors, geospatial software companies, companies that collect and process geospatial data such as satellite imagery and street map data, and environmental consulting firms. Multiple top graduate programs have accepted AGIS graduates to continue their studies in geography and other fields that relate to geospatial technologies.
In addition to the geography core requirements, students in the AGIS concentration must complete the following course work.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Geographic Information Science (AGIS) Concentration Courses | ||
| GEOG 365 | Cartography and Geospatial Visualization | 3 |
| GEOG 366 | Intermediate Geographic Information Science | 3 |
| GEOG 367 | Programming for Geographic Information Science | 3 |
| GEOG 385 | Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Electives | ||
| Up to one concentration-related course from another program may be used as an elective with the approval of the student's advisor. | ||
| Choose 9 credits of the following: | 9 | |
| Global Navigation Satellite Systems | ||
| Forest Inventory: A Geospatial Approach | ||
| Advanced Cartography | ||
| Topics in GIS | ||
| GIS and Geographic Databases | ||
| GIS Project Management | ||
| Applications of Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing | ||
| Advanced Cloud-Based Remote Sensing | ||
| Senior Research or Field Practicum | ||
| International Studies | ||
| Internship in Geography | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| AGIS Cognate Course | ||
| Choose 3 credits of the following: | 3 | |
| Geography: The Global Dimension [C4GE] | ||
| Introduction to Natural Disasters Response | ||
| Environmental Issues | ||
| Field Studies in Geography | ||
| Land Use Geography | ||
| Agricultural Systems | ||
| The Geography of Human Genetics, Infectious Diseases and Diet | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Climatology | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Weather, Climate and Society | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of East and Southeast Asia | ||
| Geography of Africa | ||
| Environmental Hazards: A Focus on Southeast Asia | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of the Philippine Islands: Problems and Possibilities | ||
| Geography of the Caribbean | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Wilderness Studies | ||
| Management and Protection of Natural Resources | ||
| Wildlife Management | ||
| Globalization and Development | ||
| Geography of Poverty | ||
| Indigenous Geographies | ||
| Topics in Geography | ||
| Global Navigation Satellite Systems | ||
| GIS for Humanitarian Assistance | ||
| Population Geography | ||
| Political Geography | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Feminist Geography | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Geography and Film | ||
| Environment, Landscape and Culture | ||
| Water Resources of the World | ||
| Sustainability: An Ecological Perspective | ||
| Dynamics of the Atmosphere | ||
| Advanced Biogeography | ||
| Climates Through Time | ||
| Senior Seminar in Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development | ||
| Sustainable Cities Seminar | ||
| Gendered Geographies | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Environmental Hydrology | ||
| Local Agriculture and Farm Internships | ||
| Political Ecology | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Geography Custom Concentration
In addition to the geography core requirements, students in the customized concentration must complete one the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Methods Course | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Field Studies in Geography | ||
| Wilderness Studies | ||
| Global Navigation Satellite Systems | ||
| Cartography and Geospatial Visualization | ||
| Intermediate Geographic Information Science | ||
| Programming for Geographic Information Science | ||
| Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing | ||
| Concentration Electives | ||
| Students will choose from a set of courses, approved by a program advisor, on the basis of how they fit together thematically and support the educational objectives of the geography program. Students must take a minimum of 21 credit hours at the 300 level or above (in addition to the methods course). At least 6 of these 21 credit hours must be at the 400 level or above. | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development Concentration
The Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development (ECSD) concentration focuses on the geographical contexts within which people and places interact. Required and elective course work allows students to explore spatial and temporal patterning between human communities and the natural environment at multiple scales. The curriculum addresses global issues such as global climate change and globalization; environment and human interactions including political, economic, physical and ethical factors; human and ecological aspects of sustainable development; natural resource management including energy, forests, wildlife and biodiversity; cultural ecology; regional geography; and population issues. JMU geography graduates with an ECSD concentration are prepared to gain professional employment and to go on to graduate programs.
In addition to the geography core requirements, students in the Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development concentration must complete the following course work.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Seminar Course | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Geography and Film | ||
| Environment, Landscape and Culture | ||
| Water Resources of the World | ||
| Sustainability: An Ecological Perspective | ||
| Dynamics of the Atmosphere | ||
| Advanced Biogeography | ||
| Climates Through Time | ||
| Senior Seminar in Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development | ||
| Sustainable Cities Seminar | ||
| Gendered Geographies | ||
| International Studies | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| ECSD Electives | ||
| These 300-level courses are identified on the concentration form, which will be reviewed and approved by the student's academic advisor. | ||
| In consultation with the academic advisor, a student may select one non-geography course as an elective. | ||
| Choose 18 credit of the following: | 18 | |
| Geography: The Global Dimension [C4GE] | ||
| Introduction to Natural Disasters Response | ||
| Environmental Issues | ||
| Field Studies in Geography | ||
| Land Use Geography | ||
| Agricultural Systems | ||
| The Geography of Human Genetics, Infectious Diseases and Diet | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Climatology | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Weather, Climate and Society | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of East and Southeast Asia | ||
| Geography of Africa | ||
| Environmental Hazards: A Focus on Southeast Asia | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of the Philippine Islands: Problems and Possibilities | ||
| Geography of the Caribbean | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Wilderness Studies | ||
| Management and Protection of Natural Resources | ||
| Wildlife Management | ||
| Globalization and Development | ||
| Geography of Poverty | ||
| Indigenous Geographies | ||
| Topics in Geography | ||
| Global Navigation Satellite Systems | ||
| GIS for Humanitarian Assistance | ||
| Population Geography | ||
| Political Geography | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Feminist Geography | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Forest Inventory: A Geospatial Approach | ||
| Geography and Film | ||
| Environment, Landscape and Culture | ||
| Water Resources of the World | ||
| Sustainability: An Ecological Perspective | ||
| Dynamics of the Atmosphere | ||
| Advanced Biogeography | ||
| Climates Through Time | ||
| Senior Seminar in Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development | ||
| Sustainable Cities Seminar | ||
| Gendered Geographies | ||
| Senior Research or Field Practicum | ||
| International Studies | ||
| Internship in Geography | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Environmental Hydrology | ||
| Local Agriculture and Farm Internships | ||
| Political Ecology | ||
| Subtotal | 18 | |
| Cognate Course | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cartography and Geospatial Visualization | ||
| Intermediate Geographic Information Science | ||
| Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 202 | Introduction to Your Geographical Future | 1 |
| GEOG 210 | Physical Geography (2, 2) 1 | 4 |
| GEOG 215 | Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 3 |
| GEOG 216 | Earth Observation and Satellite Navigation Systems 1 | 3 |
| GEOG 280 | Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Statistical Literacy [C3QR] 2 | 3 |
| General Education, B.S. degree requirements and electives | 13 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Second Year | ||
| GEOG 308 | Environment, Nature and Society (If ECSD concentration) | 3 |
| MATH 220 | Elementary Statistics [C3QR] | 3 |
| Minor and/or concentration requirements | 9 | |
| General Education, B.S. degree requirements and electives | 12 | |
| Credits | 27 | |
| Third Year | ||
| GEOG 308 | Environment, Nature and Society (If AGIS or custom concentration) 3 | 3 |
| Concentration and minor requirements | 18 | |
| General Education, B.S. degree requirements and electives | 12 | |
| Credits | 33 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Advanced sequence GEOG 400-level courses | 6 | |
| Concentration and minor requirements | 21 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
It is recommended that GEOG 210 and GEOG 216 not be taken during a student's first semester.
- 2
Enroll in MATH 105 if the ALEKS score is <46. If score placed the student into MATH 220, MATH 220 may be taken as early as the spring of the first year. Alternatively, ISAT 251 can be taken during the sophomore year.
- 3
It is recommended that GEOG 365 and GEOG 366 not be taken in the same semester.