2003-2004 UAF Catalog

School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management
Department of Geography
(907) 474-7494
www.geographyua.org

Minimum Requirements for Degrees: B.A.: 120 credits; B.S.: 120 credits

Geography provides an organized view of the earth as a whole and of its regions and human activities. Geography serves as a bridge between the natural and social sciences by studying the interrelationships between the earth's physical and biological systems, and how these environmental systems provide a natural resource base for human societies. Geographers are interested in patterns of human settlement, natural resources distribution, resources use and conservation. Geographers are interested in the sense of place among the peoples of the world.

Geographic methodologies include observation, measurement, description and analysis of places or areas including their likenesses, differences, interdependence and importance.

Geographic professions are diverse and include opportunities in mapping, remote sensing, demographics, international relations, landscape analysis, environmental assessment and planning, regional planning, and weather and climate analysis. Also, geography provides an excellent background for specialized or interdisciplinary graduate study.

The geography B.A. degree program provides a broad cultural background in the liberal arts, a geographic perspective based on world regions, preparation for teaching geography, earth science or social science in elementary or secondary schools, and technical training for professional geographic work in government, business or industry.

The geography B.S. degree is subtitled "environmental studies." The program provides the foundation necessary for understanding the natural and social environment, the analysis of environmental issues from an interdisciplinary geographic perspective, a diverse technical and scientific approach to environmental issues, and the ability to find balanced solutions to environmental problems.

Students may elect advanced work in geography, or other disciplines, to provide a concentration in either physical or social science. A minor in geography is also available.

Undergraduate Program

Major

Geography -- B.A. Degree

Complete the general university requirements.
Complete the B.A. degree requirements.
Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
1. Complete the following:
  GEOG 101 -- World Regional Geography (3)
  or GEOG 203 -- World Economic Geography (3) (3 credits)
  GEOG 205 -- Elements of Physical Geography (3 credits)
  GEOG 339 -- Maps and Landscape Analysis (3)
  or GEOG 401 -- Weather and Climate (3) (3 credits)
  GEOG 482W,O -- Geography Seminar (3 credits)
  GEOG elective (3 credits)
2. Complete 3 of the following regional courses:
  GEOG 302 -- Geography of Alaska (3 credits)
  GEOG 303 -- Geography of United States and Canada (3 credits)
  GEOG 305W -- Geography of Europe (3 credits)
  GEOG 306 -- Geography of Russia (3 credits)
  GEOG 311W -- Geography of Asia (3 credits)
  GEOG 427 -- Cold Lands (3 credits)
3. Complete 2 of the following cultural courses:
  GEOG 402 -- Resources and Environment (3 credits)
  GEOG 404W -- Urban Geography (3 credits)
  GEOG 405 -- Political Geography (3 credits)
4. Complete 1 of the following techniques courses:
  GEOG 309 -- Cartography (4 credits)
  GEOG 408 -- Quantitative Research Techniques (3 credits)
Complete approved electives open
Minimum credits required (120 credits)

Geography -- B.S. Degree (Environmental Studies)

Complete the general university requirements.
Complete the B.S. degree requirements (page 34).
Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
1. Complete the following:
  GEOG 101 -- World Regional Geography (3 credits)
  GEOG 205 -- Elements of Physical Geography (3 credits)
  GEOG 339 -- Maps and Landscape Analysis (3 credits)
  GEOG 401 -- Weather and Climate (3 credits)
  GEOG 402 -- Resources and Environment (3 credits)
  GEOG 408 -- Quantitative Research Techniques (3 credits)
  GEOG 482W,O -- Geography Seminar (3 credits)
2. Complete 6 credits from the following environmental studies electives:
  GEOG/NRM 463 -- Wilderness Concepts (3 credits)
  NRM 303X -- Environmental Ethics and Actions** (3 credits)
  NRM 407 -- Environmental Law (3 credits)
3. Complete 9 credits from the following environmental system electives:
  ANTH 428W -- Ecological Anthropology and Regional Sustainability*** (3 credits)
  BIOL 271 -- Principles of Ecology*** (4 credits)
  BIOL/NRM 277 -- Introduction to Conservation Biology*** (3 credits)
  GEOS 304 -- Geomorphology (3 credits)
  NRM 375 -- Forest Ecology*** (3 credits)
  NRM 380W -- Soils and the Environment*** (3 credits)
  NRM/FISH 400W -- Fisheries Science*** (3 credits)
4. Complete 3 credits from the following environmental management electives:
  FISH 401W,O/2 -- Fisheries Management*** (3 credits)
  NRM 365W -- Principles of Outdoor Recreation Management (3 credits)
  NRM 430 -- Resource Management Planning (3 credits)
  NRM/WLF 431 -- Wildlife Law and Policy*** (3 credits)
  NRM 450 -- Forest Management*** (3 credits)
  NRM 480 -- Soil Management for Quality and Conservation*** (3 credits)
5. Complete 1 of the following techniques courses:
  GEOG 301 -- Geographic Field Research Techniques (3 credits)
  GEOG 309 -- Cartography (4 credits)
  GEOG/NRM 338 -- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
Complete approved electives open
Minimum credits required (120 credits)

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.
** If used to fulfill core requirements, NRM 303X may not also count towards geography major.
*** Prerequisites required.

Minor

Complete the following:
GEOG 101 -- World Regional Geography (3)
or GEOG 203 -- World Economic Geography (3) (3 credits)
GEOG 205 -- Elements of Physical Geography (3 credits)
GEOG electives (8-9 credits)
Minimum credits required 15