Geography

School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences
Department of Geography
(907) 474-7494
www.uaf.edu/snras/geography/

B.A., B.S. Degrees

Minimum Requirements for Degrees: 120 credits

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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.

Major--B.A. Degree

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the B.A. degree requirements.
3. 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 three 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 two 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 one of the following techniques courses:
      GEOG 309--Cartography--4 credits
      GEOG 408--Quantitative Research Techniques--3 credits
4. Complete approved electives--open
5. Minimum credits required--120 credits

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

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the B.S. degree requirements.
3. 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 428--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 one 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
4. Complete approved electives--open
5. 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

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 electives--8-9 credits
2. Minimum credits required--15 credits