Geography Undergraduate Degrees, Emphases & Certificates
Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers study where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the natural world. Geography is unique in how it bridges the social and natural sciences to address complex, real-world problems. Geographers develop knowledge and technical skills that enable them to better understand the world and have successful careers.
Why Study Geography?
In our rapidly changing, increasingly interconnected world, it’s becoming critically important to address issues like:
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Students will develop knowledge and cutting-edge technical skills—for example, with geographic information systems and remote sensing—that will prepare them to better understand and help solve such issues.
| what can you do with geography? | geospatial revolution |
Where Do Geography Graduates Go?
Many successfully pursue rewarding careers in education, business, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in positions like:
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Some undertake graduate study in Geography or areas such as:
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Degrees and Requirements
Requirements for the Geography major
Students must complete a minimum of seven (7) courses of Geography required coursework plus a minimum of five (5) Geography elective courses for a minimum total of twelve (12) required Geography courses. One 5000 level course must be included in the elective courses. Students choose their elective courses according to their interest/specialization area. All courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade and completed with a C- or better.
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) demonstrates proficiency in math while a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) demonstrates proficiency in a second language. A B.S. degree requires two Quantitative Intensive (QI) courses, and a B.A. degree requires fourth semester proficiency in a second language.
Geography BS / HBSGEOGRAPHY BA / HBA
Residency Requirement
Students must complete at least 18 credit hours in the Department of Geography at the University of Utah.
Allied Credit Requirement
12 credit hours of allied coursework are also required. These courses will generally be in the student’s interest/specialization area and can be done in any of the following departments: Atmospheric Sciences; Biology; Chemistry; City and Metropolitan Planning; Civil Engineering; Computer Science; Geology; Math; Parks, Recreation and Tourism; Philosophy; Physics; or any department** in the College of Social and Behavioral Science. **(Aerospace Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Ethnic Studies, Family and Consumer Studies, Gender Studies, Health Society and Policy, Military Science, Naval Science, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology)
Requirements for the Geography Minor
Students must complete a five (5) courses of Geography required coursework plus a minimum of two (2) courses of upper division (3000 level or above) Geography elective courses.
A fillable worksheet for the minor is located here.
Minor Information SheetResidency Requirement
Students must complete at least 12 credit hours in the Department of Geography at the University of Utah.
All courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade and completed with a C- or better.
Requirements for the Geography Teaching Minor
Teaching minors must coordinate Geography requirements with the requirements of the Secondary Education licensure program of the Education Department.
Students must complete a seven (7) courses of Geography required coursework plus a teaching methods course. A grade of C or better must be achieved in all coursework.
Minor Information SheetResidency Requirement
A minimum of 12 credit hours must be taken in residence at the University of Utah Department of Geography.
Undergraduate Degree Specializations
Certificates
The outcome of this emphasis area is an individual trained in the skills required for solving common applications of GIS and related geocomputational techniques. This certificate combines skills and knowledge of three domains: i) substantive geography and basic geospatial analytical techniques from the undergraduate degree in geography; ii) GIS skills obtained through GIS coursework, and; iii) basic software skills for solving computational problems in science and engineering. The certificate takes approximately 1.5 to 2 years to complete. Students must book an advising appointment with the Geography undergraduate advisor by clicking the "Book Now" bubble on the Home page.
The outcome of this emphasis area is an individual trained in the skills required for solving common applications of remote sensing and related geocomputational techniques. This certificate combines skills and knowledge of three domains: i) substantive geography and basic geospatial analytical techniques from the undergraduate degree in geography; ii) specialized remote sensing analysis skills, not available through the Applied GIS emphasis, obtained through advanced remote sensing coursework, and; iii) basic software skills for solving computational problems in science and engineering.
Human alteration of Earth's climate is an accepted scientific fact (Anderegg et al., 2010; IPCC, 2007; Oreskes, 2004). As a result of the politicization of the issue and poor communication by the scientific community, the public and private sectors have gained limited knowledge of how the climate system operates, the science of climate change research, and societal impacts of these changes. As the impacts of climate change become more severe over the coming years and decades, companies, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations will be required to adapt and respond to climate change. Scientifically-based, up-to-date knowledge is essential to formulating adaption and response strategies. A certificate in climate change is marketable evidence of this essential knowledge.
As extreme events increase at all scales due to population growth in hazardous areas, the rise of terrorism and climate-change, there's a growing need for highly-trained people to address issues in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Utah is essentially a real-world hazards lab and home to many environmental hazards including extreme weather, avalanches, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, landslides, and hazardous materials releases. To address this need the Department created an undergraduate Certificate in Hazards & Emergency Management. The hazards tradition in Geography began with Merrill Ridd's class on Wasatch Hazards in the late 1970s, and Fred May ran a very successful FEMA-approved certificate program in the 1990s as Director of the Center for Natural & Technological Hazards. This new certificate will continue this tradition. The proposed program will provide students with cutting-edge knowledge about hazards, emergency management, and geospatial technologies.