Bachelor of Science with a Major in Geography
Geography is often described as the science of space, place, and the human-environment interface. Its fundamental subject matter is people and their environments--it serves, therefore, as a bridge between the physical and social worlds. It is an integrative discipline in which scholars endeavor to understand the role of humans in producing the social and biophysical worlds in which they live. Geographic knowledge can be applied to explain cultural and political conflicts, environmental policies and practices, human landscapes, and economic well-being. Modern geographical analysis typically involves cartographic and geospatial techniques (GIS) and both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Geographers study interactions between: people and places, society and natural environments, and local and global processes. They also investigate the influence of space (e.g. distance, locale or setting, boundaries, etc.) on social and physical processes. Therefore, most geographers begin answering questions about Earth’s phenomena by endeavoring to understand locations of particular things, why they are there, and how they got there.
Geographers address some of the world’s most urgent questions, including:
- How to create sustainable cities and regions?
- What are the causes and impacts of climate change?
- How and why are ecologies, economies, and cultures changing through globalization?
- How is economic inequality in cities and towns connected to global processes?
- Why and how is mapping so important to so many activities, from classrooms to corporate boardrooms?
- What are the geographical effects of the growing use of social media?
- How are geographic information systems (GIS) used to address environmental and social challenges?
Consider the "Courses" tab to see what is required to graduate with a BS in Geography. For a minor, 15 credits of 3000 level or higher in geography is required.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program map, which provides a guide for students to plan their course of study, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
You can choose to specialize in one of three directions:
Career Opportunities
Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Geography
External Resource
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
Most courses are delivered face to face with a small selection of courses being offered that are hybrid (partially online) or fully online.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 120
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
Core Requirements - 60 credits
Core Areas A-E - 42 credit
- Area A must have MATH 1113
- Area D must have Option II
- Area F - 18 credits
- GEOG 1013 World Geography
- GEOG 2083 Introduction to Geographical Analysis
- MATH 2063 Introductory Statistics OR MATH 1634 Calculus
- Two Laboratory Science courses from Geography, Geology, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
- Additional courses as necessary
Major Requirements - 60 credits
Human Geography Concentration
All of the following - 12-21 credits
- GEOG 1112 Weather & Climate OR GEOG 1113 Landform Geography (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 2503 Cultural Geography (if not taken in Area E)
- GEOG 2553 Introduction to GIS and Mapping Science (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 3010 Political Geography
- GEOG 3253 Economic Geography
- GEOG 2643 Urban Geography
- GEOG 4084 Geography Senior Seminar
Three of the following - 9 credits
- GEOG 4085 Selected Topics in Regional Geography
- GEOG 3405 Geographies of Sustainability
- GEOG 3644 Atlanta’s Geographies
- GEOG 4253 Seminar in Economic Geography
- GEOG 4500 Moral Geographies
- GEOG 4643 Seminar in Urban Geography
- 3000/4000 level hours from any GEOG: 9 credits
- Minor and/or electives: 21-30
Major Requirements - 60 credits
Environmental Sustainability Concentration
All of the following - 18-24 credits
- GEOG 1112 Weather & Climate (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 2505 Human Impacts on the Environment
- GEOG 2553 Introduction to GIS and Mapping Science (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 3405 Geographies of Sustainability
- GEOG 4086 Internship
- GEOG 4400 Energy & Sustainability
- GEOG 4700 Global Environmental Change
- GEOG 4084 Geography Senior Seminar
Two of the following- 6 credits
- GEOG 3253 Economic Geography
- GEOG 3643 Urban Geography
- GEOG 3713 Meteorology
- GEOG 3800 Biogeography
- GEOG 3900 Ecological Climatology
- GEOG 4103 Geography of Soils and Water
- GEOG 4500 Moral Geographies
- GEOG 4900 Dendrochronology
- 3000/4000 level hours from approved courses: 9 credits
- Minor and/or electives: 21-27
Major Requirements - 60 credits
Physical Geography Concentration
All of the following - 3-14 credits
- GEOG 1112 Weather & Climate (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 1112L Weather & Climate Lab (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 1113 Landform Geography (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 1113L Landform Geography Lab (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 2553 Introduction to GIS and Mapping Science (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 4084 Geography Senior Seminar
Four of the following - 12 credits
- GEOG 3713 Meteorology
- GEOG 3723 Physiography in the United States
- GEOG 3800 Biogeography
- GEOG 3900 Ecological Climatology
- GEOG 4103 Geography of Soils and Water
- GEOG 4400 Energy and Sustainability
- GEOG 4700 Global Environmental Change
- GEOG 4800 Advanced Topics in Biogeography
- GEOG 4900 Dendrochronology
- 3000/4000 level hours from any GEOG - 12 credits
- Minor and/or electives: 22-33
Major Requirements - 60 credits
Geographic Information Science Concentration
All of the following- 15-21 credits
- GEOG 1112 Weather & Climate OR GEOG 1113 Landform Geography (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 2553 Introduction to GIS and Mapping Science (if not taken in Areas D or F)
- GEOG 3563 Introduction to Remote Sensing
- GEOG 4553 Geographic Information Systems
- GEOG 4554 Computer Cartography
- GEOG 4084 Geography Senior Seminar
Three of the following- 12 credits
- GEOG 4562 Airphoto Interpretation & Photogrammetry
- GEOG 4564 Introduction to Image Processing
- GEOG 4753 Advanced GIS & Spatial Analysis
- GEOG 4755 GIS Database Design
- GEOG 4757 Programming & Customization in GIS
- GEOG 4893 Practicum in GIS
- 3000/4000 level hours from GEOG, GEOL CS, POLS, MGNT, or CISM - 12 credits
- Minor and/or electives: 15-21
Downloads
General
An introduction to GIS, mapping and geospatial sciences. Topics include introductory GIS, map projections, land partitioning systems, map reading, map analysis, GPS, map making, aerial photography, and remote sensing. This course will guide students to GIS, mapping sciences and emerging geospatial technologies.
This course introduces the principles of remote sensing and explores the practical integration of remote sensing with geographic information systems.
Georgina DeWeese, Ph.D.
Professor of Geography
Hannes Gerhardt, Ph.D.
Professor of Geography
Andrew Ivester, Ph.D.
Limited-term Instructor of Geography
Shea Rose, Ph.D.
Professor & Program Coordinator of Geography (Atmospheric Science Focus)
Jeong Seong, Ph.D.
Professor of Geography
Andy Walter, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of University College and Professor of Geography
Guidelines for Admittance
Specific requirements are associated with the following areas:Freshman Adult Learners Transfer International Home School Joint / Dual Enrollment Transient Auditor Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree Seeking Readmission
Application Deadlines
Undergraduate Priority Deadlines
Fall Semester - June 1
Spring Semester - November 15
Summer Semester - May 15
Admission Process Checklist
Check your Application Status
Contact
Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for additional information.
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate only), Financial Aid, Fee Payments, Registration, Start/End of term, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
- Demonstrate a general knowledge of relationships between social and environmental phenomena and processes
- Demonstrate fundamental awareness of geographic dimensions, phenomena, and processes
- Demonstrate competence in geographic analyses, geographic information systems, and geographic visualization
- Demonstrate understanding of the patterns and processes of physical environment
- Demonstrate an ability to construct and present an argument based on evidence
- Demonstrate competence in physical data measurement, handling, and processing