Geography & Environmental Studies

Courses offered in Geography and Environmental Studies cover the physical and social sciences as well as geospatial techniques. The tracks below are suggested sets of courses that students might want to take according to their specific interests in the field of geography. If you have any questions about tracks, please contact a GES faculty member.

REQUIRED COURSES

NON-TRACK COURSES

Students who specialize in specific tracks pick a certain number of credits from these courses.

Regional Courses

Regional courses provide an understanding of select regions around the world through analysis of the historical, cultural, and environmental essence of place.

Tools Courses

Tools courses provide skills required for research, writing, and analysis in the social and natural sciences.

TRACKS

1. Human and Cultural Dynamics - pick two or more courses from Group A and pick five or more courses from Group B.

Students who choose this track will emerge with an in-depth understanding of the forces shaping human environments. Students explore urbanization, population growth and decline, ethnic and racial segregation, social equity, international migration, globalization, and the geography of American culture, from the built landscape to food, wine, and music. This track prepares students for careers with state and metropolitan governments in public policy, city planning, and regional development, as well as with international development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

2. Physical Systems - pick at least one course from Group A and pick four or more courses from Group B.

The Physical Systems track emphasizes systems such as the creation and distribution of landforms and soils, atmospheric movement as it relates to climate, and the factors related to the distribution of plant communities. After successfully completing this track, a GES graduate will have the background to work in such natural-resource oriented jobs such as park ranger/interpreter, physical science technician, natural resource manager, or an environmental educator.

3. Environmental and Sustainability Studies - pick at least one course from Group A and pick four or more courses from Group B.

Today’s college graduates are tomorrow’s leaders in how we can live sustainably on a finite planet. The Environmental and Sustainability Studies Track (ESS) emphasizes an array of geographical topics designed to address the needs of the 21st century: how to identify, connect with, and preserve certain places; what it means to value and conserve resources; and whether we should broadly embrace new goals of environmental restoration. With coursework primarily in human and environmental geography that includes fieldwork and experiential learning, the ESS track prepares students for a variety of post-graduate directions: in conservation or environmental advocacy, wildlife or land management, environmental analysis or consulting, public policy, or graduate studies.

Classes from other tracks - Depending on the number of courses you take from the first two groups above, you may also pick from the following classes to reach 21-22 credits: GES325: Climate Change; GES417: Writing Place; GES428: Plant Communities; GES432: Mountain Environments; GES456: Cultural/Political Ecology; GES461: Urban Geography; GES462: Race, Ethnicity, and Place; GES473: Geography of Population; GES 492: Geography of Food.

4. Geospatial - take both courses in Group A and pick four or more courses from Group B.

The Geospatial track prepares students to become experts in spatial analysis using the latest geospatial technologies. Students will become proficient in visualization, geographic information systems (GIS), image processing, and customization of GIS for programming, database development, and delivery via the internet. Students completing this track will be well prepared for a wide variety of jobs in both the private and public sector using GIS and related technologies.