Geography Major (B.A.)
https://cola.unh.edu/geography/program/ba/geography
The geography major provides undergraduates with a solid foundation in geography by uniting social and biophysical sciences, humanities and technology to examine the factors that make a place or environment unique. Connecting academic inquiry to real-world problem solving, you will develop critical thinking skills and be prepared to transfer classroom and field experience into a wide range of careers.
With interests ranging from globalization to climate change and sustainability, urbanization to community development at home and abroad, UNH geography graduates have gone on to careers in urban, regional and transportation planning, community development, environmental conservation and natural resources management, sustainability science, geographic information science, market research, locational analysis, population studies, foreign aid, international diplomacy and education.
Students intending to major in geography should consult with the department chairperson.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
To earn a bachelor of arts in geography, students must complete 10 geography courses with a minimum grade of C- minus.
Students complete foundation courses intended to provide a basic understanding of human, physical, and world regional geography. It is recommended the courses be taken as early as possible in a student's program. Students also complete required skills courses, which provide the basic analytical and technical skills used in georgraphy, electives and a capstone course.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Foundation Courses | ||
GEOG 401 | World Regions: Europe and the Americas | 4 |
or GEOG 402 | World Regions: Asia and Africa | |
GEOG 572 | Geography of the Natural Environment | 4 |
GEOG 580 | Human Geography: People and Places | 4 |
Skills Courses | ||
GEOG #590 | Field Research | 4 |
GEOG 591 | Making Maps: GIS Fundamentals | 4 |
Elective Courses | 16 | |
Select four courses from the electives list below (may be any geography courses, excluding 401 or 402) 1 | ||
There Is No Planet B | ||
Elements of Weather | ||
China: People, Politics and Economy | ||
Geography of the Middle East | ||
Sub-Saharan Africa: Environmental Politics and Development | ||
Natural Hazards and Human Disasters | ||
Geography of the Natural Environment | ||
Global Landscapes and Environmental Processes | ||
Society, Environment and Justice | ||
Global Trade and Local Development | ||
Political Geography | ||
Making Maps: GIS Fundamentals | ||
Climate and Society | ||
Political Ecology | ||
Capstone | 4 | |
Select one 600-level Writing Intensive course from: | ||
Climate and Society | ||
Political Ecology | ||
Total Credits | 40 |
Geotechniques
Students interested in geographic information systems, remote sensing, locational analysis and other geographic techniques may specialize in Geotechniques by completing three 700-level methods courses in Geography (GEOG 750-769).
The following is a sequence of major coursework that will complete the Geography major in four years. Courses can be taken in any sequence and may be completed in shorter timeframes.
First Year | Credits | |
---|---|---|
GEOG 401 or GEOG 402 | World Regions: Europe and the Americas or World Regions: Asia and Africa | 4 |
Credits | 4 | |
Second Year | ||
GEOG 580 | Human Geography: People and Places | 4 |
GEOG 572 | Geography of the Natural Environment | 4 |
GEOG 591 | Making Maps: GIS Fundamentals | 4 |
Credits | 12 | |
Third Year | ||
GEOG Elective | 4 | |
GEOG Elective | 4 | |
GEOG Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Fourth Year | ||
GEOG #590 | Field Research | 4 |
GEOG 600-level WI Course | 4 | |
GEOG Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Total Credits | 40 |
- Integrate biophysical and socio-cultural disciplinary traditions to explain the complex interrelationships between and among human-natural systems spanning local to global scales.
- Communicate geographic concepts, research, and methods of analysis professionally and effectively through written products, oral presentations, and visualizations appropriate for the intended audience.