Geography, B.S.

Visit the Earth Science Department page for more information on the program and access to advising.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Geography (BS-GEOG) enables students to evaluate critical relationships and changes in society and the environment over time and space through an interdisciplinary approach. The program helps students study Earth’s places, peoples, and environments that bridges physical and social science disciplines. It equips students to investigate a variety of concepts, such as land use and land cover change, climate change, geographic inequality, and sustainability. The program prepares students to use qualitative and quantitative tools and geospatial technology to analyze spatial patterns and human-environment relationships on Earth. It offers students the opportunity to further focus their studies on the physical sciences, social sciences, or geospatial technologies to better prepare themselves for their future career and/or educational goals.

Program Requirements

¹

You need at least 40 hours of upper division credit to graduate.  Work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting the 40 credits of upper division requirement.

²

Courses used for GE distribution credits cannot double count as core or elective classes. 

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 120 semester credits, including 40 hours of upper-division credit.
2. Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
3. Grade of C- or better in every ENVT, GEO, GEOG, METO, and core curriculum course.
4. Residency hours--minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
5. Completion of an exit interview with the department chair and a Qualtrics Exit Survey prior to graduation.
6. Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
7. Successful completion of at least two Writing Enriched (WE) courses.

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Semester 1		Credit Hours
GEOG 1000	Introduction to Physical Geography	3
MATH 1050	College Algebra	4
ENGL 1010	Introduction to Academic Writing	3
American Institutions		3
	Credit Hours	13
Semester 2
Personal, Professional and Civic Growth		3
GEOG 1300G	Survey of World Geography	3
ENGL 2010	Intermediate Academic Writing	3
STAT 2040	Principles of Statistics	4
	Credit Hours	13
Second Year
Semester 3
GEOG 1400G	Introduction to Human Geography	3
GEOG 2000	Sustainability and Environment	3
GEOG 3200	Geography of Utah	3
GEOG 3600	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	4
Core Elective		3
	Credit Hours	16
Semester 4
Humanities Distribution		3
Life Science Distribution		3
Core Elective		3
GEOG 3650	Advanced Geographic Information Systems	4
Fine Arts Distribution		3
	Credit Hours	16
Third Year
Semester 5
GEO 4800R	Earth Science Seminar	0.5
GEOG 3500 & GEOG 3505	Geomorphology and Geomorphology Lab	4
Core Elective		3
Core Elective		3
Core Elective		4
	Credit Hours	14.5
Semester 6
GEOG 3110	Urban Geography	3
Core Elective		3
Core Elective		4
Core Elective		4
Core Elective		3
	Credit Hours	17
Fourth Year
Semester 7
GEO 4800R	Earth Science Seminar	0.5
Core Elective		4
Core Elective		4
Core Elective		4
Core Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15.5
Semester 8
Core Elective		3
Core Elective		3
Core Elective		3
Core Elective		3
Core Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15
	Total Credit Hours	120

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesize the interconnections between physical and human systems, environment and society, and the applications of geography across spatial and temporal scales.
2. Interpret quantitative and qualitative geographic data using geospatial technologies.
3. Evaluate causes, consequences, and possible solutions to relevant, persistent, contemporary, and emerging global issues using an interdisciplinary, scientific perspective.
4. Communicate scientific data and geographic topics through technical and creative writing, the production of figures, maps, and public and scientific presentations.
5. Collaborate with others through discussion, team problem solving, and group research to build interpersonal and leadership skills.