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Geography B.S.

The general Geography B.S. degree (without concentration) is very flexible. In addition to meeting the core requirements for all geography majors, students may choose electives in geography (minimum 9 elective credits) from the subfields of regional geography, geographic methods and techniques, or systematic geography (physical geography, human-environment interaction, or geography and society).

W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Degree Specific Credits: 41-47

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.5

Catalog Year: 2021-22

General Education Requirements

Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog.

Summary

Introduction to Geography

7

Regional Geography Course

3

Geographic Methods

6

Upper Division Geography

6

Degree Electives

9

Capstone

1

Upper Division Writing

3

Science Course

3-4

Biology

Chemistry

College Chemistry

College Physics

Physics with Calculus

Mathematics Requirement

3-7

Math Fundamentals

Advanced Math

Total Hours

41-47

Introduction to Geography

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

7

GPHY 111N

Intro to Physical Geography

GPHY 112N

Intro to Phys Geography Lab

GPHY 121S

Human Geography

Total Hours

7

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Regional Geography Course

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following courses:

3

GPHY 141S

Geography of World Regions

GPHY 144

Glacier National Park in Winter

GPHY 241

Montana

GPHY 245

The Middle East

GPHY 342

North America

GPHY 344

Crown of the Continent

GPHY 347

Regional Geography (Multiple Regions)

GPHY 348

Field Studies in Geography

GPHY 444

High Asia

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Geographic Methods

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

6

GPHY 284

Intro to GIS and Cartography

GPHY 385

Field Techniques

Total Hours

6

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper Division Geography

Rule: Complete two upper division Geography courses – one must be a Physical Geography Course (see below) or other course approved by Advisor. GPHY 385 and upper-division Regional courses are excluded. 6 total credits required.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following courses:

3

ERTH 303N

Weather and Climate

GPHY 311N

Biogeography

GPHY 314

Global Mountain Environments

GPHY 317

Geomorphology

Complete one additional 3-credit upper-division Geography Course (GPHY 385 and regional courses excluded)

3

Total Hours

6

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Degree Electives

Code

Title

Hours

Complete 9 GPHY credits for a minimum of 32 GPHY credits for the degree.

9

Total Hours

9

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Capstone

Note: Seniors must enroll in GPHY 400 in fall, attend GPHY 500 in fall, and complete course requirements in spring.

Code

Title

Hours

Seniors must complete the following course:

GPHY 400

Geography Capstone

1

Total Hours

1

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper-Division Writing

Note:

  • These courses will also count toward the upper-division requirement.

  • Other science-based writing courses (e.g. GEO 320, GEO 499, BIOO 470, BIOO 475) may be approved by the advisor.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following courses:

3

GPHY 335

Water Policy

GPHY 433

Community Resilience

GPHY 499

Senior Thesis

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Science Course

Rule: Complete one of the following science courses. 3-4 total credits required. Science course must be approved by an advisor as appropriate to individual student's goals. Different science courses may be approved by the advisor.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following courses:

BIOE 172N

Introductory Ecology

BIOO 105N

Introduction to Botany

CHMY 121N

Introduction to General Chemistry

CHMY 123

Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

CHMY 141N

College Chemistry I

CHMY 143N

College Chemistry II

PHSX 205N

College Physics I

PHSX 207N

College Physics II

PHSX 215N

Fund of Physics w/Calc I

PHSX 217N

Fund of Physics w/Calc II

Total Hours

3-4

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Mathematics Requirement

Rule: Must complete 1 of the following subcategories. 3-7 total credits required.

Note:

  • Students may take M 115 and STAT 216, OR just one of M 162, M 171, or STAT 451.

  • M 171 is recommended.

Math Fundamentals

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

7

M 115

Probability and Linear Mathematics

STAT 216

Introduction to Statistics

Total Hours

7

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Advanced Math

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following courses:

3-4

M 162

Applied Calculus

M 171

Calculus I (recommended)

STAT 451

Statistical Methods I

Total Hours

3-4

Minimum Required Grade: C-