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).

Bachelor of Science - Geography

W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Catalog Year: 2022-23

Note: The Bachelor of Science in Geography requires 36 credits in GPHY courses.

General Education Requirements

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

Summary

Introduction to Geography7
Regional Geography Course3
Geographic Methods6
Upper Division Geography6
Degree Electives9
Capstone1
Advanced Writing3
Science Course3-4
Mathematics Requirement 3-7
Total Hours41-46

Degree Specific Credits: 41-46

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.5

Introduction to Geography

Complete all of the following courses:7
Intro to Physical Geography: Climate, Landforms, and Vegetation
Intro to Physical Geography Laboratory: Climate, Landforms, and Vegetation
Human Geography
Total Hours7

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Regional Geography Course

Complete one of the following courses:3
Geography of World Regions
Glacier National Park in Winter
Montana
The Middle East
North America
Crown of the Continent
Regional Geography (Multiple Regions)
Field Studies in Geography
High Asia
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Geographic Methods

Complete all of the following courses:6
Intro to GIS and Cartography
Field Techniques
Total Hours6

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.

Complete one of the following courses:3
Weather and Climate
Biogeography
Global Mountain Environments
Geomorphology
Complete one additional 3-credit upper-division Geography Course (GPHY 385 and regional courses excluded)3
Total Hours6

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Degree Electives

Complete 9 GPHY credits for a minimum of 32 GPHY credits for the degree.9
Total Hours9

 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.

Seniors must complete the following course:
GPHY 400Geography Capstone1
Total Hours1

Minimum Required Grade: C- 


Advanced Writing

Notes:

  • These courses will also count toward the upper-division credit requirement.
  • Other science-based writing courses (e.g. GEO 320, GEO 499, BIOO 470, BIOO 475) may be approved by the advisor.
Complete one of the following courses:3
Water and Sustainability
Community Resilience
Senior Thesis
Total Hours3

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.

Complete one of the following courses:3-4
Introductory Ecology
Introduction to Botany
Introduction to General Chemistry
Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
College Chemistry I
College Chemistry II
College Physics I
College Physics II
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus I
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus II
Total Hours3-4

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Mathematics Requirement

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

Notes:

Math Fundamentals

Complete all of the following courses:7
Probability and Linear Mathematics
Introduction to Statistics
Total Hours7

 Minimum Required Grade: C-

Advanced Math

Complete one of the following courses:3-4
Applied Calculus
Calculus I (recommended)
Statistical Methods I
Total Hours3-4

Minimum Required Grade: C-