The minor in Geography examines the critical interactions among space, place, people and the built and natural environment.  These perspectives are used to interpret the spatial and temporal distribution of features and processes by applying spatial techniques and information technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will demonstrate:

  1. Mastery of the unifying themes of human and physical geography, as well as knowledge of the diverse conceptual and methodological approaches present in the discipline of geography.
  2. Ability to identify, describe, and interpret spatial patterns and structures.
  3. Critical understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment, with a specific focus on mountain systems and local cultures.
  4. Ability to present geographic concepts, approaches, methodologies, and applications in written, oral, cartographic, and other visual forms.
  5. Understanding of the discipline’s relevance to everyday life.

Effective Fall 2022

Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.

Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.

Core Courses
GR 100Introduction to Geography (GT-SS2)3
GR 320Cultural Geography3
Select at least one techniques course from the following: 13-4
GR 323/NR 323
Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
GR 420
Spatial Analysis with GIS 2
NR 322
Intro. to Geographic Information Systems 2
Selected Courses
Select enough credits from the following courses to bring program total to a minimum of 21 credits. At least 8-9 of the credits selected here must be GR and/or ANTH courses: 111-12
ANTH 330
Human Ecology
ANTH 479/IE 479
International Development Theory and Practice
ESS 210/GR 210
Physical Geography
GEOL 454
Geomorphology
GES 192
Global Environmental Sustainability Seminar
GES 470
Applications of Environmental Sustainability
GR 102
Geography of Europe and the Americas (GT-SS2)
GR 110
Introduction to Physical Geography (GT-SC2)
GR 111
Introduction to Physical Geography Lab (GT-SC1)
GR 204/WR 204
Sustainable Watersheds (GT-SC2)
GR 213
Climate Migrants (GT-SS2)
GR 217
Human-Environment Geographies (GT-SS2)
GR 220
Mapping, Cartography, and Spatial Thinking
GR 305
Geography of Global Health
GR 323/NR 323
Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
GR 330
Urban Geography
GR 345
Geography of Hazards
GR 410
Climate Change: Science, Policy, Implications
GR 415
The Geography of Commodities
GR 418
Development Geographies
GR 420
Spatial Analysis with GIS 2
GR 430
Land Change Science and Remote Sensing
GR 431
Land Change Science Lab (Must be taken with GR 430.)
GR 440/POLS 440
Political Geography
HIST 355
American Environmental History
NR 322
Intro. to Geographic Information Systems 2
SOC 320
Population-Natural Resources and Environment
SOC 460
Environmental and Natural Resource Sociology
Program Total Credits:21
1

Credit for the techniques course requirement may not double count toward the minor.

2

Credit is not allowed for both GR 420 and NR 322.