Major in Geography

The Geography major is housed in the Department of Anthropology. Through coursework and internship opportunities, majors are provided with a broad background in geographic thinking. The traditional geographic focus of understanding the dynamic interaction between humans and the environment in an era of rapid global change is emphasized in the major. Critical study of the diverse relationships that exist among space, place, humans, and the built and natural environment are explored to reveal and interpret the spatial and temporal distribution of geographic features and processes.

The Geography curriculum also concentrates specifically on mountain ecosystems, and the interaction between humans and mountain environments. Coursework takes advantage of faculty expertise in these areas of study, some of which are specific to the state of Colorado. Geography faculty use a wide range of research methods, including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, spatial modeling, and spatial statistics to address applied research questions in the Arctic, Antarctic, Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, Southeast Asia, Mesoamerica, Melanesia, and southern South America. Undergraduate majors can expect to gain knowledge of and/or participate in faculty research related to:

1. Climate change implications for society and ecosystems
2. Land-use and land-cover change
3. Critical human geography
4. Biogeography
5. Livelihood systems
6. Conservation
7. Cultural geography
8. Urban geography
9. Glaciology
10. Economic geography
11. Political/electoral geography
12. Geography of virtual worlds

The Geography major is built on the core values the Department of Anthropology promotes. These values emphasize experiential training, primary research, and public engagement and education.

Learning Outcomes:

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. The ability to identify, describe, and interpret spatial patterns and structures.
3. A critical understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment, with a specific focus on mountain systems and local cultures.
4. An ability to present geographic concepts, approaches, methodologies, and applications in written, oral, cartographic, and other visual forms.
5. An understanding of the discipline’s relevance to everyday life.

Potential Occupations:

Like many other majors in Liberal Arts, the Geography major provides students with a broad academic background suitable for a variety of jobs in the public and private sectors. Geography majors are trained to think independently and critically, communicate effectively, and function in a multicultural world. Careers for graduates are available in international development, education, natural resource management, and business. Graduates who go on to advanced studies can pursue academic careers in geography. 

Effective Fall 2019

1	Additional Humanities: Select a total of 6 credits, which must include two subject codes from the following: ART, D, CO, E, ETST, L***, MU, PHIL, SPCM, TH, WS.
2	Additional Natural Sciences: Select a total of  6 credits, which must include two subject codes from the following: AA, BC, BMS, BZ, CHEM, CS, CT, GEOL, LIFE, MATH, NR, NSCI, PH, SOCR, and STAT.
3	Additional Social Sciences: Select a total of 9 credits, which must include at least two subject codes from the following: ECON, HIST, INST, JTC, POLS, PSY, SOC.
4	GR 431 may also fulfill this requirement, but GR 431 must be taken concurrently with GR 430.
5	Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).