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Duluth Campus

Geography B.A.

Geography & Philosophy
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2016
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 41
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Geography is distinctive in that it bridges the social sciences and the natural sciences. The two main branches of geography are human geography and physical geography. Human geography is concerned with the spatial aspects of human existence, while physical geography focuses on patterns of climate, landforms, vegetation, soils and water. Our Geography program trains students for employment in careers requiring knowledge of geography or the use of geographic techniques, and it prepares them for graduate studies. Career opportunities for students with a degree in geography include environmental assessment, public and private sector planning, geographic education, travel and tourism, cartography and geo-visualization, business and industrial research, location analysis, community activism, geographic information sciences, and a variety of other activities requiring geographic expertise. Honors Requirements: Candidates must have a 3.00 overall GPA and a 3.30 in the major. An honors project and paper must be completed in GEOG 4999. Students who wish to have such work considered for honors must complete a departmental form prior to the second semester of their senior year. Completed projects and papers must be approved by the sponsoring faculty member and other members of the department.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
Required prerequisites
Introductory Requirement (1 cr)
Transfer students with 24 or more credits and current UMD students who change colleges to CLA are exempt from this requirement. New first-year students with 24 or more PSEO credits may request to be waived from this requirement.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community (1.0-2.0 cr)
General Requirements
  1. Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the departments and colleges or schools in which they are enrolled including an advanced writing course. Students seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. However, two degrees cannot be awarded for the same major.
  2. Students must complete all requirements of the Liberal Education Program or its approved equivalent.
  3. Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits completed in compliance with University of Minnesota Duluth academic policies with credit limits (e.g., Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory Grading Policy, Credit for Prior Learning, etc).
  4. At least 30 semester credits must be earned through UMD, and 15 of the last 30 credits earned immediately before graduation must be awarded by UMD.
  5. At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that satisfy major requirements (major requirements includes all courses required for the major, including courses in a subplan) through UMD.
  6. If a minor is required, students must take at least three upper division credits in their minor field from UMD.
  7. For certificate programs, at least 3 upper-division credits that satisfy requirements for the certificate must be taken through UMD. If the program does not require upper division credits students must take at least one course from the certificate program from UMD.
  8. The minimum cumulative University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for graduation is 2.00 and includes only University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00 is required in each UMD undergraduate major, minor, and certificate. No academic unit may impose a higher GPA standard to graduate.
  9. Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and certification will be withheld until all financial obligations to the University have been met.
Program Requirements
1. A second field of study (either a minor or another major). 2. Foreign language study is recommended, but not required, for all geography students, especially those interested in cultural geography or considering graduate study. Students interested in the technical/techniques aspects of geography should consult with their adviser about elective courses that would support their focus in geography.
Lower Division Core (13 cr)
GEOG 1202 {Inactive} [LE CAT8, LEIP CAT08, GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
GEOG 1304 {Inactive} [LE CAT6, LECD CAT06, SOC SCI] (3.0 cr)
GEOG 2552 {Inactive} [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (3.0 cr)
GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)
or EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)
Upper Division Core (12 cr)
GEOG 3532 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)
GEOG 4612 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)
GEOG 4803 - Geographic Thought (3.0 cr)
GEOG 4990 - Geography Seminar (1.0 cr)
Electives (12 cr)
Take at least 4 different GEOG courses for a minimum total of 12 credits. Only 6 credits from the following will count towards the major: GEOG 3991, 3995, 3997, 4999, 5991. (Other GEOG 1xxx-5xxx level courses may apply here.)
Take 4 or more course(s) totaling 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GEOG 2305 - Geography of Cultural Diversity [CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 2306 {Inactive} [LE CAT] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 2313 - Economic Geography [LE CAT6, SOC SCI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3334 - Urban Geography (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3335 - Urban Planning (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3370 - Geographies of Development (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3401 - Weather and Climate (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3422 - Natural Hazards (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3461 - Geography of Global Resources (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3481 - The Ecology of Cities (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3712 - Geography of Latin America (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 4393 - Political Geography (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 4446 - Water Processes and Management (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 4451 - The Geography of Soils (4.0 cr)
· FORS 3167 - GEOG 3167 Cultural Geography of Iceland (3.0 cr)
· FORS 3205 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· FORS 3800 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)
· Optional Elective
Take at most 6 credit(s) from the following:
· GEOG 3991 - Independent Study (1.0-3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3995 - Special Topics: (various titles to be assigned) (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3997 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 4999 - Honors Project (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5991 - Independent Study in Geography (1.0-4.0 cr)
Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)
WRIT 31xx - Adv Writing (3 cr)
 
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· College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2018

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· Geography B.A.

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· Geography B.A.
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UST 1000 - Learning in Community
Credits: 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0]
Course Equivalencies: EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Credit will not be granted if already received for EHS 1000.
GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
The environment is highly dynamic and is continually modified by human and environmental processes. This course examines these processes to better understand how the Earth's landscapes were formed and how they are currently being transformed. Specifically, students will understand the fundamental processes that govern the physical environment including Earth-sun relations, water resources, landforms, weather and climate, natural vegetation, and soils.
EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: EES 1110 FST 1409
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Earth systems science is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the processes operating within and the interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. In this course we investigate the changing nature of the Earth; its composition, architecture, and antiquity; the internal and external processes that shape it through time; cycles of energy and matter; the development of life and impact of human activity; and both local environmental issues and global change. For students using a 2012-2021 LEP catalog year, the GEOL subject is now EES. If you took GEOL 1610, EES 1110 will not fulfill the requirement of a different subject. Credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 1110
GEOG 4803 - Geographic Thought
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Development and significance of geographic concepts and thought. History and intellectual roots of contemporary geography, geographers, and geographic institutions. prereq: 60 credits or grad student or instructor consent
GEOG 4990 - Geography Seminar
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Presentation and discussion of current geographic research, including but not limited to human/physical geography, environments and sustainability, urban geography and planning, and GIS applications. prereq: Geography major or minor and minimum 90 credits; no grad credit, credit will not be granted if already received for Geog 5999.
GEOG 2305 - Geography of Cultural Diversity (CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
This course utilizes social scientific approaches to cultural diversity in the United States to develop a critical understanding of the geography of our unequal society. We examine why humans spatially segregate themselves into racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, how meaning is constructed around these differences, and how the politics of difference are expressed geographically. Credit will not be granted if already received for GEOG 2405
GEOG 2313 - Economic Geography (LE CAT6, SOC SCI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Contemporary geographic pattern analysis of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Development of geographic theories and models that attempt to explain spatial variations of economic activities such as agriculture, manufacturing, and trades and services.
GEOG 3334 - Urban Geography
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
As the world becomes more urbanized there seems to be less distinction between global problems and urban problems. Analysis of the relationship between urbanization and other aspects of our modern world such as economic globalization, increased levels of international migration, and warfare. Examine how global dilemmas can be seen in the national and international issues. Pay particular attention to the everyday struggles that occur in the households and neighborhoods of cities as people attempt to care for themselves and their families in this rapidly changing world. prereq: Minimum 30 credits or instructor consent
GEOG 3335 - Urban Planning
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Urban planning explores the purpose, practice, and theories of modern community planning for the promotion of social and economic well-being. The causes of urban problems, and the tools planners can use to solve them will be investigated. Special focus will be paid to citizen participation and how the voices of community members can be heard in the planning process. prereq: Minimum 30 credits
GEOG 3370 - Geographies of Development
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
This class examines the global geography of wealth and poverty, i.e., why some places are very rich while others are very poor. The impacts of colonialism, the Cold War, globalization, overpopulation, and ecological and climate change are explained, and the prospects for a more just future are considered. prereq: Minimum 30 credits
GEOG 3401 - Weather and Climate
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Weather and climate are critical to both Earth systems and human societies, yet they are frequently misunderstood. The goal of this course is to develop a scientific understanding of atmospheric processes and how they are responsible for weather events and climatic patterns. Atmospheric composition, structure, and motion are studied, along with precipitation processes, air masses, fronts, cyclonic storms, and the the distribution and classification of climates. prereq: 1414 or GEOL 1110 or 1130 or instructor consent
GEOG 3422 - Natural Hazards
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Geography of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and droughts; human-physical environment interrelationships under extreme geophysical conditions; causes, characteristics, and consequences of natural hazards; human adjustment to natural hazards. Prereq: 1414 or Geol 1110, or minimum 30 credits or instructor consent.
GEOG 3461 - Geography of Global Resources
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Spatial distribution and uses of global natural resources addressed through models of resource management, focusing on energy, non-fuel minerals, population, food, and technology. Theoretical approach and political perspective applied to trade, international economic development, and environmental issues. prereq: Minimum 30 credits or instructor consent
GEOG 3481 - The Ecology of Cities
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
By 2050, over three-quarters of the world's population will live in urban environments. To accommodate this transition, it is critical that we understand the relationship between nature and people within cities. This course will introduce the theoretical, practical, and policy-related aspects of urban systems, and the challenges and solutions to developing sustainable cities. prereq: Minimum 30 credits or instructor consent
GEOG 3712 - Geography of Latin America
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Considers the social, physical and political landscapes of Latin America and the Caribbean before, during and after the European invasion and colonial times. Examines contemporary dynamics in the region from a political ecology perspective. prereq: Minimum 30 credits or instructor consent
GEOG 4393 - Political Geography
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This course examines the geography of social power from international geopolitics, to protest politics in public space, to theories of hetero-normativity and patriarchy. The central focus of this course is the spatial organization of politics, i.e., how people organize themselves into groups, and how those groups police themselves and vie with each other in various places and at multiple scales. prereq: Minimum 60 credits including or instructor consent
GEOG 4446 - Water Processes and Management
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to the surface water processes and water resources management, including precipitation, runoff generation, channel processes, spatial and temporal variations in water distribution, aspects of water quantity and quality, and watershed management problems. Prereq: Geog 1414 or Geol 1110 or Graduate students or Instructor consent.
GEOG 4451 - The Geography of Soils
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course gives students a fundamental understanding of the soil as a living resource. The course covers basic soil science and the critical need for sustainable soil management in the context of current agricultural and climate change. The course includes outdoor field excursions, hands-on soil study both in the field and in the lab. Course includes a weekend field trip. prereq: 1414 or Geol 1110 or grad student or instructor consent
FORS 3167 - GEOG 3167 Cultural Geography of Iceland
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: GEOG 3167/FORS 3167
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Taught in Iceland this course explores the changing cultural & political geography of Iceland and its relationship to the complex processes of globalization, regional politics and local economies. It examines the history of Iceland as a Viking settlement, a colony of Denmark, and an independent nation with a focus on the political and economic connection between Iceland and other places have influenced the country. Students will examine Iceland's position as part of the European Economic Community but not of the common currency or the European Union, contributed to the 2008 economic crisis and the responses to that crisis. Student will consider how geographic context, national culture and political economy impact the cultural geography of Iceland and is designed to give an intercultural experience with contemporary economic and political issues through a geographic perspective. Students will apply geographic theories of cultural difference, political economy, and resistance to develop an understanding of the multiple sites and scales of Icelandic identity, culture and politics. prereq: Admission to an approved study abroad program requires consent from the International Education Office.
GEOG 3991 - Independent Study
Credits: 1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
For students interested in doing advanced work in selected fields of geography. prereq: instructor consent
GEOG 3995 - Special Topics: (various titles to be assigned)
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Special topics in geography that are not offered in the regular curriculum. Topics may involve specialties of professional staff or visiting faculty.
GEOG 4999 - Honors Project
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Advanced individual project related to geography demonstrating sound theoretical and research foundations and resulting in a written report. prereq: minimum 90 credits and instructor consent
GEOG 5991 - Independent Study in Geography
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Independent problems for postbaccalaureate students interested in doing additional work in selected fields in geography. prereq: Maximum 4 credits can be applied to graduate program; instructor consent