Geography Minor / General Information

Geography is a discipline that trains students to ask questions and address problems about the world's peoples, cultures, daily lives, and environments. Geographers study a range of human (social, economic, political) and environmental (atmospheric, biologic, geologic) processes that create diverse global patterns in physical and cultural landscapes. The minor provides training on the interpretation of geographic data and geographic (spatial) analytical techniques that should form a strong complement for students with majors in other physical and social sciences. We recommend a minor in geography for students who want to know the world better and want to apply that broader perspective to effective local action in their special areas of expertise. Consider one of three areas of emphasis.

Comparative Urban-Economic

Comparative Urban-Economic provides training on the spatial aspects of human existence in urban settings, how people create and modify their surroundings and respond to changes in their surroundings that affect their local livelihoods. Urban-economic geographers work in areas of urban and regional planning, social and community services, tourism, and econimic development.

Global (International) Development

Global (International) Development provides training about the human and physical characteristics across different regions of the world and how global processes shape transnational relationships. Geographers provide a spatially comparative context for addressing issues in national development planning, international relations, cultural sensitivity, and global awareness.

Environmental Change

Environmental Change provides training on climate, vegetation, soils, water, and landforms, and shows how these important components of the earth's environment change over time and in response to human activities. Physical-Environmental Geographers forecast the weather, manage land and water resources, analyze and plan for the use of natural resources, and conduct basic and applied research on environmental processes.

In order to complete a minor in geography, a student must have a minimum of 18 semester hours in the discipline, must obtain some training in geographic tools, and must select one of three areas of emphasis. The minor may not be taken by a geography major and a cumulative average of 2.0 must be obtained in the courses that satisfy the minor. No course may be taken for credit/no credit.