Geography & Geographic Information Science: General Geography, BALAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Major in Geography & Geographic Information Science, General Geography Concentration


A Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography & Geographic Information Science with General Geography concentration will prepare students to Integrate social science, physical science, and technology to study how humans use the Earth’s surface. This concentration allows you to sample courses from different sub-fields of geography without having to choose one specialty of the discipline.

Upon completion, students are prepared for diverse employment opportunities or further studies in a geography graduate program.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Major in Geography & Geographic Information Science, General Geography Concentration


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Minimum required major and supporting course work: A minimum of 35 credit hours of Geography & Geographic Information Science courses. Twelve (12) hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree, including courses outside of GGIS. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement. The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

General Education Requirements
Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by GGIS 101 or GGIS 104 or GGIS 106 or GGIS 210 or GGIS 221 or GGIS 254 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required)0-20
Orientation and Professional Development
LAS 101Design Your First Year Experience1
OR
LAS 100
LAS 101
Success in LAS for International Students
and Design Your First Year Experience
3
OR
LAS 102Transfer Advantage1

Major Requirements

Geography & GIS Core Requirements10-12
Physical Geography Course (Select one):
Introduction to Meteorology
Earth's Physical Systems
Landscapes, Ecosystems and Environmental Change
Big Rivers of the World
Human Geography Course (Select one):
Global Development & Environment
Social and Cultural Geography
Geographies of Globalization
Social & Environmental Issues
Geographies of Global Conflict
People, Places, and Environments of the US
GIS Course (Select one):
Spatial Analysis
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Students must choose one of the following concentrations:
Concentration Credit Hours Required25-27

General Geography Concentration Requirements 

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Minimum required major and supporting course work: A minimum of 35 credit hours of Geography & Geographic Information Science courses. Twelve (12) hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree, including courses outside of GGIS. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement. The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by GGIS 101 or GGIS 104 or GGIS 106 or GGIS 210 or GGIS 221 or GGIS 254 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required)0-20
Orientation and Professional Development
LAS 101Design Your First Year Experience1
OR
LAS 100
LAS 101
Success in LAS for International Students
and Design Your First Year Experience
3
OR
LAS 102Transfer Advantage1

Major Requirements

Geography & GIS Core Requirements10-12
Physical Geography Course (Select one):
Introduction to Meteorology
Earth's Physical Systems
Landscapes, Ecosystems and Environmental Change
Big Rivers of the World
Human Geography Course (Select one):
Global Development & Environment
Social and Cultural Geography
Geographies of Globalization
Social & Environmental Issues
Geographies of Global Conflict
People, Places, and Environments of the US
GIS Course (Select one):
Spatial Analysis
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
General Geography Concentration Requirements25-27
200 to 400 level Geography & GIS Courses (at least 6 hours must be at the 300- or 400- level) chosen in consultation with an academic advisor
Course choice must be different than Core requirements chosen in the major

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Major in Geography & Geographic Information Science, General Geography Concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
GGIS 103 (or GGIS 100 or GGIS 222)4Geography & GIS core course4
Free elective course1Free elective course4
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Language Other than English (4th level) 4
Composition I or General Education course3General Education course or Composition 13
Free elective course3 
 15 15
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
GGIS 371 (or GGIS 379)4200-400 level General Geography concentration course3
200-400 level General Geography concentration course3200-400 level General Geography Concentration course4
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
Free elective course3 
 16 13
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
200-400 level General Geography Concentration course3200-400 level General Geography Concentration course3
200-400 level General Geography Concentration course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course4
 15 16
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
300 - 400- level General Geography Concentration course3300-400 level General Geography Concentration course3
General Education Course3Free elective course3
General Education Course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
 15 15
Total Hours 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Major in Geography & Geographic Information Science, General Geography Concentration


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