Geography
G eography provides an understanding of issues across the human-environmental interface and skills that are in demand in today's job market. Techniques such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, air photo interpretation, data base handling, and computer-based cartography are used in regional planning, map production, and environmental assessment.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
- Hours for the Degree: 120
- Specialization: Geography B.A., Geography - Environmental Geosciences B.A., Geography B.S.
- Minor: Yes
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Website: www.geog.ufl.edu/undergrad/overview.html
Overview
The practical and flexible curriculum, small class sizes, computer-based learning, strong faculty and coursework in several areas of general education make this major appealing to students who want skills linked to employment or preparation for entry to professional schools (e.g., law, medicine, business, etc.). The department's computer laboratories are available to undergraduate majors when not used for classes.
Geography majors learn about the Earth's physical environment including climate and learn to understand social, cultural and economic concepts from a spatial perspective. They also learn to integrate information about relationships between environment and society. These skills and the geographic perspective also open doors to employment in government agencies and private firms that deal with urban and regional planning, water management, environmental and market analysis, mapping, medical geography, foreign service and education.
Coursework for the Major
The geography major has three different specializations: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts in environmental geosciences (a joint program with the Department of Geological Sciences). Coursework for the major will depend upon the specialization. Students must earn a minimum grade of C for coursework to count toward the major. All three specializations are flexible.
The Bachelor of Arts in geography requires 34-37 hours of coursework in geography. It is flexible and is best suited for students interested in careers in urban and regional planning, business geography, medical geography and geographic education or for students who want a broad overview of the discipline with a focus on human geography.
The Bachelor of Arts in environmental geosciences requires 38-43 hours of coursework. This program is a joint offering between the Department of Geography and the Department of Geological Sciences. It is intended for students interested in land and water aspects of the environment, focusing on human impacts, water and mineral resource exploitation and management, disasters, environmental planning, earth science education or environmental law.
The Bachelor of Science in geography requires 51-52 hours of coursework in geography and related areas. It emphasizes physical geography and supplements this with 21 credits of coursework in physics, chemistry, geology and soils. This specialization is best suited for someone who wishes to pursue a career in environmental consulting or graduate work in physical geography or related natural sciences, including atmospheric science, geosciences, hydrologic sciences or meteorology.
Students who are uncertain which specialization best suits them should consult the Department of Geography's undergraduate coordinator for information and curriculum planning.
Required Coursework
All majors take some techniques courses, including GEO 3162C and a minimum of two additional courses that involve working with data and computers. All majors take a regional course, focusing on the countries, cultures and landscapes of one region of the world. The systematic courses include specialized courses in human or environmental/physical geography, but majors can also take additional techniques courses as part of this requirement.
Specific coursework for the major will depend upon the degree program. Coursework for each specialization can be found below under Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan.
Overseas Study
The department participates in an exchange program with the University of Utrecht. A course on the geography of Europe (GEA 3500) is regularly offered each summer in the Netherlands.
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Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Geosciences
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Required Courses
- GEO 2200 and 2200L Physical Geography and Physical Geography Laboratory
- One course from GEO 2410 Social Geography or GEO 2420 Introduction to Human Geography or GEO 2500 Global and Regional Economies
- GEO 3162C Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers
- Two courses from GEO 4167C Intermediate Quantitative Analysis, GIS 4001C Maps and Graphs, GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems, GIS 4021C Air Photo Interpretation, GIS 4037 Digital Image Processing
- GEO 4930 Senior Seminar
- Four courses from: GEO 2201 Physical Landscapes, GEO 2242 Extreme Weather, GEO 2426 Popular Music and Culture: A Geographic Perspective, GEO 3250 Climatology, GEO 3280 Principles of Geographic Hydrology, GEO 3315 Geography of Crops Plants, GEO 3341 Extreme Floods, GEO 3352 The Human Footprint on Landscape, GEO 3372 Conservation of Resources, GEO 3427 Plants, Health, and Spirituality, GEO 3430 Population Geography, GEO 3502 Economic Geography,
GEO 3602 Urban and Business Geography, GEO 3611 Housing, People, and Places in a Spatially Diverse America, GEO 3803 Geography of Alcohol, GEO 3930 Special Topics, GEO 4167C Intermediate Quantitative Analysis for Geographers, GEO 4221 Coastal Morphology and Processes, GEO 4281 Fluvial Morphology and Processes, GEO 4285 Models in Geographic Hydrology, GEO 4300 Environmental Biogeography, GEO 4554 Regional Development, GEO 4612 Shelter and Care Options for U.S. Elderly, GEO 4620 Business Geography Integrating Theory,
GEO 4970 Honors Thesis, GEO 4938 Selected Topics in Geography, GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information System, GIS 4021C Air Photo Interpretation, GIS 4037 Digital Image Processing, MET 3503 Weather and Forecasting, MET 4532 Hurricanes
- One course from GEA 2210 Geography of the United States and Canada, GEA 2270 Geography of Florida, GEA 3223 Historical Geography of the United States,
GEA 3405 Geography of Latin America, GEA 3500 Geography of Europe, GEA 3600 Geography of Africa, GEA 4465 Amazonia
- STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
Note: The same course may not be used to satisfy requirements for more than one bulleted group.
Critical Tracking
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2
Semester 3
- Complete 1 geography course
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional geography course (1 of the 2 must be GEO 2200) or complete STA 2023 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete all critical tracking courses (STA 2023 and 2 geography courses, 1 of which must be GEO 2200) with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
GEO 2410 Social Geography or
GEO 2420 Introduction to Human Geography (GE-S, D) or
GEO 2500 Global and Regional Economies (GE-S) |
3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) |
3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Foreign language |
4-5 |
| Total |
13-14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
GEO 2200 and 2200L Physical Geography (3) and Physical Geography
Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
| Foreign language |
3-5 |
| Total |
13-15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
GEO 3162C Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers (GE-P) or
GEO 3000 level (Systematic) |
3-4 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) |
3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Electives (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO 3000/4000 level (Systematic) |
3 |
| Electives |
4 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEA 2000/4000 level (Regional) |
3 |
GEO 3162 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers (GE-P) or
GEO 3000 level (Systematic) |
3-4 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO 3000/4000 level (Systematic) |
3 |
GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems or
GIS 4001 Maps and Graphs |
4 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO 4930 Senior Seminar |
1 |
| GEO/GIS 4000 level (Technique) * |
3-4 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Electives |
6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO 3000/4000 level (Systematic) |
3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Electives * |
9 |
| Total |
15 |
* Electives to reach the 120-hour total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
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Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Geosciences Specialization
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Required Courses
- GEO 2200 and GEO 2200L Physical Geography and Physical Geography Laboratory
- GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographical Information Systems
- GLY 2010C Physical Geology
- GLY 2100C Historical Geology or GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life in America
- GLY 3202C Earth Minerals
- GEO 4930 Senior Seminar
- Three geography electives from GEO 3162C Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers, GEO 3250 Climatology, GEO 3280 Principles of Geographic Hydrology, GEO 3341 Extreme Floods, GEO 3352 The Human Footprint on Landscape, GEO 3372 Conservation Resources, GEO 4167C Intermediate Quantitative Analysis for Geographers, GEO 4221 Coastal Morphology and Processes, GEO 4281 Fluvial Morphology and Processes, GEO 4285 Models in Geographic Hydrology, GEO 4300 Environmental Biogeography, GIS 4021C Air Photo Interpretation, GIS 4037 Digital Image Processing, MET 3503 Weather and Forecasting, MET 4532 Hurricanes
- Two geology electives from GLY 3074 Oceans and Global Climate, GLY 3163 Geology of American and National Parks, GLY 3603C Paleontology, GLY 3882C Hydrology and Human Affairs, GLY 4155C Geology of Florida, GLY 4310C Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, GLY 4400C Structural Geology and Tectonics,
GLY 4552C Sedimentary Geology, GLY 4571 Fluvial Morphology and Processes, GLY 4734 Coastal Morphology and Processes
- STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics
Critical Tracking
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2
- Complete one critical-tracking course with laboratory (GEO 2200 and GEO 2200L, or GLY 2010C) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 3
- Complete the other critical-tracking course with laboratory (GEO 2200 and GEO 2200L, or GLY 2010C) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 4
- Complete STA 2023 and maintain a 2.5 GPA critical-tracking on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete two additional GLY or GEO courses with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA on all critical-tracking coursework. Recommended GLY courses include GLY 2100C or GLY 3105C
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Foreign language |
4-5 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) |
3 |
| Total |
13-14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
GEO 2200 and 2200L Physical Geography (3) (GE-P) and Physical Geography
Laboratory (1) (GE-P) or
GLY 2010C Physical Geology (4) (GE-P) |
4 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) |
3 |
| Foreign language |
3-5 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
13-15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
GEO 2200 and 2200L Physical Geography (3) (GE-P) and Physical Geography
Laboratory (1) (GE-P) or
GLY 2010C Physical Geology (4) (GE-P) |
4 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems |
4 |
GLY 2100C Historical Geology or
GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life (both GE-P) |
4 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| GLY 3202C Earth Materials |
3 |
| Geography elective from list |
3-4 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
9 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| Geography elective from list |
3-4 |
| Geology elective from list |
3-4 |
| Electives * |
9 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Total |
18 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO 4930 Senior Seminar |
1 |
| Geography elective from list |
3-4 |
| Geology elective from list |
3-4 |
| Electives * |
9 |
| Total |
16 |
* Electives to reach the 120-hour total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
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Bachelor of Science
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Required Courses
- CHM 1025 Introduction to Chemistry or CHM 1030 Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications
- GEO 2200 and 2200L Physical Geography and Physical Geography Laboratory
- GEO 3162C Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers
- GEO 4930 Senior Seminar
- One course from GEO 2410 Social Geography, GEO 2420 Introduction to Human Geography or GEO 2500 Global and Regional Economies.
- Two courses from GEO 4167C Intermediate Quantitative Analysis, GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems, GIS 4001C Maps and Graphs,
GIS 4021C Air Photo Interpretation, GIS 4037 Digital Image Processing
- Three courses from GEO 3250 Climatology, GEO 3280 Principles of Geographic Hydrology, GEO 3315 Geography of Crop Plants, GEO 3372 Conservation Resources, GEO 4167C Intermediate Quantitative Analysis, GEO 4221 Coastal Morphology and Processes, GEO 4281 Fluvial Morphology and Processes,
GEO 4285 Models in Geographic Hydrology, GEO 4970 Honors Thesis, GEO 4938 Selected Topics, GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems,
GIS 4021C Air Photo Interpretation, GIS 4037 Digital Image Processing, MET 3503 Weather and Forecasting, and MET 4532 Hurricanes
- One course from GEA 2210 Geography of the United States and Canada, GEA 2270 Geography of Florida, GEA 3223 Historical Geography of the United States,
GEA 3405 Geography of Latin America, GEA 3500 Geography of Europe, GEA 3600 Geography of Africa, GEA 4465 Amazonia
- GLY 2010C Physical Geology
- MET 1010 Intro to Weather
- PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1
- PHY 2005 and 2005L Applied Physics 2
- STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics
- SWS 3022 and 3022L Intro to Soils in the Environment
Note: The same course may not be used to satisfy requirements for more than one bulleted group.
Critical Tracking
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2
Semester 3
- Complete 1 geography course
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional geography course (1 of the 2 must be GEO 2200) or complete STA 2023 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete all critical tracking courses (STA 2023 and 2 geography courses, 1 of which must be GEO 2200) with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
GEO 2200 and 2200L Physical Geography (3) and Physical Geography
Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
| MET 1010 Introduction to Weather and Climate (GE-P) |
3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Foreign language |
5 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 1025 Introduction to Chemistry (2) or
CHM 1030 Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1 (3) (GE-P) |
2-3 |
GEO 2410 Social Geography or
GEO 2420 Introduction to Human Geography (GE-S, D) or
GEO 2500 Global and Regional Economies (GE-S) |
3 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| Foreign language |
5 |
| Total |
13-14 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Applied Physics 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
13 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO 3000/4000 level (Systematic) |
3 |
| PHY 2005 and 2005L Applied Physics 2 (3) and Applied Physics 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEA 2000/4000 level (Regional) |
3 |
| GEO 3162C Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers (GE-P) |
4 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) |
3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO 3000/5000 level (Systematic) |
3-4 |
GIS 4001C Maps and Graphs (4) or
GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems |
4 |
| GLY 2010C Physical Geology (GE-P) |
4 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
17-18 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO 4930 Senior Seminar |
1 |
| GEO 3000/4000 level (Systematic) |
3 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
| Elective * |
1 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| GEO/GIS 3000 level or above (Systematic) |
3-4 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) |
3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S, if needed) |
3 |
| Total |
15-16 |
* Electives to reach the 120-hour total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
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