Geography

College: Social Sciences and Public Policy
Degree: BS and BA
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

Geography is the study of space, place, and the relationships between human cultures and their environments. The interpretation and explanation of the occurrence, distribution and interrelationships of physical and social patterns are of primary interest. Geography provides a bridge between the physical and cultural worlds.

The curriculum introduces students to basic concepts of spatial variation of human and natural phenomena. Methodology and techniques of problem solving in such areas as human spatial systems and natural resources are studied. An undergraduate major provides the basis for careers in public service, teaching, planning, environmental consulting, and business, and prepares students to undertake graduate studies in geography.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite Coursework: (6 hours)
Two (2) introductory courses in Geography with GEO prefix.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major
To be admitted, students must complete at least 52 hours of coursework with a minimum FSU GPA of 2.00 and most of the General Education requirements met, including freshman English composition and mathematics, or an AA degree.

All of the following core courses: (19 hrs)
GEA 1000 (3) World Regional Geography
GEO 1400 (3) Human Geography
GEO 2200C (3) Physical Geography
GEO 4162C (3) Spatial Data Analysis
GIS 3015 (3) Map Analysis
GIS 4043, GIS 4043L (3, 1) Geographic Information Systems and Lab

Human Geography: (3 hrs)
Select one course from the following:

GEO 3502 (3) Economic Geography
GEO 4357 (3) Environmental Conflict & Economic Development
GEO 4404 (3) Black Geographies
GEO 4412 (3) Environment and Gender
GEO 4421 (3) Cultural Geography (Upper Division Writing)
GEO 4450 (3) Medical Geography
GEO 4471 (3) Political Geography
GEO 4503 (3) Globalization
GEO 4505 (3) Fossil Fuels and Environmental Conflict
GEO 4602 (3) Urban Geography
GEO 4700 (3) Transport Geography
GEO 4804 (3) Geography of Wine
GIS 4421 (3) GIS & Health
IDS 2180 (3) Dead Cities
IDS 2492 Sport: Place, Competition & Fairness (counts for Ethics)
IDS 3336 (3) “Great” Britain? Geography, Imperialism, Industry and Culture
IDH 2937 (3) Environmental Justice (honors only)

Physical Geography: (3 to 4 hrs)
Select one course from the following:

GEO 4210 (3) Landforms & Landscapes
GEO 4280 (3) Geography of Water Resources
GEO 4300 (3) Biogeography
GEO 4376 (3) Landscape Ecology
GEO 4392 (3) Geography of Marine Resources
GEO 4114 (3) Environmental Field Methods
GIS 4035, GIS 4035L (3,1) Remote Sensing and Lab
IDS 2473 (3) Putting Science into Action: Field Methods for Plant Ecology
IDS 2471 (3) Glaciers, Geysers, and Glades

General Geography electives: (8 to 9 hrs)
Geography courses (GEA/GEO/GIS) at the 3000/4000 level
GEO 4930 Special Topics (A maximum of 9 credit hours may be used)
GEO 4905 or GEO 4941 Internship (A maximum of 3 credit hours may be used)

Minor Coursework: (at least 15 hours)
Students are required to complete a minor in any departmental or interdisciplinary area of interest approved by the undergraduate advisor. A minor will normally range from 12 to 18 hours.

**Minors added Fall 2023 and beyond will have 3 hours overlap from GEO2200C. Minors added prior to Fall 2023 will have 6 overlapping total hours.**

Digital Literacy: (0 hours beyond major)
This requirement is met by GIS3015 and/or GIS4043 for this major.

Oral Communication Competency: (0-3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met through with an approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36*
Major Coursework 34
Minor Coursework 15
Digital Literacy 0 hours beyond major coursework
Oral Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120

*NOTE: Up to 6 hours of major coursework may also be used to partially satisfy the Social Science area General Education requirement.

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. The Bachelor in Arts Degree requires completion of a foreign language through the intermediate (2220) level and 9 additional hours in the fields of history and humanities beyond General Education requirements.
5. The master's degree is the usual minimum requirement for employment as a professional geographer.

Employment Information
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major with Baccalaureate: Economic, Social or Political Geographer, Urban Planner, Transportation Planner, Map Curator, Geographic Information Scientist Technician, Economic Development Officer, Land Management Specialist, Market Researcher, Industrial Developer, Travel Agent, Conservationist, Environmental Technician, Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Aerial Photo-Interpreter. With Additional Training: Cartographer, Land use Planner, Geographic Information Systems Analyst, International Economist, Climatologist, Water Resource Planner, Map Analyst, Location Analyst.

Representative Employers: Federal, State, and Local Governments, Environmental non-governmental organizations, Conservation non-profits, Real Estate Developers, School Boards, Resource Management Agencies, Planning Agencies, Mapping Agencies, Business Consultants, Utilities, Port and Airport Authorities.