Geography Major: Geographic Information Systems Concentration

Requirements for a Major

Minimum requirement for the major is completion of a six-course (18 credit) core curriculum and one of five concentrations. Students will declare a concentration in either General Geography, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Earth System Science, or Earth Science Education. Study Away/Study Abroad is strongly encouraged for geography majors.

Core Courses(18 credits)
GS-101Physical Geography3
or GS-110 Meteorology
or EV-150 Environmental Science
GE-102Human Geography3
GS-140Physical Geology4
GS-165Geographic Information Systems I4
GE-200Geography Literature Seminar1
GE/GS-400Geography Seminar3
Requirements for the Concentration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)(27 credits)
Required core courses
GS-218Introduction to Remote Sensing3
GS-318Geographic Information Systems II3
Select one of the following:3
Independent Study: Earth Science- Geoscience
Readings and Directed Research
Internship: Geography
Core electives
4 courses at the 200+ level in either physical or human geography. Students are encouraged to focus on one area. 12
Ancillary Courses
To be taken by the time the student has 21 credits in the major
CS-135Programming for Non-CS Majors3
MA-150Statistics I3
Total Credits45

Geography Major: GIS Concentration

Sample Timeline for Completion of Degree

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Semester OneCredits
LASCFirst-Year Seminar (FYS) 3
EN-101 College Writing I 3
MA-150 Statistics I (LASC: QR) 3
GE-102 Human Geography (LASC: HBS) 3
GS-101
Physical Geography (LASC: NSP)
or Meteorology
or Environmental Science
3
 Credits15
Semester Two
EN-102 College Writing II 3
GS-165 Geographic Information Systems I 4
GS-140 Physical Geology (LASC: LAB) 4
LASCLASC Elective (CON) 1 3
LASCLASC Elective (USW) 1 3
 Credits17
Year Two
Semester Three
GS-218 Introduction to Remote Sensing 3
CS-135 Programming for Non-CS Majors (LASC: QR) 3
LASCLASC Elective (TLC) 1 3-4
LASCLASC Elective (CA) 1 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15-16
Semester Four
GS-318 Geographic Information Systems II 3
GS/GE 2XX+Elective 3
LASCLASC Elective (ICW) 1 3
LASCLASC Elective (GP) 1 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15
Year Three
Semester Five
GE-200 Geography Literature Seminar 1
GS/GE 2XX+Elective 3
GS/GE 2XX+Elective 3
LASCLASC Elective (DIV) 1 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
 Credits16
Semester Six
GS/GE 2XX+Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15
Year Four
Semester Seven
Select one of the following: 3
Independent Study: Geography
or Independent Study: Earth Science- Geoscience
Readings and Directed Research
or Readings and Directed Research
Internship: Geography
or Internship: Geography
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
GS-400 Senior Seminar 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
SELECT Minor/Elective 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits120-121
1

The sequence of LASC courses marked with 1 is a suggestion but serves as a reminder that LASC designated courses must be taken to satisfy the LASC requirements.

Students are required to meet with their academic advisor to review their courses for the upcoming semester. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation.  First-year and transfer students with 45 or fewer credits at the time of admission shall complete two academic programs (a major/major or major/minor) to qualify for graduation.  For more information, please view the MajorPlus section of this catalog.