Geography
G eography provides an understanding of issues across the human-environmental interface and skills which 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 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 Geological Sciences).
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.
Geology 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, foreign service and education.
Coursework for the Major
All three specializations are flexible. The Bachelor of Arts in geography is the most flexible degree and is best suited for students interested in careers in urban and regional planning, business geography, medical geography, geographic education or in obtaining a broad overview of the discipline focusing on human geography.
The Bachelor of Arts in environmental geosciences 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 emphasizes physical geography and supplements this with 21 credits of coursework in physics, chemistry, geology and soils. This track 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 track best suits them should consult the Department of Geography's undergraduate coordinator for information and curriculum planning.
Required Coursework for the Bachelor of Arts
The BA in geography requires 34-37 semester hours of coursework in geography, completed with grades of C or better. Majors must also complete STA 2023 to fulfill tracking requirements (STA 2023 will also help fulfill the general education math requirement). The same courses cannot be used for credit in two different categories and credit will not be given toward the degree for a graduate and undergraduate section of the same course. Required courses include:
- GEO 2200 and 2200L
- GEO 2410 (or GEO 2420 or 2500)
- GEO 3162C
- GEO 4167C or GIS 4037 or GIS 4021C (or GIS 4001C or GIS 3043)
- GEO 4930
- Four courses from GEO 2201 or 2242 or 2426; GEO 3250, 3280, 3315, 3352, 3372, 3424, 3427, 3430, 3502, 3602, 3611, 3803, 3930, 4167C, 4221, 4281, 4285, 4554, 4612, 4620, 4970, 4938; GIS 3043, 4021C, 4037; MET 3503, 4532
- One course from GEA 2210, 2270, 3223, 3405, 3410, 3500, 3600, 4465
Required Coursework for the Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science in geography requires 56 semester hours of coursework in geography and related areas, completed with C or better grades. Majors must also take STA 2023 to fulfill tracking requirements (STA 2023 also helps fulfill the general education math requirement). The same courses cannot be used for credit in two different categories and credit toward the degree will not be given for a graduate and undergraduate section of the same course. Required courses include:
- CHM 1025 or 1030
- GEO 2200 and 2200L
- GEO 3162C
- GEO 4930
- GIS 4001C or 3043
- GIS 4021C or GEO 4167C or GIS 4037 (or GIS 4001C or GIS 3043)
- GLY 2010C
- MET 1010
- PHY 2004 and 2004L
- PHY 2005 and 2005L
- SWS 3022 and 3022L
- One course from GEO 2410, 2420 or 2500.
- Three courses from GEO 3250, 3280, 3315, 3372, 4167C, 4221, 4281, 4285, 4970 and 4938; GIS 3043, 4021C and 4037; MET 3503 and 4532.
- One course from GEA 2210, 2270, 3223, 3405, 3410, 3500, 3600, 4465.
Concentrations/Specializations
Required Coursework for the Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Geosciences
The environmental geosciences specialization requires a total of 38-43 hours of coursework completed with grades of C or better. This is a joint offering between the Department of Geography and the Department of Geological Sciences. Majors must also take STA 2023 to fulfill tracking requirements for geography, which will also help to fulfill the general education math requirement. The same courses cannot be used for credit in two different categories and credit will not be given toward the degree for a graduate and undergraduate section of the same course. Students must earn a grade of C or better for coursework to count toward the major. Required courses include:
- GEO 2200 and GEO 2200L
- GLY 2010C
- STA 2023
- GLY 3105C or GLY 2100C
- GIS 3043
- GLY 3202C
- GEO 4930
- Three courses from GEO 3162C, GEO 3250, GEO 3280, GEO 3341, GEO 3352, GEO 3372, GEO 4167, GEO 4221, GEO 4281, GEO 4285, GEO 4300;
GIS 4021C, GIS 4037; MET 3503, MET 4532 - Two courses from GLY 3074, GLY 3163, GLY 3603C, GLY 3882C, GLY 4155C, GLY 4310C, GLY 4400C, GLY 4552C, GLY 4571, GLY 4734
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.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Geosciences Specialization
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.
Bachelor of Arts
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
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
- Maintain 2.0 UF GPA
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 or equivalent with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete 2 geography courses and STA 2023 or equivalent 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 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 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 13-15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| GEO 3162C Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers (GE-P) | 4 |
| GEO/GIS 3000 level (Systematic) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| GIS 4001C Maps and Graphs or GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GEO/GIS 3000/4000 level (Systematic) | 3 |
| Elective (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/GIS 3000/4000 level (Technique) | 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 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| GEO 4930 Senior Seminar | 1 |
| GEO/GIS 4000 level (Systematic) * | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3 |
| Electives* | 13-9 |
| Total | 16-12 |
* Electives to reach the 120-hour total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
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.
Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Geosciences Specialization
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
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 or equivalent) 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 or equivalent) 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 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 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| 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 |
| GEO elective from list ** | 3-4 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| GEO elective from list ** | 3-4 |
| GLY elective from list *** | 3-4 |
| Electives * | 6-3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3 |
| Total | 15-14 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| GEO 4930 Senior Seminar | 1 |
| GEO elective from list ** | 3-4 |
| GLY elective from list *** | 3-4 |
| Electives * | 9-7 |
| Total | 16 |
* Electives to reach the 120-hour total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
** Geoscience Electives in Dept. of Geography (9-12 credits)
Take three courses. Credit will not be given twice for a cross-listed course or a graduate and undergraduate section of the same course.
GEO 3250 Climatology (3)
GEO 3280 Principles of Geographic Hydrology (3)
GEO 3315 Geography of Crop Plants (3)
GEO 3341 Extreme Floods (3)
GEO 3352 Human Footprint on the Landscape
GEO 3372 Conservation of Resources (3)
GEO 3930 Special Topics-Introduction to Climate Change
GEO 4167C Intermediate Quantitative Analysis (3)
GEO 4221 Coastal Morphology and Processes (3)
GEO 4281 Fluvial Morphology and Processes (3)
GEO 4285 Models in Geographic Hydrology (3)
GEO 4300 Environmental Biogeography (3)
GIS 4021C Air Photo Interpretation (3)
GIS 4037 Digital Image Processing (4)
MET 3503 Weather and Forecasting (3)
MET4532 Hurricanes
*** Geoscience Electives in Dept. of Geological Sciences (6-8 credits)
Take teo courses. Credit will not be given twice for a cross-listed course or a graduate and undergraduate section of the same course.
GLY 3074 Oceans and Global Climate (3)
GLY 3163 Geology American National Parks (3)
GLY 3603C Paleontology (4)
GLY 3882C Hydrology and Human Affairs (3)
GLY 4155C Geology of Florida (3)
GLY 4310C Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (4)
GLY 4400C Structural Geology and Tectonics (4)
GLY 4552C Sedimentary Geology (4)
GLY 4571 Fluvial Morphology and Processes (3)
GLY 4734 Coastal Morphology and Processes (3
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.
Bachelor of Science
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
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
- Maintain 2.0 UF GPA
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 or equivalent with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete 2 geography courses and STA 2023 or equivalent 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 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 | 4-5 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| 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 |
| GLY 2010C Physical Geology (GE-P) | 4 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Total | 12-15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| GEO/GIS 3000 level or above (Systematic) | 3 |
| 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 (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| GEO/GIS 3000 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 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 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 (Technique) | 3-4 |
| GIS 4001C Maps and Graphs (4) or GIS 3043 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3-0 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 16-14 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| GEO 4930 Senior Seminar | 1 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| Elective * | 2-3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 13-14 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives * | 4-2 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S, if needed) | 3 |
| Total | 16-14 |
* Electives to reach the 120-hour total will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.