About this Program
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science
- Specializations: Environmental Geosciences (BA) | Geographical Science and Sustainability (BA) | Medical Geography in Global Health (BA) | Medical Geography in Global Health (BS)
- Credits for Degree: 120
- Contact: Email
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
The Geography Department offers a range of topics in contemporary geography and geospatial science, rich and lively cultural and learning environments, BA and BS undergraduate degrees, MA, M.S., and PhD degrees, as well as the largest Medical Geography program in the United States.
Website
CONTACT
Email | 352.392.0494 (tel) | 352.392.8855 (fax)
P.O. Box 117315
330 Newell Drive
3141 TURLINGTON HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7315
Map
Curriculum
- Combination Degrees
- GeoAI and Geographic Analysis Minor
- Geographic Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Certificate
- Geography
- Geography Minor
- Geography Minor UF Online
- Geography UF Online
- Geospatial Information Analysis Certificate
- Medical Geography Certificate
- Medical Geography in Global Health Minor
- Meteorology and Climatology Certificate
- Meteorology Minor
The Bachelor of Science in Geography 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.
Coursework for the Major
The Bachelor of Science in geography requires 36-41 credits of geography coursework and 16-17 credits of related coursework in physics, chemistry, meteorology, and statistics. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all coursework for the major.
Required Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO 2200 & 2200L | Dynamic Planet Earth and Dynamic Planet Earth Laboratory | 4 |
| GEO 3162C | Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers | 4 |
| GEO 4170 | Communicating Science in the Geosciences | 3 |
| GEO 4930 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Natural Hazards Geography | ||
| Social Geography | ||
| People, Place, and Culture | ||
| Global and Regional Economies | ||
| Select one GeoAI course: | 3 | |
| The Digital Earth | ||
| The World & Big Data | ||
| Select two Technique courses: | 7-9 | |
| Intermediate Quantitative Analysis for Geographers | ||
| Geovisualization and Map Design | ||
| Foundations of Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Aerial Photo Interpretation | ||
| Digital Image Processing | ||
| Introduction to Spatial Networks | ||
| Spatial Surface Modeling and Geostatistics | ||
| Select one Regional Geography course: | 3 | |
| Geography of Florida | ||
| Geography of Africa | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Amazonia | ||
| Select three: 1 | 9-12 | |
| Climatology | ||
| Principles of Geographic Hydrology | ||
| Hungry Planet: Global Geographies of Food | ||
| Extreme Floods | ||
| The Human Footprint on Landscape | ||
| Conservation of Resources | ||
| Introduction to Medical Geography | ||
| Intermediate Quantitative Analysis for Geographers | ||
| Weather, Climate, and Society | ||
| River Forms and Processes | ||
| Water, Risk, and Extreme Events | ||
| Selected Topics in Geography | ||
| Honors Thesis | ||
| Foundations of Geographic Information Systems | ||
| GIS Models for Public Health | ||
| Aerial Photo Interpretation | ||
| Digital Image Processing | ||
| Introduction to Spatial Networks | ||
| Spatial Surface Modeling and Geostatistics | ||
| GIS Analysis of Hazard Vulnerability | ||
| Coastal Morphology and Processes | ||
| Weather and Forecasting | ||
| Machine Learning in Meteorology | ||
| Hurricanes | ||
| Atmospheric Teleconnections | ||
| Spatial Analysis of Atmospheric Data using GIS | ||
| Quest 3/Experiential Learning Academic Requirement | 0-3 | |
| Total Credits | 37-45 | |
The same course may not be used to satisfy requirements for more than one bulleted group.
- 1
Other geography courses may be counted at the discretion of the undergraduate coordinator.
Transfer coursework is considered on a case-by-case basis. Upper division transfer courses with no UF equivalent will be substituted as GEO 4938.
Related Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 1025 | Introduction to Chemistry | 2-3 |
| or CHM 1030 | Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1 | |
| MET 1010 | Introduction to Weather and Climate | 3 |
| PHY 2004 & 2004L | Applied Physics 1 and Laboratory for Physics 2004 | 4 |
| PHY 2005 & 2005L | Applied Physics 2 and Applied Physics 2 Lab | 4 |
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16-17 | |
Quest 3/Experiential Learning Academic Requirement
To fulfill the Quest 3/UF Experiential Learning Academic Requirement (Q3/ELAR), students will pursue experiential learning in the form of internships or co-ops, global engagement/study abroad, community/public service, undergraduate research, or design competitions. Students should consult with department faculty to learn more about opportunities available to Geography students.
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.
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
Semester 2
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 1 geography course (GEA 1000 not acceptable)
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional geography course (1 of the 2 must be GEO 2200; GEA 1000 not acceptable) or complete STA 2023 with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete all critical-tracking courses (STA 2023 and 2 geography courses, 1 of which must be GEO 2200; GEA 1000 not acceptable) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 6
- Complete a GIS 3000/4000 technique course.
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- Complete 1 geography (GEO, GIS, or MET) 3000/4000 systematic course
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 8
- Complete all remaining geography (GEO or GIS) 3000/4000 courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Students are expected to complete the Writing, Civic Literacy, summer enrollment, and Quest requirements while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S) as part of the CLAS Basic Distribution requirements. One of the two general education mathematics courses must be a pure math course.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences allows students additional flexibility in its Distribution Requirements. Students may count a maximum of 6 credits TOTAL from the CLAS Distribution course lists towards Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Biological and Physical Sciences, with no more than 3 credits of Humanities, 3 credits of Social and Behavioral Sciences, or 6 credits of Biological or Physical Sciences.
The full list of major-specific requirements for this major can be found on the Overview tab. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree requirements can be found on the college’s degree requirements page.
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| GEO 2200 | Dynamic Planet Earth (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| GEO 2200L | Dynamic Planet Earth Laboratory (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | 1 |
| MET 1010 | Introduction to Weather and Climate (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1 | 4-5 | |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| Select one: | 2-3 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | ||
| Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Natural Hazards Geography | ||
| Social Geography (Critical Tracking) | ||
| People, Place, and Culture (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Global and Regional Economies (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | ||
| CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1 | 3-5 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 12-15 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| PHY 2004 & 2004L |
Applied Physics 1 and Laboratory for Physics 2004 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) |
4 |
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| Systematic GEO/MET course (Critical Tracking; 3000/4000 level) | 3 | |
| PHY 2005 & 2005L |
Applied Physics 2 and Applied Physics 2 Lab (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) |
4 |
| Gen Ed Biological Sciences | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Mathematics with a prefix of MAC, MAP, MAS, MGF, or MHF (pure math) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| Regional GEA course (Critical Tracking; 2000 - 4000 level) | 3 | |
| GEO 3162C | Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Geographers (Critical Tracking)) | 4 |
| State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| Select one GeoAI Fundamental course (Critical Tracking; ): | 3 | |
| The Digital Earth | ||
| The World & Big Data | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| Quest 3/Experiential Learning Academic Requirement | 3 | |
| Systematic GEO/GIS/MET course (Critical Tracking; 3000/4000 level) | 3-4 | |
| Select one: | 4 | |
| Geovisualization and Map Design (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Foundations of Geographic Information Systems (technique; Critical Tracking) | ||
| Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| GEO 4170 | Communicating Science in the Geosciences (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| GEO 4930 | Senior Seminar (Critical Tracking) | 1 |
| Systematic GEO/GIS/MET course (Critical Tracking; 3000/4000 level) | 3 | |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| Technique GEO/GIS course (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above) | 3-4 | |
| Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Electives to reach the 120-credit minimum will vary depending on whether students select minimum or maximum credit course options.
A major in Geography enables students to know the earth’s physical environment, to learn social, cultural, and economic concepts from spatial and regional perspectives, and to understand the relationship between environment and society. Students will learn how geographic techniques, skills, and concepts are applied in the subfields of geography. Computer-based lab assignments teach students how to analyze geographic information and to apply an interpretation of data toward problem solving or modeling. They will be able to interpret and to effectively communicate information spatially, graphically, and/or with statistics.
The Bachelor of Arts in Geography enables students to learn how geographic techniques, skills, and concepts are applied in various subfields of geography. The Bachelor of Science enables students to learn basic concepts in sciences related to the earth and its atmosphere.
Before Graduating Students Must
- Complete a capstone exam in GEO 4930, as developed by geography faculty.
- Complete a capstone portfolio in GEO 4930, evaluated by geography faculty.
- Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major Will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs
Content
- Identify and describe the physical and human characteristics of Earth and its regions, the essentials of human‐environment interactions, and the techniques of geographic science.
Critical Thinking
- Analyze geographic information and apply interpretation of data toward problem solving or modeling.
Communication
- Interpret and effectively communicate information spatially, graphically, and/or with statistics.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEA 2000-4000 level Regional Geography | R | ||
| GEO 2000 level Human Geography | I | ||
| GEO 2200 | I | ||
| GEO 2200L | R | ||
| GEO 3162C | I | I | R |
| GEO 4930 | R, A | A | A |
| GIS 3043 and GIS 4001C | R | R | R |
| STA 2023 | I | ||
| BA Only Plus 15 additional credits in the department | R | R | R |
| BS Only Plus 12 additional credits in the department and 22 credits outside the department with CHM, GLY, MET, PHY, SWS prefixes | R | R | R |
Assessment Types
- Capstone exam
- Portfolio