Geography (BA/BS)

Home to a number of breathtaking geographic landforms, from the Cascade Range to the McKenzie and Rogue rivers, Oregon is the ideal place to study geography. But geography is more than mountains and rivers and maps. It’s about how cultures and societies are affected by their natural surroundings and how people can enact change in the world. Geography is a way of looking at the world, understanding the dynamics between humans and the environment, and learning to use that information to make real change.

As a geography major, you’ll come to understand how national and physical boundaries affect power and inequality; the significance of resource abundance and resource shortage for different people in different places; why particular regions contribute more to environmental issues than others; how climate change affects plants, animals, and water resources; how place defines who we are, how we act, and the choices we make; and much more. You’ll learn how to use cutting edge spatial technologies that are in high demand in business, governments, and nonprofits around the world. Asking these questions and using these methods, you’ll learn where positive change is taking place and how to be a part of it.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Recognize the diverse human and biophysical processes shaping places and spaces in the world around us.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative methods to spatial data to critically evaluate processes shaping places.
• Identify key geographic research questions and critically evaluate them in the context of the evidence presented.
• Communicate clearly and effectively about complex geographical topics using written, verbal, or graphic approaches.
• Identify and communicate the skills and competencies relevant to their potential career path.

An undergraduate major in geography follows a broadly based general degree program. Both bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) degrees are offered in the department. To achieve depth in a particular subfield of geography, electives are chosen from one of six specializations:

1. environment, economy, and sustainability
2. water science and policy
3. culture, politics, and place
4. environmental systems
5. geographic information system science

Although a degree in geography is a liberal arts degree, many graduates have found related vocational opportunities in government or private employment, principally in planning, environmental research, cartography, or geographic information system science.

Geography Major Requirements

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Seminar: [Topic] (GEOG 407), Experimental Course: [Topic] (GEOG 410), and other upper-division courses approved by an advisor may be used to satisfy the elective requirement.

At least eight geography courses must be taken for a letter grade. A grade of C– or better or P (pass) is required in each course, and a GPA of 2.25 or better is required in courses used to satisfy major requirements.

Environment, Economy, and Sustainability

Water Science and Policy

Culture, Politics, and Place

Environmental Systems

Geographic Information System Science

Honors Programs

The Department of Geography offers an honors option for its majors. More information is available on the department website, contact the undergraduate support at undergradasu7@uoregon.edu, or email the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Leslie McLees here.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Geography

Bachelor of Science in Geography