Undergraduate Catalog 2016-17
Majors
Geography (GPY) with a concentration in Human Geography (USG)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
8 Semester Plan120 Credit Hours
CIP Code: 45.0701
College of Arts & Sciences
Major Description
The undergraduate geography program offers courses in physical geography, human geography, and geographical analysis. Human geography courses focus on the social and spatial effects of the growth of cities, including issues such as the historical evolution of urban form and function, land-use changes and conflicts, economic restructuring, the growth and decline of inner cities, and urban racial and ethnic relations. Physical geography courses focus on major environmental systems including the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Geographical analysis courses provide skills in geographic information systems science and technology, remote sensing and spatial analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on the human modification of the natural environment and the global interconnections of the major earth systems.
College Level Requirements
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State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites
Students wishing to transfer to USF should complete an A.A. degree at a Florida College System institution. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university.
If a student wishes to transfer without an A.A. degree and has fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the student must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements.
Transfer students are also required to comply with the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university.
Students should complete the following prerequisite courses at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida college System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted.
- Two introductory courses in Geography with GEO prefix (6 credit hours) must be completed.
Total Major Hours: 44 Hours
Major Core
The Geography bachelor's degree of 44 total hours comprises six core courses (14 credit hours) that includes a specified concentration (30 credit hours). To complete their elective requirements for Geography, students are encouraged to consider courses offered in Geology and Environmental Science and Policy.
Major Core Courses - 14 Hours
- GEO 2200 Introduction to Physical Geography
- GEO 2200L Introduction to Physical Geography Lab
- GEO 2400 Human Geography
- GEO 3164C Research Methods in Geography
- GEO 4933 Geography Colloquium
- GIS 4043C Geographic Information Systems
Three concentrations are offered: Physical Geography, Human Geography, and General Geography, comprising 30 credit hours (10 courses) each. Students must identify a concentration in consultation with their academic advisor in the School of Geosciences and select appropriate courses as shown below.
Concentration Core Courses - 30 Hours
Students must take a minimum of:
- Four courses from the Human Geography category (12 credit hours)
- Two courses from the Human Environment Interaction category (6 credit hours)
- One course from the Geographical Technique and Analysis category (3 credit hours)
- One course from the Regional Perspectives category (3 credit hours)
- Two additional courses selected from any Geography category (6 credit hours)
*Course may be taken one additional time.
Courses taken as Special Topics in Geography (GEO 4930) and Selected Topics in Environmental Science and Policy (EVR 4930) may substitute for elective courses in particular categories as designated by the undergraduate director.
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Additional Requirements
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