Undergraduate Catalog 2017-18
Majors
Geography (GPY) with a concentration in Physical Geography (PGG)
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:
- Five courses from the Physical Geography category (15 credit hours)
- EVR 4027 Wetland Environments
- EVR 4104 Karst Environments
- EVR 4218 Research Methods in Wildlife Ecology
- GEO 3280 Environmental Hydrology
- GEO 4210 Process Geomorphology
- GEO 4244 Tropical Meteorology
- GEO 4265 Soil Genesis and Classification
- GEO 4300 Biogeography
- GLY 4734 Beaches and Coastal Environments
- MET 4002C Climatology
- MET 4012C Meteorology
- MET 4106C Climate Studies
- One course from the Human Environment Interaction category (3 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), Selected Topics in Geology (GLY 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.
Research Opportunities
All undergraduate students in any degree program can participate in undergraduate research. There are a number of options to receive academic credit for a mentored research experience and to have the experience show on the official transcript. Students who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 2912 or IDS 4914 courses. These courses will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office for Undergraduate Research will assist students in understanding the various course options.
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Additional Requirements
There are additional requirements for this major such as grade, GPA, foreign language, and/or general education requirements.
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