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Aug 31, 2024
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2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Geography Major, B.A.
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Background and Mission Statement
Geographers study Earth and its land, features, and inhabitants, ranging in scale from local to global. Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences and the natural sciences. Geographers pursue rewarding careers in education, business, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. For additional career information, please visit http://www.msudenver.edu/eas/students/careers/. Students must complete each course with a grade of “C-” or better. The degree is an extended major that does not require a minor. Students must complete 120 hours or more of coursework of which 40-hours or more must be upper division course work (3000 & 4000 level). Students must select a concentration in Physical Geography or Sustainability.
The mission of the geography program is to provide a multidisciplinary education that integrates physical and social science with spatial analysis. This provides a foundation for understanding problems and implementing solutions to improve the quality of human-environment dynamics. The geography curriculum combines general courses in the natural and social systems of the landscapes of the Earth. The vital thread of human relationships to the environment links concentrations in Physical Geography and Sustainability.
Program Goals
- To prepare students for professional practice that stresses critical analysis and innovative problem solving.
- To introduce and train students to multidisciplinary, sustainable approaches to address the natural and social systems of landscapes of the earth.
- To use spatial analysis as a tool for explaining the occurrence, distribution, and interrelationships of the physical earth systems and human activities.
- To develop a competency in obtaining, comprehending, and presenting geographic data though fieldwork and use of geospatial techniques.
- To prepare students for a professional career while encouraging students to engage in life-long learning.
- To emphasize current and future global problems as well as the best practices to deal with the problems.
- To encourage social learning through community engagement and creative problem-solving activities.
- To strengthen institutional linkages between academic programs at MSU Denver with public and private sector entities in the Metropolitan Denver region.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Examine and identify the relationship between human and physical patterns on Earth.
- Discuss the interaction among natural and social factors and explain their influence on the landscapes of Earth.
- Demonstrate competency in both writing and oral presentation of geographic information using appropriate technology.
- Select and apply an array of analytic tools to examine spatial issues, problems, and conflicts.
- Design, plan, and evaluate solutions for complex multi-dimensional geographical problems.
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Required Prerequisite Courses
Recommended Prerequisite Courses
Notes
1Satisfies the General Studies Written Communication Requirement
2Satisfies the General Studies Quantitative Literacy Requirement
3Satisfies the General Studies Oral Communication Requirement
4Satisfies the General Studies Natural and Physical Sciences Requirement
5Satisfies the General Studies Social and Behavioral Sciences I Requirement
6Satisfies the General Studies Social and Behavioral Sciences II Requirement
7Satisfies the Global Diversity Requirement
8Satisfies the Multicultural Requirement
In addition to prerequisite coursework, students must fulfill General Studies and Global Diversity requirements as well as the University Multicultural requirement. Some courses can be used to meet General Studies categories as well as Multicultural and Global Diversity requirements. Students may also use unrestricted electives to satisfy these requirements. Students should meet with an academic advisor for clarification.
Geography Core Courses for Physical and Sustainability Concentrations
Geography: Physical Concentration
Physical geographers are concerned with the occurrence, distribution, and interrelationships of physical (natural) earth systems and their connection with human activities. The Physical Geography concentration is designed to develop competence in the description, recognition, and explanation of geographic phenomena. Geographic research, through the use of spatial analysis techniques, is emphasized to develop skills so that students can construct applied solutions to problems arising from human use and modification of natural resources. This concentration is appropriate for students who want a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of the Earth Sciences. The major prepares students for professional careers in both the private and public sectors as well as for graduate studies.
Physical Geography Concentration Required Courses
Internship Course
Students are required to select at least 3 hours of internship credit.
Senior Experience Course
Students are required to select 3 hours of senior experience credit.
Notes
* Course requires additional prerequisites or corequisites
Geography: Sustainability Concentration
The Geography degree with a concentration in Sustainability provides a multidisciplinary education that integrates physical and social science with planning and spatial analysis. This provides a foundation for understanding problems and implementing solutions to improve the quality of the built environment in a manner that promotes sustainability and social justice. The curriculum offers courses in the socio, economic, and ecological dimensions of sustainability to reflect the increased need for professionals versed in the crucial, emerging field of sustainable development. The major provides the analytical tools for understanding the causes and magnitude of environmental problems, is broad in scope, prepares students to initiate, foster, and manage the pace of change, and can be applied to a number of career objectives and graduate school opportunities. Professional opportunities exist in different areas such as urban and regional planning, environment and resource management, sustainable business practices, education, and a variety of other interrelated fields.
Sustainability Concentration Required Courses
Additional Sustainability Courses
Students are required to select at least 18 hours from the list below.
Internship Course
Students are required to select at least 3 hours of internship credit
Senior Experience Course
Students are required to select 3 hours of senior experience credit.
Notes
* Course requires additional prerequisites or corequisites
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