Geography Minor

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Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

About the Program

Geographers are among the government officials, community leaders, activists, researchers, and business people who use data-driven research to develop solutions to complex environmental, social, economic, and political problems. Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences and the natural sciences, and in providing geospatial analyses of environmental and socio-economic problems. The program provides a foundation for understanding problems and implementing equitable solutions to improve the quality of human-environment dynamics. The Geography Minor combines fundamental courses in natural and social systems and geospatial science with specialized electives within four disciplinary sub-fields - Political Economy Approaches to Sustainability, Geographic Information Science, Physical Geography, and Planning. Students have flexibility in choosing courses and pursuing their areas of interest.

Program Requirements

This minor is a total of 20-22 credits.
Students must complete each course with a grade of “C-” or better.

Required Courses: 6-7 credits

Students are required to complete two courses, each from a different course area listed below. These courses provide an introduction to the main sub-fields of Geography, and methods of geographic inquiry. Two courses are required. (6-7 credits minimum).

Elective Courses: 14-15 credits

Students are required to select a minimum of 14-15 credits of elective courses in Geography (GEG) or Geographic Information Science (GIS) from any of the core geographical knowledge areas listed below. Students may take courses from multiple areas towards the minor.

1. Political Economy Approaches to Sustainability

Courses integrate physical and social sciences with planning and spatial analysis as a foundation for understanding problems and implementing solutions to improve the quality of the built environment, economies, and policies to promote sustainability and social justice.

GEG 3300 - Indigenous Territories and Spatial Justice Credits: 3
GEG 3360 - Economic Geography Credits: 3
GEG 3700 - Urban Sustainability Credits: 3
GEG 3720 - Global Sustainable Development Credits: 3
GEG 4700 - Sustainability in Resource Management Credits: 3
GEG 4720 - Planning for Climate Change Credits: 3

2. Geographic Information Science

Courses develop theoretical knowledge and technical training in Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, cartography and database systems in order to define and solve problems in the management, conservation, and improvement of natural and human environments.

GIS 1220 - Digital Earth: Geospatial Technologies Credits: 4
GIS 3250 - Cartography Credits: 3
GIS 3410 - Web Mapping Credits: 3
GIS 4810 - GIS Programming Credits: 3
GIS 4840 - Remote Sensing Credits: 3
GIS 4850 - Spatial Modeling in Raster Credits: 4
GIS 4860 - GIS Applications Credits: 4
GIS 4870 - Spatial Databases Credits: 3
GIS 300-4999 Any UD Geographic Information Science class

3. Physical Geography

Courses examine natural processes and phenomena at the Earth surface, and their connections with human activities.

GEG 3410 - Biogeography Credits: 3
GEL 3120 - Geomorphology Credits: 4
GEG 3330 - Climatology Credits: 3
GEG 3420 - Soil Science Credits: 3
GEG 3422 - Methods of Soil Analysis and Sampling Credits: 1
GEG 4150 - Hydrology (Surface Water) Credits: 4

4. Urban and Regional Processes and Planning

Courses provide students with the skills to address the social, economic, and spatial relationships that shape urban regions.

GEG 3600 - Urban Geography Credits: 3
GEG 3610 - Principles of Urban and Regional Planning Credits: 3
GEG 3630 - Transportation Planning and Land Use Credits: 3
GEG 4430 - Habitat Planning Credits: 3
GEG 4610 - Advanced Urban and Regional Planning Credits: 3

5. Independent Research and Individualized Experience

This core area allows students to pursue individual interests via directed study or internship experiences, and to explore additional coursework in Geography, as opportunities arise.

GEG 3920 - Directed Study in Geography Credits: 2-6 *Maximum of 3 credits can count towards the minor.
GEG 4950 - Internship in Geography Credits: 2-15 *Maximum of 3 credits can count towards the minor.
GEG 4975 - Geography Capstone Credits: 3
GEG 3000-4999 Any UD Geography Course

Summary of Requirements

Required Courses	6-7 credits
Elective Courses	14-15 credits
Total for the Geography Minor	20-22 credits