B.S. in Geography
College of Business and Public Management
The Bachelor of Science in Geography offers a choice of five emphases (called “tracks”): traditional geography (cultural, environmental, and economic geography including an international perspective), geographic information science (GIScience), location analytics, environmental geography, and elective social studies teacher certification. The geographic information science and location analytics areas emphasize specialized skill development. Internships are available and are recommended for qualified students.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS | ||
| Academic Foundations | ||
| First Year Experience requirement | 4 | |
| English Composition requirement 1 | 6-7 | |
| Mathematics requirement | 3-4 | |
| Interdisciplinary requirement | 3 | |
| Diverse Communities requirement | 3 | |
| Ethics requirement | 3 | |
| Distributed Disciplinary Foundations | ||
| Science requirement | 6-8 | |
| Behavioral & Social Science requirement | 6 | |
| Humanities requirement | 6 | |
| Arts requirement | 3 | |
| ADDITIONAL BACCALAUREATE REQUIREMENTS | ||
| University Requirements | ||
| Writing Emphasis requirement | 9 | |
| Speaking Emphasis requirement | 9 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
or SPK 230 | Business and Professional Speech Communication | |
| Degree Requirements | ||
| Capstone requirement | 1-15 | |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| GEO 102 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEO 225 | Introduction to Maps and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEO 230 | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | 3 |
| GEO 310 | Population Geography | 3 |
| GEO 324 | Intro to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEO 326 | Quantitative Analysis in Geography and Planning | 3 |
| GEO 400 | Senior Seminar In Geography | 3 |
| Additional Geography or Social/Behavioral Science Courses | ||
| Select one from the following list: | 3 | |
| World Geography 2 | ||
| Human Geography 2 | ||
| Introduction to Geospatial Technology and Analytics 2 | ||
| Track Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following tracks: | ||
Geography Track | ||
| Select three courses from specified groups 3 | 9 | |
| Select three courses from specified lists of courses 3 | 9 | |
Location Analytics Track | ||
| GEO 318 | Economic Geography | 3 |
| GEO 325 | Intro Business GIS | 3 |
| GEO 425 | Business GIS Applications | 3 |
| Select three courses from specified lists of courses 3 | 9 | |
Geographic Information Science Track | ||
| GEO 328 | Computer Cartography | 3 |
| GEO 424 | Geographic Information Systems Application | 3 |
| GEO 427 | Geodatabase System | 3 |
| Select three courses from specified lists of courses 3 | 9 | |
Environmental Geography Track | ||
| GEO 205 | Geography of Agriculture, Food & Sustainability | 3 |
| GEO 332 | Environmental Crises | 3 |
| GEO 334 | Sustainable Living | 3 |
| Select three courses from specified lists of courses 3 | 9 | |
Elective Social Studies Teacher Certification Track | ||
See program page for specific Certification requirements. | ||
| Related/Cognate Requirements | ||
| Courses (taken under advisement) that are specifically related to identified career aspirations, and chosen outside general requirements, or geography core: | 15 | |
| Required of all majors: | ||
| Business and Organizational Writing | ||
or ENG 371 | Technical Writing | |
| Required for location analytics track: four courses selected under advisement | ||
| Required of geographic information science track: four courses selected under advisement | ||
| Required of environmental geographic track: four courses selected under advisement | ||
| Capstone Requirement | ||
| GEO 404 | Senior Project in Geography 4 | 3 |
| Student Electives | ||
Select 3-15 credits | ||
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 120 | |
- 1
Geography majors must pass WRT 120 and WRT 200 (or equivalent) with a grade of 2.0 or higher.
- 2
Geography majors must pass GEO 101, GEO 103, or GEO 104 with a grade of 2.0 or higher.
- 3
Taken under advisement
- 4
This course fulfills the Capstone requirement
Accelerated B.S. in Geography to M.S. in Geography Program
Any Geography major with junior-standing in the Environmental, Location Analytics, GIScience, or Geography track, with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher may substitute up to 12 graduate credits to satisfy the B.S. program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select from the courses below: | ||
| GEO 502 | Topical Seminar in Geography | 3 |
| GEO 505 | Planning Design | 3 |
| GEO 506 | Seminar in Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEO 507 | Internet Applications of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEO 521 | Suburbanization and Land Development | 3 |
| GEO 524 | Population Processes | 3 |
| GEO 525 | Urban and Regional Planning | 3 |
| GEO 526 | Metropolitan Systems and Problems | 3 |
| PLN 527 | Planning Law and Organization | 3 |
| GEO 531 | Transportation Planning | 3 |
| PLN 536 | Environmental Planning | 3 |
| GEO 538 | Environmental Modeling with Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEO 554 | Geography and Planning of Housing | 3 |
| GEO 577 | Geodatabases | 3 |
To track their individual degree progress, students are advised to access their Degree Progress Report (DPR) via myWCU regularly. For more information, visit wcupa.edu/DegreeProgressReport.
The following is a sample suggested course sequence for this program; course offerings and availability are not guaranteed. Students should consult their academic advisor with any questions.
B.S. in Geography: General Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Credits | |
| GEO 102 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| WRT 120 | Effective Writing I | 3 |
| FYE 100X | First Year Experience | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| GEO 101 | World Geography | 3 |
| GEO 230 | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | 3 |
| MAT 103 | Introduction to Mathematics (or higher) | 3 |
| SPK 208 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Semester Three | ||
| GEO 225 | Introduction to Maps and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| WRT 200 | Critical Writing and Research | 3 |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| GEO 204 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 3 |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Semester Five | ||
| GEO 324 | Intro to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| GEO 310 | Population Geography | 3 |
| GEO 326 | Quantitative Analysis in Geography and Planning | 3 |
| ENG 368 or ENG 371 |
Business and Organizational Writing or Technical Writing |
3 |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Semester Seven | ||
| GEO 400 | Senior Seminar In Geography | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| GEO 404 | Senior Project in Geography | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
B.S. in Geography: GIScience Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Credits | |
| GEO 102 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEO 104 | Introduction to Geospatial Technology and Analytics | 3 |
| WRT 120 | Effective Writing I | 3 |
| FYE 100X | First Year Experience | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| GEO 101 | World Geography | 3 |
| GEO 230 | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | 3 |
| MAT 103 | Introduction to Mathematics (or higher) | 3 |
| SPK 208 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Semester Three | ||
| GEO 225 | Introduction to Maps and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEO 324 | Intro to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| WRT 200 | Critical Writing and Research | 3 |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| GEO 204 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 3 |
| GEO 328 | Computer Cartography | 3 |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Semester Five | ||
| GEO 427 | Geodatabase System | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| GEO 310 | Population Geography | 3 |
| GEO 326 | Quantitative Analysis in Geography and Planning | 3 |
| GEO 424 | Geographic Information Systems Application | 3 |
| ENG 368 or ENG 371 |
Business and Organizational Writing or Technical Writing |
3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Semester Seven | ||
| GEO 400 | Senior Seminar In Geography | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| GEO 404 | Senior Project in Geography | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
B.S. in Geography: Environmental Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Credits | |
| GEO 102 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEO 205 | Geography of Agriculture, Food & Sustainability | 3 |
| WRT 120 | Effective Writing I | 3 |
| FYE 100X | First Year Experience | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| GEO 101 | World Geography | 3 |
| GEO 230 | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | 3 |
| MAT 103 | Introduction to Mathematics (or higher) | 3 |
| SPK 208 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Semester Three | ||
| PLN 214 | Introduction to Planning | 3 |
| GEO 225 | Introduction to Maps and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEO 324 | Intro to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| WRT 200 | Critical Writing and Research | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| GEO 204 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 3 |
| GEO 332 | Environmental Crises | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Semester Five | ||
| GEO 324 | Intro to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| GEO 310 | Population Geography | 3 |
| GEO 326 | Quantitative Analysis in Geography and Planning | 3 |
| GEO 334 | Sustainable Living | 3 |
| ENG 368 or ENG 371 |
Business and Organizational Writing or Technical Writing |
3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Semester Seven | ||
| GEO 400 | Senior Seminar In Geography | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| GEO 404 | Senior Project in Geography | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
B.S. in Geography: Location Analytics Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Credits | |
| GEO 102 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEO 104 | Introduction to Geospatial Technology and Analytics | 3 |
| WRT 120 | Effective Writing I | 3 |
| FYE 100X | First Year Experience | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| GEO 101 | World Geography | 3 |
| GEO 230 | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability | 3 |
| MAT 104 | Introduction to Applied Mathematics (or higher) | 3 |
| SPK 208 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Semester Three | ||
| GEO 225 | Introduction to Maps and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEO 318 | Economic Geography | 3 |
| GEO 324 | Intro to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| WRT 200 | Critical Writing and Research | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| GEO 204 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 3 |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Semester Five | ||
| GEO 325 | Intro Business GIS | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| GEO 310 | Population Geography | 3 |
| GEO 326 | Quantitative Analysis in Geography and Planning | 3 |
| ENG 368 or ENG 371 |
Business and Organizational Writing or Technical Writing |
3 |
| GEO 425 | Business GIS Applications | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Semester Seven | ||
| GEO 400 | Senior Seminar In Geography | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| GEO 404 | Senior Project in Geography | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| Geography Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
