Geography B.A. – Geographic Information Science Emphasis
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Location: Candelaria 2200
Email: HSS@unco.edu
Website: www.unco.edu/hss/geography-gis-sustainability
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of three parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
One of the fastest-growing areas in geography is the use of geographic information sciences (GIS) to generate maps and store map-related information. GIS is a system of computer hardware and software that stores, displays, analyzes, and maps geographic information. Geographers, planners, land developers, real estate agents, market analysts, utility companies, and municipal officials all use these systems. For example, using GIS, students can analyze population distribution, traffic movement, land availability, real estate prices, environmental hazards, soil types, and flood zones to help local governments make informed land-use decisions.
Program Admission Requirements:
Academic Good Standing
Program Requirements:
- Students may take 3 of the credits outside the program with advisor approval. GEOG 300 and GEOG 325 may be taken for credit more than once with different topics.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the following LAC courses which also count toward the 49 required major credits.
Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list of LAC courses may extend the length of the program of study.
Written Communication — 6 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
Select any course to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Mathematics courses
Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies, and International Studies — 15 credits
To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.
GEOG 100 World Geography or GEOG 110 Geography of the United States and Canada are recommended to fulfill the LAC Social & Behavioral Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Natural & Physical Sciences courses
See Liberal Arts Curriculum
2. Required Major — 49 credits
Core Courses (28 credits)
Take all of the following courses:
Take both of the following courses:
Competencies Courses (12 credits)
Choose four of the following courses:
If GEOG 485 is taken it must be for 3 credits. GEOG 492 may be taken for credit more than once, but only 3 credits will count toward the major.
Systematic Courses (6 credits)
Choose two of the following courses:
NOTE: GEOG 422 may be taken for credit more than once, but only 3 credits will count toward the major.
Physical Geography Courses (3 credits)
Choose one of the following courses:
3. University-Wide Credits — 40 credits*
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for any degree at UNC; for this program, that will typically be 40 credits.
*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements will have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.