Bachelor of Science in Geography
The Bachelor of Science in Geography (B.S.) prepares students for a career in the area of geographic information science (GIS) and environmental problem solving using a variety of spatial analysis techniques.
Basic requirements include preparation in mathematics, physic science, computer science and a history or philosophy of science course. Advanced course work includes classes in cartography and geo-visualization, GIS, remote sensing, and statistics. In addition, students are also required to take some coursework in physical and human/regional geography to understand the processes that affect human-environment interactions.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of the University Registrar website.
Requirements for the B.S. Degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| The KU Core 34 is comprised of 34-35 credit hours typically completed during the first two years of study. The Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (4-5), Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 in two different disciplines), Arts & Humanities (6 in two different disciplines), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | ||
MATH 125 Calculus I is the "math pathway" course. If a student is not ready to start in Calculus 1, this degree may take more than 4 years to complete. This course will fulfill your Core 34 Math and Statistics requirement. | ||
GEOG 111 is a required course of the major. Students are strongly advised to satsify 4 credits of their Core 34 Natural and Physical Sciences by taking this course. | ||
| Prerequisite Knowledge | ||
| Calculus I | ||
or MATH 145 | Calculus I, Honors | |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| or MATH 146 | Calculus II, Honors | |
| PHSX 211 & PHSX 216 | General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | 5 |
| or PHSX 213 | General Physics I Honors | |
| or CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | |
| PHSX 212 & PHSX 236 | General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory | 4-5 |
| or PHSX 214 | General Physics II Honors | |
| or CHEM 135 | General Chemistry II | |
| EECS 138 | Introduction to Computing: _____ | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Introductory Geography | ||
| Nature | ||
| GEOG 104 & GEOG 105 | Introduction to Physical Geography and Introductory Laboratory in Physical Geography | 4-5 |
| or GEOG 140 & GEOG 160 | Global Environment I: The Discovery of Environmental Change and Environmental Solutions | |
| Society | ||
| GEOG 100 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| or GEOG 102 | People, Place, and Society | |
| or GEOG 142 | Global Environment II: The Ecology of Human Civilization | |
| or GEOG 150 | Environment, Culture and Society | |
| Global Culture | ||
| GEOG 201 | Culture and Health | 3 |
| or GEOG 220 | Geographic Adventures in Climate Change | |
| Mapping | ||
| GEOG 111 | Mapping Our Changing World | 4 |
| Applied Geography | ||
| GEOG 311 | Introductory Cartography and Geovisualization | 4 |
| GEOG 358 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GEOG 526 | Remote Sensing of Environment I | 4 |
| GEOG 316 | Methods of Analyzing Geographical Data | 4 |
| Advanced Applied Geography | 6-7 | |
| Satisfied by two of the following: | ||
| Advanced Cartography and Geovisualization | ||
| Microclimatology | ||
| Spatial Databases | ||
| Spatial Data Analysis | ||
| GIS Application Programming | ||
Or other GIS-related courses with departmental aproval | ||
| Geography Required Electives | 9 | |
| Satisfied by any 300-600 level GEOG course. | ||
| General Electives | 22-19 | |
| Students will need to complete additional general elective credits to reach the required 120 hours. | ||
| Capstone | ||
| GEOG 500 | Senior Capstone in Geography | 3 |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Geography BS Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BS in Geography. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill Core 34, please visit the KU Core 34 page.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 | MATH 126 (Major Prerequisite) | 4 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 |
| MATH 125 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030* | 4 | Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 |
| Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences (SGE)050 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| History or Philosophy of Science (Major requirement)1 | 3 | GEOG 104 & GEOG 105 (Major requirement) | 5 |
| PHSX 211 & PHSX 216 | 5 | PHSX 212 & PHSX 236 (Major Prerequisite) | 4 |
| GEOG 102, 100, 142, or 150 | 3 | EECS 138 (Major Pre-requisite) | 3 |
| GEOG 111 (Major requirement; Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE))040* | 4 | GEOG 201 or 220 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| GEOG 311 (Major Requirement) | 4 | GEOG 358 (Major Requirement) | 4 |
| GEOG 316 (Major Requirement) | 4 | GEOG 526 (Major Requirement) | 4 |
| Advanced Applied Geography Elective (1 of 2) | 3 | Advanced Applied Geography Elective (2 of 2) | 3 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences (SGE)050 | 3 | Second area of Study /Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Second area of Study /Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 2 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| GEOG elective 300+ (1 of 3), Major requirement | 3 | GEOG 500 (Capstone Course, Major requirement)2 | 3 |
| GEOG elective 300+ (2 of 3), Major requirement | 3 | GEOG elective 300+ (3 of 3), Major requirement | 3 |
| Second area of Study /Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | Second area of Study /Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Second area of Study /Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | Second area of Study /Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Second area of Study /Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | Second area of Study /Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
- 1
Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study. Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.
- 2
All major required Geography courses and most Geography elective courses numbered 300 and above are offered once a year, either in the fall, spring, or summer term.
Please note:
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Articulate the definitions of, connections between, and differences among fundamental concepts, models, and theories in geography.
- Analyze geographically based issues using approaches and tools appropriate to the problem.
- Demonstrate sub-disciplinary/thematic depth of training and comprehension.
- Communicate effectively orally, graphically, and in writing for diverse audiences.
Departmental Honors in Geography
To be accepted as a candidate for honors, an undergraduate major must have completed at least 9 hours of upper-division credit in geography with a grade-point average of 3.5 in all geography courses. In addition to outstanding work in geography, the program requires GEOG 499, an independent study course consisting of an honors paper.
The student presents the results of this paper in an oral examination to a committee of at least 2 faculty members, normally from the geography department, chaired by the GEOG 499 supervisor. To graduate with honors, the student must complete the paper and the examination and maintain the 3.5 grade-point average.