Geography

Degree: B.A., Geography
Department of Geography

The Geography Department hosts two majors and a certificate in Geographic Information Science. Majors in Geography and in Geospatial Analysis both lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography. 

Geography is the study of the interaction between people and their environments, both natural and human. Geographers examine the places and regions resulting from such interaction and analyze the spatial characteristics of all manner of cultural, economic, political, and physical processes and relationships. Students in the Geography major select one of three areas for specialization: 

Society and Politics
A focus on the geographies of people and power. Topics include planning, cities, race & place, globalization, and migration.

Culture
A focus on the geographies of how people live and make places meaningful. Topics include Latin America, the Middle East, sacred spaces, and development studies.

Environment
A focus on the geographies of natural and human environmental processes. Topics include biodiversity, natural hazards, climate change, and urban sustainability.

Through classroom and laboratory experience, field work, and community involvement, students gain the knowledge and skills required to appreciate the diversity of people and places, the integration and interrelationships of places, and the spatial processes that affect modern society.  

Geography majors acquire spatial thinking skills by studying research methods appropriate for their area of specialization. These include: geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, remote sensing, field methods, quantitative, and qualitative methods. Majors are also encouraged to engage in internships, study abroad programs, and undergraduate research. 

Facilities for geographic studies at Mary Washington include well-equipped laboratories for the study and practice of physical geography, GIS, cartography, and remote sensing. The department hosts a chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the International Geography Honorary Society. 

During the senior year qualified students may pursue Honors in Geography by completing an independent research project and writing and defending a thesis.  

Geography majors have pursued a wide variety of careers. These jobs include working for GIS and mapping companies, consulting and engineering firms, as well as numerous non-profit and government organizations. Majoring in geography prepares graduates for work in many different areas, as students have experience studying both the human and physical dimensions of the world. Many graduates also choose to continue their education in graduate schools, studying everything from meteorology to political geography. 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will understand the key concepts within the integrated discipline of geography.

2. Students will read, interpret, and critique a map.

3. Students will identify, understand, and critique spatial data or evidence, whether qualitative, quantitative, or cartographic.

4. Students will apply a suitable geographical approach, technique, or method within a research project.

5. Students will identify personal strengths and areas of expertise within geography. 

Major Requirements

A minimum of 35-36 credits in Geography and Geographic Information Science.

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These can include individual studies, special topics classes, and GISC 471 classes. Students can substitute one course from a related field for one of the electives with permission of the department chair.

 

 

Certificate in Geographic Information Science can be found by using this link.

General Education Requirements

The general education requirements for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degrees apply to all students who are seeking to earn an undergraduate B.A., B.S. or B.S.Ed. degree.

Students seeking a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree have a separate set of BLS general education requirements.

Electives

Elective courses are those that are not needed to fulfill a general education requirement or major program requirement but are chosen by the student to complete the 120 credits required for graduation with a B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. degree or the BLS degree. These courses may be taken graded or pass/fail (or S/U in the case of physical education and 100-level dance). No student in a regular B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. program may count more than 60 credits in a single discipline toward the 120 credits required for graduation.

Total Credits Required for the Degree: 120 credits

Plan of Study

This suggested plan of study should serve as a guide to assist students when planning their course selections. It is not a substitute for a student's Degree Evaluation or the Program Requirements listed for this major in the catalog. Academic planning is the student's responsibility, and course selections should be finalized only after speaking with an advisor. Students should familiarize themselves with the catalog in effect at the time they matriculated at the University of Mary Washington. Students should also familiarize themselves with general education requirements which can be fulfilled through general electives as well as major/minor course requirements. Course requirements and sequencing may vary with AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge or previous coursework, transfer courses, or other conditions. To be considered full-time, an undergraduate student must be enrolled in 12 or more credits for the semester.

Geography Faculty

Melina A. Patterson, Chair
Dawn S. Bowen, Career Advisor

Professors

Dawn S. Bowen
Stephen P. Hanna
Farhang Rouhani

Associate Professors

Caitlin C. Finlayson
Jacqueline Gallagher
Marco Millones Mayer
Joseph W. Nicholas
Melina A. Patterson
Ping Yin