Train for a career in earth sciences
As climate change becomes more severe, it’s more important than ever to understand earth systems and their interrelationship with human actions. With the Geography Major, you will analyze weather systems, landforms, and hydrology and investigate how social processes such as globalization, demographics, urbanization, and the construction of cultural identities shape the earth’s surface and climate. You will develop important analytical and problem-solving skills that are relevant to a wide range of scientific, environmental, and public policy–oriented careers. Then you will put theory into practice through hands-on experimentation and research in our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and earth science laboratories and in an off-campus internship or research opportunity with a local organization. Membership in Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international geography honor society, is available to distinguished students.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Learn geospatial technologies like cartography, remote sensing, and GIS
- Conduct both field- and laboratory-based analysis
- Participate in faculty-led undergraduate research on topics like water pollution, urban geography, atmospheric carbon sequestration, cartography, remote sensing of the environment, drone-based imaging, and more
- Focus your studies with a concentration in earth science education, earth system science, environmental studies, geographic information systems, and general geography
- Discover the relevance of geography to a wide array of disciplines in the natural and social sciences, including biology, chemistry, environmental science, sociology, urban studies, political science, and public policy
Concentrations in Geography
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Minimum requirement for the major is completion of a six-course (20 credit) core curriculum and one of five concentrations. Students will declare a concentration in either General Geography, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Earth System Science, or Earth Science Education. Study Away/Study Abroad is strongly encouraged for geography majors.
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Minimum requirement for the major is completion of a six-course (20 credit) core curriculum and one of five concentrations. Students will declare a concentration in either General Geography, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Earth System Science, or Earth Science Education. Study Away/Study Abroad is strongly encouraged for geography majors.
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Minimum requirement for the major is completion of a six-course (20 credit) core curriculum and one of five concentrations. Students will declare a concentration in either General Geography, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Earth System Science, or Earth Science Education. Study Away/Study Abroad is strongly encouraged for geography majors.
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Minimum requirement for the major is completion of a six-course (20 credit) core curriculum and one of five concentrations. Students will declare a concentration in either General Geography, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Earth System Science, or Earth Science Education. Study Away/Study Abroad is strongly encouraged for geography majors.
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The Geography Honors Program is intended for outstanding majors interested in research as well as those who plan to pursue an advanced degree. Honors students will complete an original research project, defend the project before an approved review committee, and present the project in at least one venue external to WSU. Applicants should have completed the geography core courses through GE-200 and have 75 credits overall.
Applicants should have a 3.5 GPA in the major although students with a 3.0 major GPA and a faculty sponsor may petition for admission. Application materials are available from the department chair.