The department of geography, geology and planning has a new addition to the family.
Students can now study geography and sustainability as a comprehensive major.
The addition is in response to demand from both employers and students.
“We face significant challenges in balancing environmental conservation, economics and resource development,” said geography, geology and planning department head Dr. Toby Dogwiler. “Employers want to hire professionals to help them navigate through these challenges.”
Three new track options
Students now can complete their Bachelor of Science in geography and sustainability in at least 57 credit hours.
Students may choose between three tracks:
- The geography track option encompasses a focus in geography through the lens of national parks, economics, world politics and more.
- The sustainable development track option includes five focus areas. Students following this track will learn about applied sustainability, regional perspectives, planning, economics and policy.
- The sustainable watershed management track will provide students with an understanding in the areas of water systems, planning framework and terrestrial systems.
“Sustainability concepts and applications are woven throughout all the geography major options,” Dr. Dogwiler said. “The principles of sustainability have been an integral part of geography teaching and scholarship since before the term sustainability was even coined.”
Learn more about the comprehensive degree
New and improved non-comprehensive degree
While the non-comprehensive geography and sustainability degrees have already existed, the department has updated the course frameworks in order to also meet the demands of the workforce and the growing interest areas of students.
Students can receive their BS or BA in geography and sustainability within 38 hours in the non-comprehensive major. Both options require a minor or second major.