BA/BS Major in Geography
**This program contains pending substantive changes pending approval at the ACHE September 2025 meeting**
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Component | ||
| Area I (Written Composition) | 6 | |
| Area II (Humanities and Fine Arts) | 12 | |
| Area III (Natural Sciences and Mathematics) 1 | 11 | |
| Finite Mathematics | ||
or MA 112 | College Algebra | |
| Area IV (History, Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 12 | |
| Area V | ||
| Major Core Requirements: | ||
| ES 146 | Sustainable Earth | 4 |
| ES 200 | Climate Change | 4 |
| GE 102 | Global Environments and Societies 2 | 3 |
| GE 260 | People, Place, and Culture 2 | 3 |
| GE 300W | Geographic Exploration | 3 |
| GE 325 | Cartography and Visualization | 3 |
| GE 384 | Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GE 487 | Geography Capstone Project | 3 |
| EXIT 000 | Exit Examination 3 | 0 |
| Select two Physical Geography/Earth Science courses: 2 | 8 | |
| Earth Science/Physical Geology | ||
or ES 131H | Honors Earth Science/Physical Geology | |
| Earth Science/Earth Systems | ||
| Physical Geography: Weather and Climate | ||
or GE 111H | Honors Physical Geography: Weather and Climate | |
| Physical Geography-Landforms | ||
or GE 112H | Honors Physical Geography: Landforms | |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Digital Earth | ||
| Field Methods and Technology in Geography | ||
| Maps and Map Interpretation | ||
| Select one Regional Geography course: | 3 | |
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of Russia and Associated States | ||
| Geography of the South | ||
| Geography of the United States and Canada | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of the Middle East | ||
| Geography of Asia | ||
| Geography of Africa | ||
| Historical Geography of the United States | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Complete three credit hours from any of the following Experiential Learning options | 3 | |
Field Courses 4 | ||
Education Abroad Courses 4 | ||
Internships | ||
Other courses designated as experiential learning by the department | ||
| Prescribed Supporting Courses | ||
| Select one Computer Course 5 | 3 | |
| Business Applications of Microcomputer Software | ||
or CS 135 | Computer Skills for Problem-Solving | |
| Complete the following Statistics Course | 3 | |
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Concentrations | 24-25 | |
| The Geography degree requires the completion of one of the following concentrations: | ||
| Professional Geography Concentration | ||
| Sustainability Concentration | ||
| Minor | ||
A minor or second major is not required for the Geography major. | ||
| General Elective hours, if required, to bring total to 120 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
For the BA degree, 6 hours of a foreign language at the introductory level.
- 2
These courses complete the Area III (Natural Sciences and Mathematics) or Area IV (History, Social and Behavioral Sciences) portion of the General Education componenet.
- 3
To be completed in the students graduating semester.
- 4
Courses that count as field courses or study away courses will be determined by the Department Chair.
- 5
Fulfills computer literacy requirement.
Professional Geography Concentration
The Professional Geography concentration for the BA/BS in Geography requires 24 additional credit hours of upper-division Geography and/or Earth Science courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| 24 hours 300/400 upper level Geography and/or Earth Science Courses | 24 | |
| Up to 6 credit hours can be taken from the courses listed below with Advisor and Department Chair approval: | ||
| Coastal Wetlands Ecology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography | ||
| Criminology | ||
| History and Social Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Public History | ||
| History of Alabama | ||
| Principles of Management | ||
| Leadership and Organizational Behavior | ||
| Principles of Marketing | ||
| World Politics | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Interpretation of Cultural and Natural Resources | ||
| Natural Resource Management | ||
| Special Topics in Southern Studies | ||
| Global Women's Issues | ||
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Sustainability Concentration
The Sustainability concentration for the BA/BS in Geography requires an additional 25 credit hours, with 22 credit hours of upper-division Earth Science courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 22 | |
| Sustainable Ecosystems | ||
| Environmental Systems | ||
| Water Resources | ||
| Energy | ||
| Sustainable Food and Agriculture | ||
| Waste | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Choose ONE course from the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Occupational Safety and Health | ||
| World Politics | ||
| Public Administration | ||
| Interagency Cooperation | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Current Social Problems | ||
| Total Hours | 25 | |