Undergraduate Program

LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

The Department of Geography has developed some general learning objectives for students who are seeking an undergraduate degree in Geography here at SIUE. The expectation is that students who receive a Bachelor's degree in Geography will be able to:

a) express geographic/spatial ideas clearly, logically, and effectively with the written or spoken word.

b) understand the relevance and relationship of general education knowledge to the discipline of geography and to draw upon general education for solving geographic problems.

EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION

To pursue a career in geography, a student must successfully complete a college- preparatory program of study in high school and gain admission to the University. English, social studies, earth sciences and/or physics and quantitative courses (mathematics at least through algebra) are especially important high school disciplines.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR OR MINOR IN GEOGRAPHY

You may declare a major or minor at any time during your college career, but the majority of students declare their major or minor in their sophomore or junior year. A major in geography requires 36 hours of geography coursework. A minor requires 18 hours of geography coursework. Ordinarily, minors may transfer up to nine hours of credit. Majors may transfer as many as 15 hours of credit which must be at or above the sophomore level. Transfer grades must be C or better.

Geography majors and minors must earn a grade C or better in all their geography courses. All majors must complete a minor in a related field or develop an Area of Specialization (AOS) (described below) in consultation with their faculty advisor.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS BACHELOR OF ARTS OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOGRAPHY

General Education Requirements 42-44 hours
Major in Geography 36 hours
Minor in another discipline or Area of Specialization (AOS) 18 hours
Electives 26-28 hours

Total 124 hours

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (42-44 HOURS)

Refer to the General Education Requirements section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Some General Education requirements may be satisfied while completing the major concentration. Also note that students seeking teacher certification must take specific General Education requirements. See the Secondary Education section of the Undergraduate Catalog for details. Candidates for Bachelor of Science degree must elect Option A in the General Education skills area. Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must elect Option B in the General Education skills area.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN GEOGRAPHY - BACHELOR OF ARTS OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE) - 36 HOURS

Geography Core Requirements
Geog 201 (required) - World Regions
Geog 205 (required) - Human Geography
Geog 210 (required) - Physical Geography
Geog 320 (required) - Cartography
Geog 321 (required) - Quantitative Techniques
Geog 499 (required) - Senior Assignment

After completing GEOG 201, one (1) regional geography course must be selected from among the following:
Geog 330 - Geography of Europe
Geog 331 - Geography of Commonwealth of Independent States
Geog 332 - Geography of Africa
Geog 333 - Geography of Asia
Geog 334 - Geography of Latin America
Geog 450 - Topics in Geography (regional topic)

After completing GEOG 205, two (2) human geography courses must be selected from among the following:
Geog 300 - Geography of World Populations
Geog 301 - Economic Geography
Geog 400 - Urban Geography
Geog 401 - Geography of Development
Geog 402 - Cultural Landscape
Geog 405 - Geography of Food
Geog 406 - Political Geography
Geog 450 - Topics in Geography (human topic)

After completing GEOG 210, two (2) physical geography courses must be selected from among the following:
Geog 310 - Physical Geology
Geog 312 - Petrology and Structural Geology
Geog 314 - Climatology
Geog 315 - Geomorphology
Geog 316 - Introduction to Biogeography
Geog 408 - Snow & Ice Processes
Geog 410 - Soils
Geog 411 - Hydrology
Geog 412 - Groundwater Hydrology
Geog 413 - Environmental Geochemistry
Geog 416 - Conservation Biogeography
Geog 450 - Topics in Geography (physical topic)

After completing GEOG 320, one (1) geography techniques course must be selected from among the following:
Geog 322 - Air Photo Interpretation
Geog 418 - Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Geog 419 - Thematic Cartography
Geog 422 - Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
Geog 423 - Computer Mapping
Geog 424 - Vector Based Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Geog 425 - Raster Based Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Geog 450 - Topics in Geography (techniques topic)

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN GEOGRAPHY (18 HOURS)

The minor in Geography requires that students take 18 credits consisting of courses at the 200 level or above. The student is required to take one human geography course, one physical geography course, and one regional geography course for a total of 9 credits. Refer to groupings within the requirements of a geography major (above) to determine which category a course falls into. The remaining 9 credits in Geography may be taken as electives. A minimum grade of C is required in courses completed for the minor. The courses must be selected in consultation with the undergraduate adviser in Geography.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR OR AREA OF SPECIALIZATION (AOS) (18 HOURS)

Geography majors must complete a minor within another department or may select the Area of Specialization (AOS) option. In addition to minors in a particular subject area, students may also minor in a number of interdisciplinary minors. Those with regional interests might consider either the African Studies minor or the Asian Studies minor.

The Area of Specialization option is designed to give students an opportunity to further explore the breadth and depth of Geography and related disciplines, and consists of a unique 18 hours of course work. The area of specialization may include courses from a variety of departments, including Geography (courses must be in addition to all major requirements), and it must be designed in consultation with the area adviser and approved by the department chair using the AOS Declaration Form. All courses taken as part of an area of specialization require a minimum grade of C.

Possible Areas of Specialization include:
Biogeography, Climatology/Meteorlogy, Cultural Geography, Development Studies, Geographical Education, Geographical Information Systems/Cartography, Globalization Studies, Physical Geography, Regional Studies, and Urban Studies.

ELECTIVES (26-28 HOURS)

Usually a student would select geography electives to support a particular emphasis. In consultation with an adviser, a student may choose clusters of courses in cartography/geographic information systems (GIS), economic development, cultural geography, regional geography, physical and environmental geography, remote sensing, computer mapping, or historical geography. Many SIUE students take advantage of internships with a variety of public and private agencies in the local area. This allows them to gain valuable, practical experience in the real world while earning academic credit. Although not specifically required, a minor in a related discipline would be appropriate for a person who has focused his or her aspirations upon one of the career fields described above. Supporting courses from a variety of other disciplines can provide flexibility in the student's pursuit of a geography-related career. The selection of courses appropriate to specific areas of geography and types of careers should be accomplished in close consultation with a geography adviser.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION TO TEACH SOCIAL SCIENCE

All students seeking certification to teach Social Science in Illinois beginning July 2004 must take the state Social Science Content Test. This test is based on 29 'core' social science standards and standards in at least one 'designation area'. For students selecting Geography as their designation area they must complete the course work as described in the documents linked below.

Requirements for Social Science Certification
School of Education

ADVISORS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
Majors: Advisors for majors are determined by the student's last name, except for students pursuing Social Science certification. All students pursuing Social Science certification minors are advised by Dr. Springer.

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URL: http://www.siue.edu/GEOGRAPHY/Undergrad/Undergrad.htm
Published by: SIUE Department of Geography
Last update: October 12, 2009 by webmaster