Geographical Sciences (GEOG)

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
2108 LeFrak Hall, 301-405-4073
www.geog.umd.edu
geog-advise@umd.edu
Chair: C. Justice
Professors: R. Dubayah (Graduate Director), S. Goward, M. Hansen (Prof), K. Hubacek (Adjunct Prof, Prof), G. Hurtt (Adjunct Prof, Prof), C. Justice, E. Kasischke, M. Kearney, S. Liang, S. Prince, J. Townsend
Associate Professors: J. Cirrincione, M. Geores (Associate Chair), P. Torrens (Res Assoc Prof)
Assistant Professors: J. Kellner (Visit Asst Prof, Asst Prof), T. Loboda (Asst Prof), J. Silva (Adjunct Asst Prof), I. Yeo (Asst Prof), N. Zhou
Lecturers: I. Csiszar (Assoc Res Sci, Lecturer), E. Ellicott (Res Asst Prof, Lecturer), A. Eney, L. Giglio (Res Assoc Prof, Lecturer), R. Luna (Undergraduate Director), J. Ma (Lecturer), R. Sohlberg (Fac Res Asst, Lecturer), J. Trocino (Lecturer), E. Vermote (Res Prof, Lecturer), M. Zlatic
Adjunct Professors: R. Izaurralde, N. Rosenberg, J. Short (Adjunct Prof), C. Tucker, D. Williams
Adjunct Associate Professors: J. Althausen, S. Goetz, C. Walthall
Adjunct Assistant Professors: J. Morisette
Professors Emeriti: H. Brodsky, R. Harper, D. Thompson, J. Wiedel

The Major

How do you see the future?  More of everything: food, parks, leisure, personal electronic devices, peace between the nations?  Or more people, new diseases, traffic gridlock, and starvation?  Will there still be crabs and oysters from the Chesapeake Bay?

The world is changing at unprecedented rates, primarily as a result of human actions. Opportunities for increased well-being of humans and the environment abound. On the other hand, competition for resources such as fresh water and oil is reaching crisis proportions.

The future of humanity depends on skillful management of our environment by planning the social, urban, suburban and rural settings where we work, live and play.  Expert care of the environment is needed to maintain supplies of food, natural products, water, and the other resources on which life depends. New insights into the social, economic and urban environment can help control poverty and crime.

Geographical Sciences concerns the relations between people and the natural world, the effects of ecosystems on human beings and vice versa, the choices people make, the effects of past actions on people today, and the effects of today's choices on future generations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Having completed the degree program, students should have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

1. Possess an understanding of the nature of the physical systems and processes of the Earth's environment and their interactions.
2. Understand the nature of the geographical approach and its value in understanding human-environment relationships.
3. Know the methods and techniques of data collection, display and analysis used in the study of environmental systems.

Academic Programs and Departmental Facilities

The Geographical Science Department has two 25-seat computer teaching laboratories that are used in undergraduate coursework, particularly in GIS/Remote Sensing courses.  There are different types of equipment for field research and remote sensing, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are also available.

Requirements for the Major

Within any of the specializations available in the geographical sciences program it is possible for students to adjust their programs to fit their individual interests. The geographical sciences major totals 35 semester hours. In addition to the 35 semester hours, the geographical sciences major is required to take an additional 15 semester hours of supporting course work outside of the department. The hours can be either in one department or in an area of specialization. An area of specialization requires that a written program of courses be reviewed and placed on file by the department advisor. Visit or call the Advising Office, Lefrak 2108, 301-405-4073, e-mail geog-advise@umd.edu, or see the web page at www.geog.umd.edu. Supporting courses generally are related to the area of specialty in geographical sciences. The pass-fail option is not applicable to major or supporting courses. A minimum grade of C- in each course is required for major and supporting courses. Students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average across all courses, including the supporting sequence, used to satisfy the major degree requirements.

Geographical Sciences Major

The required courses for geography majors are as follows:

 

	Required Courses
GEOG201	Geography of Environmental Systems	3
GEOG202	The World in Cultural Perspective	3
GEOG211	Geography of Environmental Systems Laboratory	1
GEOG212	The World in Cultural Perspective Lab	1
PHYSICAL	Upper-level physical geography course	3
HUMAN	Upper-level physical human course	3
TECHNIQUE	Upper-level geographic technique course	3
	At least one upper-level course in physical geography, human geography and geographic technique is required regardless of the specialty of the individual student's program.  These courses build on the initial base provided by the Primary Courses, and also serve as the basis for selection of upper-level geography courses.
ELECT 300/400	Upper-level geography electives	15
GEOG306	Introduction to Geographic Methods for the Geographic Environmental Sciences	3
	Total Credits:	35
	Supporting Courses
MATH220	Elementary Calculus I	3
SUPPORT	Supporting courses approved by GEOG advisor	12

 

Introduction to Geography

The 100-level geography courses are general education courses for persons who have had no previous contact with the discipline in high school or for persons planning to take only one course in geography. They provide general overviews of the field or in one of its major topics. Credit for these courses is not applied to the major.

Related Programs

Geographic Information Science/Computer Cartography Major

The Geographical Sciences Department offers an important area of specialization: GIS and Computer Cartography. The Bachelor of Science degree program in Geographic Information Science and Computer Cartography is designed to give students the technical skills needed to acquire, manage and analyze very large amounts of geographic data. Students will get extensive computer training in digital processing of remote sensing observations and cartographic vector data, spatial analysis, and the display of information products. Almost everything we do involves geographic information, from deciding where to live and travel, to environmental monitoring and urban planning. Influenced by computer technology, the academic disciplines of geographic information science such as remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and computer cartography have evolved dramatically in the past few decades. Remote sensing is the science of obtaining geographic information from aircraft and satellites. GIS technology manages and analyzes different forms of digital geographic data, and this field has been growing at an extraordinary rate. Computer cartography has revolutionized traditional cartography to vastly improve map making and visualization of geographic information in a multimedia environment.

The required courses for GIS majors are as follows:

	Required Courses
GEOG201	Geography of Environmental Systems	3
GEOG202	The World in Cultural Perspective	3
GEOG211	Geography of Environmental Systems Laboratory	1
GEOG212	The World in Cultural Perspective Lab	1
PHYSICAL	Upper-level physical geography course	3
HUMAN	Upper-level physical human geography course	3
GEOG306	Introduction to Geographic Methods for the Geographic Environmental Sciences	3
ELECT 300.400	Upper-level geography electives	3
GEOG372	Remote Sensing	3
GEOG373	Geographic Information Systems	3
GEOG375	Computer Cartography	3
GEOG472	Remote Sensing: Digital Processing and Analysis	3
GEOG473	Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis	3
	Total Credits	35
	Supporting Courses
	Supporting courses approved by GEOG advisor	12
	One from
MATH220	Elementary Calculus I	3
MATH140	Calculus I	4
	Supporting area courses must be taken from a list provided by the department.  All math programs should be approved by a departmental advisor.

Geographical Science and Social Studies Education Double Major

In conjunction with the College of Education/Curriculum and Instruction, the Geographical Sciences Department offers a special 121 credit hours program for students wishing to double major in Geographical Sciences and Social Studies Education - Geography Concentration, allowing them to teach geography at the secondary level. Early examination of requirements is encouraged to reduce the number of additional hours required. In addition to the Geographical Sciences Department's required credits, the program requires 28 credit hours of course work in history and the social sciences. For a list of requirements, contact the Geography Undergraduate Advising Office. Requirements are also listed under the Curriculum and Instruction Social Studies Education - Geography Concentration double major option.

 

 

Requirements for the Minor

Minor in Geographic Information Science (GIS)

See undergraduate advising office for more information: LeFrak Hall 2108, 301-405-4073.

	Non-Geography Major Required Courses
GEOG201/211 or  GEOG202	Geography of Environmental Systems/Lab or   The World in Cultural Perspective	3or 4
GEOG306	Introduction to Geographic Methods for the Geographic Environmental Sciences	3
GEOG372	Remote Sensing	3
GEOG373	Geographic Information Systems	3
	One from:
GEOG472	Remote Sensing: Digital Processing and Analysis
GEOG473	Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis	3
GEOG475	Computer Cartography
	Total Credits	15/16
	Geography Major Required Couress
GEOG306	Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Geographic Environment Sciences	3
GEOG372	Remote Sensing	3
GEOG373	Geographic Information Systems	3
GEOG476	Programming for Geographers	3
	One from
GEOG472	Remote Sensing: Digital Processing and Analysis
GEOG473	Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis	3
GEOG475	Computer Cartography
	Total Credits	15

 

Student must achieve a "C-" or better in each course applied to the Minor in Geographic Information Systems. Students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average across all courses, including the supporting sequence, used to satisfy the minor requirements.

Fieldwork Opportunities

 

Internships

The Department of Geographical Sciences offers a one-semester internship program for undergraduates.  Students can earn a total of three credits.  Students are responsible for finding their own internships and can pursue a wide variety of opportunities in the public private and non-profit sectors.   Internships may be on-or off-campus, paid or unpaid.  www.geog.umd.edu/content/internship-program
 
Internship Requirements

• Junior or senior with a minimum of 70 credits
• 2.5 GPA overall

Internship partners

• NASA Develop
• USDA
• Mitre Corporation
• NOAA
• ESRI
• The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission
• United States Holocaust Museum and Memorial
• Prince Georges County Fire Department
• See the attached Internship List PDF for more options!

Honors Program

 

Student Societies and Professional Organizations

 

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit: www.financialaid.umd.edu

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