Geography provides a holistic view of the earth system, its distinct and varied regions, as well as the types of and interaction between human activities and the physical world. Geography is the two-way bridge between the physical and social sciences as it explores the interrelationships between the earth’s physical and biological systems and how these environmental systems provide a natural resource base for human societies. Geography also provides the framework for the integration of new and emerging technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing with studies in a broad range of academic disciplines.
Geographers are interested in patterns and processes of physical and social change, including climate change, geographic information science and technologies, human settlement patterns, natural resources distribution and management, environmental studies, and in the inherent “sense of place” among peoples throughout the world. Geographic methodologies include observation, measurement, description and analysis of places including likenesses, differences, interdependence and importance.
Program information for Geography and Environmental Studies (PDF)
B.S. in Geography and Environmental Resources
The Geography B.S. degree in Environmental Resources integrates and synthesizes courses in geography, climate change, physical and biological sciences, and geographic information sciences and technology. This degree provides students with an interdisciplinary background in the geospatial science and earth system processes and prepares students for science-based careers in environmental research, management and consulting as well as graduate studies in related fields of geography and environmental science. Senior practicum courses serve as integrating capstone experiences enabling students to apply what they have learned in real-world settings. Courses in statistics, GIS, GPS and remote sensing are integrated with the geography core curriculum and courses in natural sciences.
To view details of the program, visit the program website.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students are admitted to the program after declaring a Geography and Environmental Resources major to an academic advisor in the Geography program. Students will be assigned an advisor in the Natural Science department. Students should consult with their advisor for course selection and sequencing.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2012-2013 catalog)
Candidates must complete the General Education Requirements (GERs) as well as the specific program requirements listed below for a minimum of 120 credit hours. Courses in a degree program may be counted only once. Courses used to fulfill the major requirements cannot be used to fulfill the GERs. Specific requirements for GERs are listed below. The degree must include 48 credits of upper-division 300 or above courses. To satisfy the residency requirement, 30 credits must be completed at UA, including 24 upper division credits. All major courses require a C or better.
| Minimum Credit Hours | 120 | ||
| General Education Requirements | 36 | ||
| MATH | S200 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Select both | |||
| BIOL | S105 | Fundamentals of Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL | S106 | Fundamentals of Biology II | 4 |
| or both | |||
| CHEM | S105 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM | S106 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| or both | |||
| PHYS | S211 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS | S212 | General Physics II | 4 |
| Major Requirements* | 56 | ||
| ENVS | S492 | Environmental Science Seminar | 1 |
| GEOG | S101 | Introductory Geography | 3 |
| ENVS | S102 | Earth and Environment |
4 |
| GEOG | S312 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| GEOG | S338 | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
| GEOG | S490 | Geography Seminar | 2 |
| ___ | S___ | Advisor-approved courses in environmental management | 3 |
| Select from the following (21 credits): | |||
| Earth Systems | |||
| BIOL | S271 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL | S373 | Conservation Biology | 4 |
| BIOL | S480 | Aquatic Pollution | 3 |
| CHEM | S350 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
| ENVS | S420 | Atmospheric Science | 3 |
| GEOG | S407 | Snow Hydrology | 4 |
| GEOG | S414 | Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| GEOG | S415 | Biogeography and Landscape Ecology | 3 |
| GEOL | S271 | Earth Materials | 4 |
| GEOL | S300 | Geology of Alaska | 3 |
| GEOL | S301 | Geomorphology | 4 |
| GEOL | S307 | Hydrology | 4 |
| GEOL | S310 | Glaciation and Climate Change | 3 |
| Select two from the following (6 credits): | |||
| Human Environment | |||
| ANTH | S342 | Arctic Ethnology | 3 |
| ANTH | S408 | Ethnobiology | 3 |
| ECON | S435 | Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| ENGL | S303 | Literature and the Environment | 3 |
| PHIL | S371 | Perspectives on the Natural World | 3 |
| SOC | S404 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| Select from the following (10 credits): | |||
| Geographic Analysis | |||
| GEOG | S111 | Introduction to Differential GPS | 1 |
| GEOG | S309 | Mobil GIS Technology and Applications | 2 |
| GEOG | S406 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEOG | S409 | GIS Jam: Projects in GIS and Remote Sensing | 1-3 |
| GEOG | S410 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| MATH | S460 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
| STAT | S273 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| STAT | S401 | Regression and Analysis of Variance | 4 |
| Electives** | 28 | ||
|
**Classes should be selected in consultation with an advisor and must include a minimum of 12 credits of upper division courses. |
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INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The UAS Career Services Office provides a current listing of internship opportunities available to UAS students. These internships are funded by Alaskan, federal, national and international organizations and businesses. Changes occur frequently. If you have an interest in internships please contact Career Services for assistance. If admitted to a degree program you can also speak with a faculty member if you are interested in an internship for academic credit.
CONTACT INFORMATION
University of Alaska Southeast
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Ph: 907-796-6100
Ph: 877-465-4827 ext. 6350 (toll free)
Department website: uas.alaska.edu/artssciences/naturalsciences/geography
Email: admissions@uas.alaska.edu