Geography B.S.

The general Geography B.S. degree (without concentration) is very flexible. In addition to meeting the core requirements for all geography majors, students may choose electives in geography (minimum 9 elective credits) from the subfields of regional geography, geographic methods and techniques, or systematic geography (physical geography, human-environment interaction, or geography and society).

W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Degree Specific Credits: 41-47

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.5

Catalog Year: 2020-21

General Education Requirements

Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog.

Summary

Introduction to Geography		7
Regional Geography Course		3
Geographic Methods		6
Upper Division Geography		6
Degree Electives		9
Capstone		1
Upper Division Writing		3
Science Course		3-4
Biology
Chemistry
College Chemistry
College Physics
Physics with Calculus
Mathematics Requirement		3-7
Math Fundamentals
Advanced Math
Total Hours		41-47

Introduction to Geography

Code	Title	Hours
Complete all of the following courses:		7
GPHY 111N	Intro to Physical Geography
GPHY 112N	Intro to Phys Geography Lab
GPHY 121S	Human Geography
Total Hours		7

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Regional Geography Course

Code	Title	Hours
Complete one of the following courses:		3
GPHY 141S	Geography of World Regions
GPHY 144	Glacier National Park in Winter
GPHY 241	Montana
GPHY 245	The Middle East
GPHY 342	North America
GPHY 344	Crown of the Continent
GPHY 347	Regional Geography (Multiple Regions)
GPHY 348	Field Studies in Geography
GPHY 444	High Asia
Total Hours		3

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Geographic Methods

Code	Title	Hours
Complete all of the following courses:		6
GPHY 284	Intro to GIS and Cartography
GPHY 385	Field Techniques
Total Hours		6

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Upper Division Geography

Rule: Complete two upper division Geography courses – one must be a Physical Geography Course (see below) or other course approved by Advisor. GPHY 385 and upper-division Regional courses are excluded. 6 total credits required.

Code	Title	Hours
Complete one of the following courses:		3
ERTH 303N	Weather and Climate
GPHY 311N	Biogeography
GPHY 314	Global Mountain Environments
GPHY 317	Geomorphology
Complete one additional 3-credit upper-division Geography Course (GPHY 385 and regional courses excluded)		3
Total Hours		6

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Degree Electives

Code	Title	Hours
Complete 9 GPHY credits for a minimum of 32 GPHY credits for the degree.		9
Total Hours		9

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Capstone

Note: Seniors must enroll in GPHY 400 in fall, attend GPHY 500 in fall, and complete course requirements in spring.

Code	Title	Hours
Seniors must complete the following course:
GPHY 400	Geography Capstone	1
Total Hours		1

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Upper-Division Writing

Note:

These courses will also count toward the upper-division requirement.
Other science-based writing courses (e.g. GEO 320, GEO 499, BIOO 470, BIOO 475) may be approved by the advisor.

Code	Title	Hours
Complete one of the following courses:		3
GPHY 335	Water Policy
GPHY 433	Community Resilience
GPHY 499	Senior Thesis
Total Hours		3

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Science Course

Rule: Complete one of the following science courses. 3-4 total credits required. Science course must be approved by an advisor as appropriate to individual student's goals. Different science courses may be approved by the advisor.

Code	Title	Hours
Complete one of the following courses:
BIOE 172N	Introductory Ecology
BIOO 105N	Introduction to Botany
CHMY 121N	Introduction to General Chemistry
CHMY 123	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHMY 141N	College Chemistry I
CHMY 143N	College Chemistry II
PHSX 205N	College Physics I
PHSX 207N	College Physics II
PHSX 215N	Fund of Physics w/Calc I
PHSX 217N	Fund of Physics w/Calc II
Total Hours		3-4

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Mathematics Requirement

Rule: Must complete 1 of the following subcategories. 3-7 total credits required.

Note:

Students may take M 115 and STAT 216, OR just one of M 162, M 171, or STAT 451.
M 171 is recommended.

Math Fundamentals

Code	Title	Hours
Complete all of the following courses:		7
M 115	Probability and Linear Mathematics
STAT 216	Introduction to Statistics
Total Hours		7

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Advanced Math

Code	Title	Hours
Complete one of the following courses:		3-4
M 162	Applied Calculus
M 171	Calculus I (recommended)
STAT 451	Statistical Methods I
Total Hours		3-4

Minimum Required Grade: C-