B.S. in Geography - Environmental Track

Environmental Geography is the study of the Earth’s physical systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere) and the interaction of humans and the environment. Students study the geography of natural regions and resources as well as human impact and demand. In this track, you will learn how Earth systems operate, how they impact human society, and our responses to these impacts in terms of adaptation, planning, and conservation The track includes studies related to climate adaptation and resilience, responses to hazards, natural disasters, and climate change in terms of the natural and human worlds. Other areas include biogeography, urban forestry, social justice in urban environments, and sustainability.

Environmental Geography, Geospatial Technologies, and Environmental Planning

This track has strong links with the Department’s geospatial technologies and environmental planning programs. Students build a unique curriculum and resume in this program, filled with applied coursework, technology-based courses, and a mix of urban and environmental planning courses. You get hands-on experience studying population trends and their impact on the environment. This increasingly relates to natural resource needs and development. The Department emphasizes the geographies of food supplies and conservation. Field work integrates our nationally recognized geospatial technology work. This includes field data collection techniques, drones and image analysis, GIS-based spatial analysis and modeling, and web-based visualization and publication. Our accredited Urban and Environmental Planning program provides courses related to land use and environmental planning, sustainable development, and community engagement. This blend of geography, technology, and planning prepared our students for successful careers related to Environmental Geography and Science.

Program Requirements

General Education

All students in the B.S. in Geography - General Track program will have to complete the University General Education requirements. 

Required Major Courses (24 semester hours):

  • GEO102 Physical Geography
  • GEO225 Maps and Remote Sensing
  • GEO230 Envir Conserv & Sustainability
  • GEO 310 Population Geography
  • GEO 324 Introduction to GIS
  • GEO 326 Geographic Analysis
  • GEO 400 Senior Seminar

Additional required course (select one of the following):

  • GEO101 World Geography 2
  • GEO103 Human Geography 2
  • GEO104 Introduction to Geospatial Technology and Analytics 2 

Track Requirements (9 semester hours):

  • GEO205 Geography of Agric., Food and Sustainability
  • GEO332 Environmental Crises
  • GEO334 Sustainable Living

Capstone Course (3 semester hours):

  • GEO404 Senior Project

Elective Courses (9 semester hours) and Cognative Courses (15 semester hours): 

These courses are typically selected under advisement. Sample course options include:

  • GEO214 Intro to Planning
  • GEO/PLN316 Planning for Resilient Communities and Natural Disasters
  • GEO333 Sustainable Cities
    GEO/PLN336 Environmental Planning
  • GEO338 Environmental Apps of GIS
  • GEO341 Landscape Ecology
    GEO415 Internship (3-9 credit hours)
  • GEO424 GIS Applications
  • GEO427 Geodatabase Systems
  • PLN320 Land Use Planning
  • BIO270 Ecology
  • ECO385 Environmental and Resource Economics
  • ESS336 Environmental Geology
  • ENV447 Environmental Regulations
  • HIS356 U.S. Environmental History
  • PHI480 Environmental Ethics
  • PSC354 Environmental Politics and Policy

Advising Sheet

Be sure to check with your advisor before registering for classes. For more information about the program requirements, see your Degree Progress Report. 

For more information regarding our undergraduate program, please contact the department chairperson Dr. Gary Coutu at GCoutu@wcupa.edu.