Geography Programs

The B.A., B.G.S., and B.S. in geography provide general liberal arts enrichment, preparation for graduate work, and training for careers in geography and related fields. Geography may be combined with another program as a double major, or courses in another area may simply be added to those in geography.

First- and Second-Year Preparation

Students should begin the major by meeting the core requirements and preparing for major courses.

Requirements for the B.S. Degree

Geology B.S. General Education Requirements

Written Communication – Core Skill and Critical Inquiry.

• Composition. Satisfied by ENGL 101, ACT English score of 27 or above or SAT English score of 600 or above, AP English Literature & Composition score of 3 or above, or equivalent transfer course. Requirement must be completed during initial term of admission at KU.
• Critical Reading and Writing. Satisfied by ENGL 102, or ENGL 105 (Honors), AP English Literature & Composition score of 4 or above, or an equivalent transfer course. Requirement must be completed within the first academic year at KU.
• Sophomore Reading and Writing II. Satisfied by ENGL 203, or ENGL 205 (Honors), ENGL 209, or ENGL 210 or ENGL 211, or ENGL 362 (ENGL 362 recommended), or AP English Literature & Composition score of 5 or above, or an equivalent.

Communications. Satisfied by COMS 130 (COMS 230, PHIL 148, PHIL 310 or exemption).

History or philosophy of science. (Choose 1 of the following or consult undergraduate committee for approval of alternatives: HIST 103, HIST 136, HIST 305, HIST 306, HIST 311, HIST 347, HIST 360, HIST 407, PHIL 365, PHIL 370, PHIL 375, PHIL 380, PHIL 620, PHIL 622, GEOG 357).

Humanities - Understanding the Human Condition. Satisfied by completing 2 principal courses in the humanities. Approved courses may be searched for availability through the Kyou portal.

Social and Behavioral Sciences - Understanding Society and Behavior. Satisfied by completing 2 principal courses in the social sciences. Approved courses may be searched for availability through the Kyou portal.

Major Hours & Major GPA

While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:

Major Hours
Satisfied by 50 hours of major courses.

Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major. 

Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.

Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.

Physical Geography Option

Geology Prerequisite or Co-requisite Knowledge

• Calculus I. Satisfied by MATH 121 (recommended) or MATH 115
• Calculus II. Satisfied by MATH 122 (recommended) or MATH 116
• Physics. Satisfied by PHSX 211 and PHSX 212 (recommended) or PHYS 114 and PHSX 115
• Biology. Satisfied by BIOL 150 and BIOL 152
• Chemistry. Satisfied by CHEM 184 and CHEM 188
• Information Technology. Satisfied by EECS 128

Geography Core Knowledge and Skills

• Principles of Physical Geography. Satisfied by GEOG 104
• Introductory Laboratory in Physical Geography. Satisfied by GEOG 105
• World Regional Geography or Principles of Human Geography. Satisfied by GEOG 100 or GEOG 102

Geography Foundation Courses

• Physical. Choose 3 of the following:

GEOG 304 Environmental Conservation

GEOG 321 Climate and Climate Change

GEOG 331 Regional Geomorphology of the United States

GEOG 338 Introduction to River Systems

GEOG 335 Introduction to Soil Geography or GEOG 535 Soil Geography

• Techniques

Methods of Analyzing Geographical Data. Satisfied by GEOG 316

Principles of Geographic Information Systems. Satisfied by GEOG 358

Remote Sensing of Environment I. Satisfied by GEOG 526

• Field Experience. Choose 1 of the following:

EVRN 460 Field Ecology

GEOG 433 Biogeography Field and Laboratory Techniques

GEOG 714 Field Experience

Senior Capstone in Geography. Satisfied by GEOG 500 or GEOG 714.

Geography Required Electives

• 6 additional hours from the physical geography course list (300 level or above).
• 6 additional hours of geography (any group, 300 level or above).
• 6 additional hours in an allied field (e.g., ATMO, BIOL, EVRN, or GEOL) approved by geography adviser.

Geographical Information and Analysis Option

Geology Prerequisite or Co-requisite Knowledge

• Calculus I. Satisfied by MATH 121 (recommended) or MATH 115
• Calculus II. Satisfied by MATH 122 (recommended) or MATH 116. 
• Biology and Physics. Satisfied by BIOL 150 and BIOL 152 or PHSX 114 and PHSX 115
• Visualizing Spatial Data. Satisfied by GEOG 514
• Information Technology. Satisfied by EECS 128

Geography Core Knowledge and Skills

• Principles of Physical Geography or Scientific Principles of Environmental Studies. Satisfied by GEOG 104 or GEOG 148
• Maps and Mapping or Computers, Maps, and Geographical Analysis. Satisfied by GEOG 111 or GEOG 210
• World Regional Geography or Principles of Human Geography. Satisfied by GEOG 100 or GEOG 102
• Physical Studies, Human Studies, and/or Regional Studies. 2 courses at the 300-level, one in Physical and one in Human and/or Regional Geography

Core Geographic Information Science Courses. 6 courses, at least 1 from each category:

• Cartography and Visualization. Satisfied by GEOG 311, GEOG 513, GEOG 517
• Geographical Information Systems. Satisfied by GEOG 358, GEOG 558, GEOG 758
• Remote Sensing. Satisfied by GEOG 526, GEOG 726
• Statistics. Satisfied by GEOG 316, GEOG 516, GEOG 716

Senior Capstone in Geography. Satisfied by GEOG 500 or GEOG 714

Geographic Information Science Electives. 2 other courses from geographic information science

Allied Field. 3 courses and 9 hours minimum in 1 field (or a minor) (area studies, atmospheric science, biology, computer science, design, environmental studies, engineering, geology, psychology, urban planning).

Geography Major Hours & Major GPA

While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:

Major Hours
Satisfied by 50 hours of major courses.

Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major. 

Major Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.

Major Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.