Academic Programs
> Undergraduate > Major Requirements
Chair: Dr. Alan D. MacPherson
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Michael Woldenberg
The Geographer's Perspective and Job Opportunities in Geography
Geography is primarily concerned with the locations and arrangements in space of human and natural phenomena, and with the interrelationships between people and their spatial environments. Geographers, therefore, are interested in such topics as the location of industry and business, urban growth and development, regional planning and policy study, physical and ecological environments, interactions of people and places over space and time, and the diffusion of information, commodities, and ideas.
Over the years, geography has developed four major traditions or approaches. One is a spatial tradition, with a focus on the importance of distance, direction, position, pattern, and movement as concepts worthy of study themselves, whatever the subject matter. A second approach to geography is that of area studies, which takes as its objective the characterization and differentiation of places through a thorough accounting of all of the places' aspects and attributes. A third and long-standing approach to geography is through a human-land tradition, which, as the name implies, entails a focus upon the interrelationships and interactions between people and their environment. The final tradition is the earth-science tradition, which involves a focus upon the study of the earth and the atmosphere.
Because of these wide interests, geographers must acquire training in quantitative methods, field techniques, computer technology, data handling and analysis, cartographic display and production, and written and verbal communication skills. In addition, interdisciplinary work is often desirable in such areas as economics, computer science, psychology, geology, mathematics, marketing, statistics, information systems and environmental sciences.
Postbaccalaureate job opportunities are many and diverse. For example, students have found employment in urban and regional planning offices, with various agencies of the federal government, with location consulting firms, with manufacturing and service companies, with companies devoted to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping, and with various environmental agencies. Specific work activities over the past few years have included the preparation of computer-generated maps, regional and urban planning, real estate property development, market planning and research, international trade management, and environmental impact assessment.
Requirements for Entering the Geography Department
To become a major a student should have completed TWO geography courses with a QPA of 2.0. Applicants must also have an overall (UB) QPA of 2.0. Applications are available in the Geography main office at 105 Wilkeson Quad. Applicants with an overall (UB) QPA of less than 2.0 will not be considered. Students will be notified by letter of the department's decision. Soon after, they should make an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Michael Woldenberg, 123 Wilkeson Quad, to discuss academic plans and to select a faculty advisor in the area of specialization that interests them.
Selecting an Area of Specialization
Faculty in the Department of Geography have carefully developed an undergraduate program that consists of four areas of specialization, plus a รข"general" major in Geography. These clusters have been developed to reflect professional employment requirements, faculty expertise, and expressed student interests. Completion of any one of the clusters will give the student a strong preparation either for graduate work in selected areas or for employment in qualified job markets. Successful completion of the courses in a particular cluster will be recognized with a Departmental Certificate upon graduation.
The following four clusters are offered within the department:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Cartography
- Urban and Regional Analysis
- Earth Systems Science
- International Business and World Trade
Each of these clusters has a specific set of requirements that must be completed before graduation. Handouts listing the specific requirements for each cluster are available in the main office, 105 Wilkeson Quad.
Honors Course
For those interested in the Honors course (GEO 490), please note that it is open only to qualified Geography majors. To be eligible to enroll in Geography 490 students must have completed a minimum of six courses in Geography, have a QPA of 3.0 over all university courses completed and a QPA of 3.5 for all Geography courses completed. Moreover, students enrolled in GEO 490 must complete an honors project under the supervision of a Geography faculty member, and each project is to be read and evaluated by a second faculty member in the department who has expertise in the area of your project.
Students who wish to enroll in this course must make arrangements with the appropriate faculty member by the end of the semester preceding the semester (or summer session) when the student expects to register for the course. Students who receive a grade of B or higher will be awarded a special honors certificate when they graduate.
Department Honors
The Department offers recognition to graduating students who meet the following requirements:
- With Distinction: 3.25 QPA in all Geography courses
- With High Distinction: 3.50 QPA in all Geography courses
- With Highest Distinction: 3.75 QPA in all Geography courses
Required Courses for Graduation
____ GEO 101 - Earth Systems Science I ____ GEO 102 - Human Geography OR____ GEO 103* Geography of Economic Systems ____ GEO 120 - Maps and Mapping ____ GEO 410 - Univariate Statistics (or approved substitute**)
4-5 Additional Geography electives to achieve a minimum of 39 Geography Dept credit hours
One Computer Science Course:
____ CSE 101 - Computers: A General Introduction ____ CSE 113 - Intro to Computer Science I ____ MFC 101 - Intro Computers & Info Systems ____ MGQ 201 - Intro to Computer & Stats ____ MFC 118 - Micro Computer Applications I
One Int'l Business and World Trade Course:
____ GEO 330 - Dynamics of International Business ____ GEO 333 - Bases of World Commerce ____ GEO 334 - Int'l Environments/Commercial Problems ____ GEO 419 - Transportation and Society
One Urban/Regional Geography course:
____ GEO 366 - Urban Geography ____ GEO 367 - Urban-Social Geography ____ GEO 412 - Geography of Health ____ Geo 418 - Population Geography ____ GEO 419 - Transportation and Society ____ GEO 460 - Geography of Development
One GIS/Cartography Geography course:
____ GEO 381 Cartography ____ GEO 389 Business Geographics ____ GEO 420 Transportation/Spatial Info ____ GEO 450-453 Special Topics ____ GEO 462 Network & Location Analysis ____ GEO 464 Mobility & Flows ____ GEO 479 GIS & Environmental Modeling ____ GEO 481 Geographic Information Systems ____ GEO 483 Remote Sensing ____ GEO 485 Cartography and Geo. Visualization ____ GEO 488 GIS Design ____ GEO 489 GIS Algorithm and Data Structures
One Earth Systems Science Course:
____ GEO 345 Water Resources ____ GEO 347 Climatic Geomorphology ____ GEO 348 Landform Development ____ GEO 350 Landform Field and Lab Techniques ____ GEO 352 Introduction to Soils ____ GEO 356 Forest Ecology ____ GEO 435 Conservation Biogeography ____ GEO 444 Advanced Earth Systems Science ____ GEO 445 Restoration Ecology ____ GEO 449 Fluvial Geomorphology ____ GEO 454 Soils Laboratory Methods ____ GEO 470 Landscape Environment Management ____ GEO 475 Landscape Modeling ____ GEO 479 GIS & Environmental Modeling ____ GEO 483 Remote Sensing
Important: Completion of courses on more than one list fulfills only one requirement.
* Students should note that GEO 103 is mandatory for the 5-yr. BA/MA program
** Approved subs for GEO 410: CEP 207, PSC 408, PSY 207, SOC 294, STA 119, ECO 480, EAS 308. The Department of Geography requires that all students, regardless of the cluster specialization, complete a minimum of 39 hours in Geography. Students who take a course outside Geography that is equivalent to GEO410 must complete an additional Geography course to fulfill the 39 hour minimum requirement.
Other Important Information:
All Geography majors must complete a minimum of 39 hours in Geography to be eligible to graduate.
No more than two Independent Study courses (GEO499) may be counted toward your required 39 hours, although additional Independent Studies may be taken if desired.
Transfer students must complete at least four Geography courses at the University of Buffalo and they must demonstrate that they have successfully completed the course equivalents of GEO101 and either Geo 102 or GEO103.
A minimum QPA of 2.0 in all Geography courses and an overall QPA of 2.0 is required at the time of graduation.
All majors must take Geography courses for a letter grade. Those majors who have previously taken geography courses under the S/U option are required to retrieve their letter grades before graduation. GEO 440 is always taken with Pass/Fail (P/F) grading. In addition, all non-Geography courses that are required must also be taken for a letter grade.
Designing a Major in Geography
Advisement
All incoming majors are given an opportunity to select faculty advisors. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain contact with their advisor. This relationship is important because it helps students to be appraised of up-to-date departmental policy and information, to receive professional advice on career prospects and program planning, and to secure letters of recommendation for future job placement.
Program Structure and Flexibility
The basic course requirements for a Geography major have been designed to allow maximum flexibility in program design and course selection. For those who prefer a broadly based program, the Department offers a relatively wide range of faculty specialties and course offerings.
Many students have expressed a desire to participate in a more structured Geography program. Accordingly, we have developed four specialized clusters. These clusters represent programs within the main areas of expertise in the Department. Completion of any one of the four clusters will provide students with strong backgrounds. Successful completion of the course requirements in a cluster will be recognized with a Departmental Certificate.
Even if students do not choose to follow one of the special clusters, they may still find it helpful when planning their own programs to examine the clusters for recommended course sequence and electives.
Formal Degree Programs Involving Geography
Joint Geography/MBA Program
Joint Major in Geography-Economics
5-Yr. BA/MA combined degree
These programs are described in detail in special handouts available in the Geography office. Note that students may design their own joint major, joint degree, or special major in accordance with University regulations. For further information, please consult a current Undergraduate catalog, DUE advisor, and Directors of Undergraduate Studies in the relevant departments.
Increasing Your Involvement in the Life of the Department
The Undergraduate Geography Student Association
The UGSA is organized and run by and for the undergraduate majors in Geography. The Association can provide opportunities to meet with faculty, other students, and guest lecturers. There are opportunities to take part in field trips and other organized professional functions, and to discuss future employment prospects and graduate school placement options.
The UGSA elects a student representative to serve on various committees described below. Contact your representative via the mailboxes in the Department office.
Join the Undergraduate Geography Association - it could be as active and exciting as you are!
Departmental Committees
The Department of Geography by-laws provide for an undergraduate student representative to attend, vote and serve on the Faculty-Student Committee and on the Grievance Committee. The Faculty-Student Committee is the policymaking unit for the Department in all curriculum and course matters. This represents a great opportunity for students to communicate their ideas and to participate in the governance of the department.
Want a Change from Lecture courses? Try Geography 496, 497, or 499
Geography 496 (Internship), 497 (Honors) and 499 (Independent Study) offer students a different kind of educational experience than does the usual undergraduate lecture course. Students who wish to work on a research project or to become involved in an internship should examine the descriptions in the Undergraduate Catalog. The best procedure to follow in preparing for these options is to formulate your ideas and questions, and to discuss such with your advisor.