Undergraduate Catalog

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Geography (GEOG) Undergraduate Programs

359 STEWART HALL/(320) 308-3160
www.stcloudstate.edu/geog

A program of the College of Social Sciences.

Chairperson: David L. Wall
Faculty: Baker, Blinnikov, Hochmair, John, Kambach, Richason, Torguson, Wall, Wixon, Wong, Yu

The Geography program provides the student with an awareness that the earth's phenomena are spatially associated and often interdependent. Students develop a solid understanding of the earth's physical phenomena (landforms, weather and climate) as well as how humans organize themselves on the earth's surface (cultural geography, political geography, urban geography, and economic geography). This provides students with a strong basis in understanding human-environment linkages (resource use, environmental impacts). Important elements of geographic training necessary for professional employment include regional, topical, physical and cultural studies as well as applied skills in mapping, aerial photo and satellite image interpretation, field observations and geographic information science (GIS). Land use planning with an urban or regional framework, professional degree training, and travel/tourism represent important thrusts in this program. The training of future teachers of geography in the K-12 education system is also supported.

Bachelor of Arts

Major (42)
Required Core: GEOG 216, 270, 271, 273, 274, 390, 432; STAT 219 or 229 (24).
Electives (18 credits) must be upper division courses --internships are in addition to the 42 credits.
A minimum of 3 credits and a maximum of 6 credits (of the 18 upper division) taken from regional courses (368, 369, 373, 374, 376, 378, 384); 410 may be substituted with approval of adviser. Completion of GEOG 432 with a grade of C- or better fulfills the university's upper division writing requirement.

This major requires either one year in a single foreign language OR a minor.

Minor (24)
GEOG 216, 270, 271, 273, 274 (15)
9 credits of electives 300/400 courses.

Travel and Tourism Major (45)
Core (21): GEOG 290, 360, 361, 362, 395, 396, 460
Required (9): GEOG 279, 434; BLAW 235
Electives (15): Select 15 credits from the following courses: GEOG 216, 270, 271, 273, 274, 470, 496, 497
Completion of GEOG 434 fulfills the university's upper division writing requirement.

Travel and Tourism Minor (24)
GEOG 279, 290, 360, 361, 362, 395, 396, 460
Up to 9 credits may be double counted for Geography majors

Geographic Information Science Minor (24)
GEOG 216, 316, 350, 406, 407, 416, 450, 462. Up to 9 credits may be double counted for geography majors.

Bachelor of Science-Non-teaching

Land Surveying/Mapping Sciences Major (60) - ABET Accredited
GEOG 216, 316, 335, 336, 350, 394, 406, 416, 433, 435, 436, 438, 439, 444, 455, 462; MATH 221, 222, STAT 229. Must have an Associate degree, certificate or diploma from a Community or Technical College that has an articulated agreement with SCSU. (Please contact SCSU Admissions Office for list of articulated colleges.) Up to 12 credits can be doubled counted toward the GIS minor. Completion of GEOG 439 fulfills the university's upper division writing requirement.

Students in this degree program must complete 9 credits in Area B of General Education from among the following courses: Astronomy: 106*, 107, 120; Biological Sciences: 101, 102*, 103*, 104, 105, 106, 107*; Chemistry: 101, 105, 140*, 141*, 207*, 210*; Physics: 101, 103*, 208, 231*, 234*.
* indicates laboratory course

Undergraduate Certificate in Land Surveying (24)
Must have a Bachelor's degree.
Required (9): GEOG 335, 336, 439
A total of 15 credits from the following: GEOG 433, 435, 436, 438, 444, 455.

Bachelor of Science-Teaching

The Social Studies Education major prepares students for Minnesota licensure as middle/secondary (5-12) social studies teachers. Students selecting this major must complete the General Education program, the Social Studies Licensing Core, one of the emphases in the B.S. Social Studies major designated for licensure, and the Professional Education component.

The following courses make up the University's approved Social Studies Licensing Core:
ANTH: 250; ECON 201; GEOG 253, 270; HIST 140** or 141**, 106* (global only), 385; ETHS 310; POL 195, 251; PSY 240; SOC 160; SST 253, 453. Many of these social studies licensure core courses may be used in the general education program. (*Students emphasizing history will use HIST 210, 211 and electives in African, Asian, and/or Middle Eastern history instead of HIST 106 (global only). **They also include both HIST 140 and 141 in their emphasis.)

Individuals who plan to seek this licensure should consult the Director of Social Studies Education in the College of Social Sciences, SH 361, 320-308-5226, immediately upon enrolling at SCSU or changing to this field to determine the current plan for the social studies licensure competencies to be developed and demonstrated. Fifteen credits of coursework at SCSU and a 2.50 GPA at SCSU are required for admission to the Bachelor of Science Social Studies Education (Teaching) major leading to middle/secondary social studies licensure.

Social Studies Major-Geography Emphasis (24)
Geography Core
GEOG 270, 271, 273, 274
Required regional courses: 376 and one non-western: 368, 369, or 373; 410 may be substituted with approval of adviser.
Electives: 6 credits - one must be regional - one must be topical
Note: Students in this emphasis are not required to take GEOG 253 in their Social Studies Licensing Core.

Bachelor of Elective Studies — Non-teaching

Land Surveying/Mapping Science (45)
Required (9): GEOG 335, 336, 439
Completion of GEOG 439 fulfills the university's upper division writing requirement.
Electives (27): Select 27 credits from among the following: 316, 317, 350, 394, 416, 406, 433, 436, 438, 444, 455, 462
Supporting Courses (9): Minimum of 6 credits of 200 level or higher calculus and a minimum of 3 credits of 200 level or higher statistics.

Eligibility to take the Fundamentals of Land Surveying (FS) exam is contingent upon completing elective courses approved by a Land Surveying advisor.

Bachelor of Elective Studies

Major (36)
Completion of any 36 Cr. in geography with approval of major adviser. Completion of GEOG 432 with a grade of C- or better fultills the university's upper division writing requirement.

Minor (24)
Completion of any 24 Cr. in geography with approval of adviser.