Geography with a concentration in Earth Systems, BS

A Bachelor of Science with a major in geography and a concentration in earth systems focuses on the Earth’s natural systems and how they affect people and society. With this concentration, students will develop skills to study earth processes.

Hours required and general/college requirements

A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree as specified in the University Core Curriculum in the Academic policies section of this catalog and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences requirements (excluding foreign language).

Major requirements, 36 hours

A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses to graduate with a major in this department.

Required courses, 12 hours

Earth systems concentration, 24 hours

Earth science

Choose five courses, at least one in each area. (Courses can only count for one area.)

Geomorphology

Climatology

Hydrology

Biogeography

Techniques

Choose two courses:

Human geography

Choose one course.

Other course requirements

Mathematics

MATH 1680 - Elementary Probability and Statistics (or equivalent)

Science

GEOG 1710 - Earth Science

One additional science course

Minor

Optional.

Electives

Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements . Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information, see an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Four-year degree plan (example)

The following four-year plan is one example of a variety of ways in which you can complete your chosen degree in four years, and will serve as a guide for you to design your pathway to degree completion. Variations will depend on whether you need to take prerequisites or have college credit from exams or dual enrollment.

Year 1

Semester 1		Semester 2
GEOG 1710 - Earth Science	3 hours	GEOG 2110 - Foundations of Geographic Research	3 hours
GEOG 2170 - Culture, Environment and Society	3 hours	GEOG 2180 - Geosystems, Environment and Society	3 hours
MATH 1680 - Elementary Probability and Statistics	3 hours	PSCI 2306 - US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions	3 hours
PSCI 2305 - US Political Behavior and Policy	3 hours	Communication core	3 hours
Communication core	3 hours	Creative Arts core	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours

Year 2

Semester 1		Semester 2
GEOG 1200 - Global Societies	3 hours	HIST 2620 - United States History Since 1865	3 hours
HIST 2610 - United States History to 1865	3 hours	Component Area Option core	3 hours
Component Area Option A core	3 hours	Earth Science elective-advanced	3 hours
Language, Philosophy and Culture core	3 hours	Techniques elective-advanced	3 hours
Life and Physical Sciences core	3 hours	Elective	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours

Year 3

Semester 1		Semester 2
Additional Science option	3 hours	Earth Science elective-advanced	3 hours
Earth Science elective-advanced	3 hours	Techniques elective-advanced	3 hours
Human Geography elective-advanced	3 hours	Elective	3 hours
Elective	3 hours	Elective	3 hours
Elective	3 hours	Elective-advanced	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours

Year 4

Semester 1		Semester 2
Earth Science elective-advanced	3 hours	GEOG 4800 - Geography Capstone	3 hours
Elective	3 hours	Earth Science elective-advanced	3 hours
Elective-advanced	3 hours	Elective	3 hours
Elective-advanced	3 hours	Elective	3 hours
Elective-advanced	3 hours	Elective-advanced	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours