Department of Geography

Chair and Associate Professor: S. O’Connell (PhD) 450-3164
Associate Professor: M. Connolly (PhD), E. Hostetter (PhD), B. Pearson (PhD)
Assistant Professor: W. Flatley (PhD), Y. He (PhD), L. Zhang (PhD)

[1] Purposes

Programs of study in geography are designed to meet the following needs:

  • Acquaint students with the contribution of geography to the understanding of the world through the study of its varied physical and human environments and the spatial relationships that exist between them.
  • Give students a fundamental background in human-natural environment relationships in preparation for geography-related positions in environmental planning, natural resources management, urban and regional planning and development, water resources, cartography, education, and geographic information systems.
  • Prepare students for advanced work in geography at the graduate level.

[2] Honors in Geography

Students who major in Geography and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.

[3] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Science

The degree of Bachelor of Science, with a major in geography, requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; (3) the geography courses listed below; and (4) a minor as worked out with the student’s advisor.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Geography enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

NOTE: Both the major in geography and major in geography with a geospatial concentration have required courses that will fulfill the UCA upper-division UCA Core requirements for Critical Inquiry, Diversity, Communication, and a Capstone. The Responsible Living upper-division Core requirement may be covered by taking any of the following electives: GEOG 3301, 3325, 3333, 4304, or 4313; or it may be taken outside of the department. The Communication requirement may be fulfilled by taking courses outside of the department.

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

[3.1] Major in Geography (39 hours)

Geography Core (24 hours)

GEOG 1400 Earth Systems Science [ACTS: PHSC1104]
GEOG 1320 Human Geography [ACTS: GEOG1113]
GEOG 2330 Quantitative Methods in Geography
GEOG 2331 Research Methods in Geography
GEOG 2475 Cartography
GEOG 3403 Geographic Information Systems [UD UCA Core: I]
GEOG 4391 Research Seminar [UD UCA Core: Z]

Choose one of the regional classes (3 hours):

GEOG 3300 World Regional Geography [UD UCA Core: D, C]
GEOG 3315 Geography of Latin America [UD UCA Core: D, C]
GEOG 3335 Geography of Europe and Russia [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 3345 Geography of China and East Asia [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 3380 Geography of Arkansas [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 4390 Historical Geography of the US [UD UCA Core: D]

Plus 12 hours of upper-level geography electives.

[3.1.1] Major in Geography: Geospatial Technology Concentration (39 hours)

Required Courses (30 hours)

GEOG 1400 Earth Systems Science [ACTS: PHSC1104]
GEOG 1320 Human Geography [ACTS: GEOG1113]
GEOG 2330 Quantitative Methods in Geography
GEOG 2331 Research Methods in Geography
GEOG 2475 Cartography
GEOG 3306 Introduction to Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
GEOG 3403 Geographic Information Systems [UD UCA Core: I]
GEOG 3404 Geographic Information Analysis
GEOG 4391 Research Seminar [UD UCA Core: Z]

Choose one of the regional classes (3 hours)

GEOG 3300 World Regional Geography [UD UCA Core: D, C]
GEOG 3315 Geography of Latin America [UD UCA Core: D, C]
GEOG 3335 Geography of Europe and Russia [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 3345 Geography of China and East Asia [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 3380 Geography of Arkansas [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 4390 Historical Geography of the US [UD UCA Core: D]

Choose one of the upper-level geography GIS electives from the following choices (3 hours)

GEOG 4307 Locational Analysis and Decision Making with GIS
GEOG 4309 GIS in Practice: Environmental Application
GEOG 3319 Geographic Field Techniques

Plus 3 hours of upper-level geography electives.

[3.1.2] Minor in Geography (23 hours)

Required courses (11 hours)

GEOG 1400 Earth Systems Science [ACTS: PHSC1104]
GEOG 1320 Human Geography [ACTS: GEOG1113]
GEOG 2475 Cartography

Choose one of the regional classes (3 hours)

GEOG 3300 World Regional Geography [UD UCA Core: D, C]
GEOG 3315 Geography of Latin America [UD UCA Core: D, C]
GEOG 3335 Geography of Europe and Russia [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 3345 Geography of China and East Asia [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 3380 Geography of Arkansas [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 4390 Historical Geography of the US [UD UCA Core: D]

Plus 9 hours of upper-division geography electives

[3.1.3] Minor in Geographic Information Science (24 hours)

Required Courses (21 hours)

GEOG 1400 Earth Systems Science [ACTS: PHSC1104]
GEOG 1320 Human Geography [ACTS: GEOG1113]
GEOG 2330 Quantitative Methods in Geography
GEOG 2475 Cartography
GEOG 3306 Introduction to Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
GEOG 3403 Geographic Information Systems [UD UCA Core: I]

Choose one of the upper-level geography GIS electives from the following choices (3 hours)

GEOG 3404 Geographic Information Analysis
GEOG 3319 Geographic Field Technicians
GEOG 4307 Locational Analysis and Decision Making with GIS
GEOG 4309 GIS in Practice: Environmental Applications

NOTE: A Geospatial Concentration geography major may not minor in geographic information science.

[4] Courses in Geography (GEOG)

Follow this link for GEOG course descriptions: course link.