Geography (GEOG, GIS)

George White, Head
Department of Geography
Scobey Hall 232
605-688-4511
e-mail: george.white@sdstate.edu

Faculty

Professor White, Head; Professors, J. Gritzner, Hansen, Napton; Associate Professor Watrel; Assistant Professor Millett; Adjunct Faculty Bliss, Fouberg, Giri, Loveland; Professors Emeritus Hogan and Sandness. Distinguished Professor Emeritus C. Gritzner.

Programs

The Department of Geography provides coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and also in Geographic Information Sciences. Minors in Geography and Geographic Information Sciences are also offered by the Department. A Certificate in Geographic Information Sciences is available to those who hold a bachelor’s degree in areas other than geography. A Ph.D. in Geospatial Science and Engineering is now available. Geography faculty participate in that doctoral program as teachers and advisors.

Geography (GEOG) is the scientific study of the distribution of both physical and human features of the Earth’s surface. Geographers seek to describe, analyze and synthesize the natural and cultural phenomena that distinguish places around the world. Geographical study focuses on three principal questions: what is there? why is it there? and how does it relate to other phenomena? The processes of change and examinations of how humans modify the Earth are a continual emphasis.

The Geography Major requires 35 credit hours which includes GEOG 131, 132, 200, 210, 382, and 487 with 18 credits of upper division credit. In addition to the standard degree programs, there is an Environmental Planning and Management emphasis available. The Environmental Planning and Management emphasis is designed to prepare students for careers in governmental, industrial, managerial, recreational areas, and commercial corporations.

Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) is the science of geographic and spatial analysis. It is concerned with the basic elements of spatial information including data acquisition, description, manipulation, analysis, modeling, interpretation, and presentation. The knowledge gained from GIS is used to help make decisions about spatial phenomena that are distributed on the earth’s surface. GIS is a highly technical field. The GIS graduate will be able to apply the tools of GIS to analyze spatial data in the natural and social sciences. This program gives students an opportunity to become professionals in a career area that has been growing and will continue to expand in opportunities.

Graduates will find themselves on the cutting edge of an important sub-discipline and will be able to find highly rewarding and remunerative jobs. The Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) Major includes the necessary courses to prepare the graduate to use the tools of GIS in business or governmental agencies. The Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Sciences major requires 41 credit hours and includes GEOG 131, 132, 200, 210, 382, 383, 483, 484, 487, 488 and 489. MATH 120 and STAT 281 are also required and included in the 41 credit hours.

Click here for information about the Geographic Information Sciences Center of Excellence.