Geography (GEOG) Major

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

Requirements for Geography Major - Bachelor of Science in Arts and Sciences

Freshman Year:

Fall

SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts Credits: 3*
Geography Electives Credits: 3

GEOG 131 - Physical Geography I * Credits: 4
GEOG 131L - Physical Geography I Lab * Credits: 0

Fall or Spring

SGR Goal 5: Mathematics Credits: 3*

ENGL 101 - Composition I * Credits: 3
GEOG 200 - Introduction to Human Geography * ** (G) Credits: 3
SPCM 101* - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) Credits: 3

Spring

SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts Credits: 3*
Geography Electives Credits: 3

GEOG 132 - Physical Geography II * Credits: 4
GEOG 132L - Physical Geography II Lab * Credits: 0

Sophomore Year:

Fall

Humanities and Arts (Arts and Sciences Core) Credits: 3
Geography Electives (upper division) Credits: 3

Fall or Spring

Biological Science (Arts and Sciences Core) Credits: 3
SGR Goal 3: Social Science (not GEOG) Credits: 3*
IGR Goal 2: Personal Wellness Credits: 2**

Spring

Geography Electives (upper division) Credits: 3

ENGL 201 - Composition II * Credits: 3
GEOG 210 - World Regional Geography * ** (COM) (G) Credits: 3
GEOG 382 - Geographic Research Methods (AW) Credits: 3

Junior Year:

Fall

IGR Goal 1: Land and Natural Resources Credits: 3**
IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness (not GEOG) Credits: 3**
Free Electives Credits: 8-10

Fall or Spring

Geography Electives (upper division) Credits: 3

Spring

Free Electives Credits: 9

GEOG 487 - Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3

Senior Year:

Geography/Other Electives Credits: 15-16

Total Credits

Total of 128 credits, 35 credits in Geography, minimum 18 upper division credits. GEOG 382 meets the Advanced Writing Requirement.

Environmental Planning and Management Emphasis

It is strongly suggested that environmental geographers choose a minor from the list of recommended minors available in the Geography Department. The upper division credits within the department should be selected from the following:

GEOG 310 - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation ** (G) Credits: 2
GEOG 310L - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation Studio ** Credits: 1
GEOG 337 - Atmospheric Sciences Credits: 3
GEOG 339 - Geomorphology Credits: 3
GEOG 343 - Environmental Disasters and Human Hazards Credits: 3
GEOG 351 - Economic Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 365 - Land Use Planning Credits: 3
GEOG 383 - Cartography Credits: 3
GEOG 425 - Population Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 484 - Remote Sensing Credits: 3
GEOG 488-588 - Geographic Information Systems II Credits: 3
GEOG 489-589 - Geographic Information Systems III Credits: 3

Greater Emphasis

For those students wishing to pursue a greater emphasis in planning, the upper division hours should be selected from the following courses:

GEOG 365 - Land Use Planning Credits: 3
GEOG 461 - Urban Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 464 - Local and Regional Planning Credits: 3
GEOG 483 - Air Photo Interpretation Credits: 3
GEOG 484 - Remote Sensing Credits: 3
GEOG 488-588 - Geographic Information Systems II Credits: 3
GEOG 489-589 - Geographic Information Systems III Credits: 3

Electives

Recommended electives outside of the Department:

Requirements for Geography Major: 35 cr

Upper division courses Credits: 15

GEOG 131 - Physical Geography I * Credits: 4
GEOG 131L - Physical Geography I Lab * Credits: 0
GEOG 132 - Physical Geography II * Credits: 4
GEOG 132L - Physical Geography II Lab * Credits: 0
GEOG 200 - Introduction to Human Geography * ** (G) Credits: 3
GEOG 210 - World Regional Geography * ** (COM) (G) Credits: 3
GEOG 382 - Geographic Research Methods (AW) Credits: 3
GEOG 487 - Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3

Note:

Students must earn at least a “C” in each course used to meet the departmental requirements of all majors, minors, and certificates.

Curriculum Notes:

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.