Geography (GEOG) Major

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Roger Sandness
Department of Geography
Scobey Hall 232
605-688-4511
e-mail: roger.sandness@sdstate.edu

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

Freshman Year:

SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts Credits: 3
*(Fall and Spring)
SGR Goal 5: Mathematics Credits: 3
*(Fall or Spring)
Geography Electives Credits: 3
(Fall and Spring)

ENGL 101 - Composition I
* (Fall or Spring)
GEOG 131 - Physical Geography I
* (Fall)
GEOG 131L - Physical Geography I Lab
* (Fall)
GEOG 132 - Physical Geography II
* (Spring)
GEOG 132L - Physical Geography II Lab
* (Spring)
GEOG 200 - Introduction to Human Geography (G)
* (Fall or Spring)
SPCM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM)
* (Fall or Spring)

Sophomore Year:

Biological Science (Arts and Science Core) Credits: 3
(Fall or Spring)
Humanities and Arts (Arts and Science Core) Credits: 3
(Fall)
SGR Goal 3: Social Science (not GEOG) Credits: 3
*(Fall or Spring)
IGR Goal 2: Personal Wellness Credits: 2
**(Fall or Spring)
Geography Electives (upper division) Credits: 3
(Fall and Spring)

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

Junior Year:

IGR Goal 1: Land and Natural Resources Credits: 3
**(Fall)
IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness (not GEOG) Credits: 3
**(Fall)
Geography Electives (upper division) Credits: 3
(Fall or Spring)
Free Electives Credits: 8-10 in Fall and 9 in Spring

GEOG 487 - Geographic Information Systems I
(Spring)

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:

Greater Emphasis

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

Electives

Recommended electives outside of the Department:

Requirements for Geography Major: 35 cr

Upper division courses Credits: 15

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.