Geography (GEOG) Major

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Roger Sandness, Head
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:

ENGL 101 - Composition I Credits: 3
* (Fall or Spring)
GEOG 131 - Physical Geography I Credits: 4
* (Fall)
GEOG 131L - Physical Geography I Lab Credits: 0
* (Fall)
GEOG 132 - Physical Geography II Credits: 4
* (Spring)
GEOG 132L - Physical Geography II Lab Credits: 0
* (Spring)
GEOG 200 - Introduction to Human Geography (G) Credits: 3
* (Fall or Spring)
SPCM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) Credits: 3
* (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 Credits: 3
* (Spring)
GEOG 210 - World Regional Geography (COM) (G) Credits: 3
** (Spring)
GEOG 382 - Geographic Research Methods (AW) Credits: 3
(Spring)

Junior Year:

GEOG 487 - Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3
(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:

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