Geography, Applied (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Geography
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Geographic and Environmental Sciences
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab

Program Information

Geographers investigate the character and possible associations between a subject and its environment. The Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences educates students to view the world in a spatial and time-dependent context to determine relationships between people and their immediate and global environment.

 The department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in five different tracks:

• Environmental Sciences: designed for students who are interested in the environment and environmental sustainability.
• Geospatial Technologies: designed for students who are interested in developing geospatial technologies like GIS and remote sensing.
• Human and Cultural Dynamics: designed for students interested in the forces that shape human environments like population trends, sustainable development, ethnic and racial segregation, globalization and geopolitics.
• Meteorology: designed for students interested in operational meteorology and meets NOAA requirements to work for the National Weather Service.
• Urban Analytics: designed for students interested in using data science and geospatial technologies to analyze processes that shape urban environments and solve urban problems.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.

Degree Summary

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Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. 

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Accelerated BS/MS in Applied Geography

The Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences offers an accelerated BS/MS program in which exceptional majors in any of the BS Applied Geography degree tracks may earn up to 9 graduate-level credit hours (at either the 500 or 600 level) during their Senior year. Exceptional students in other programs who are minoring in Geography, Environmental Analysis, Meteorology or Urban and Regional Analysis may also be considered in consultation with their major program undergraduate advisor. These graduate-level courses are then counted towards both the BS and MS Applied Geography degrees, allowing students to go on and complete the graduate degree with the remaining graduate hours, saving both time and expense.  If enrolling full time in the graduate program, students may graduate with the MS Applied Geography degree in as little as 2-3 semesters, instead of the usual 4.

Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelor’s/ master’s degree offered through the Soaring Scholar program must first meet with their Academic Advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. They will then work with their department and academic advisor to register for classes each semester, ensuring they meet the milestones and academic progress requirements of the Soaring Scholar program. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor’s degree is conferred. In their final undergraduate semester, they are expected to apply for admission to their respective master's program.

Departmental Admission Requirements

There are no specific admission requirements for students in the traditional degree plan.  The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.

Admission and Application to the Accelerated BS/MS Applied Geography Soaring Scholars Program

Students interested in applying to the BS/MS Applied Geography Soaring Scholars program should follow the application process outlined in the Soaring Scholars Application Checklist.

The minimum requirements for the BS/MS Applied Geography Soaring Scholars program are listed in the Soaring Scholars Application Checklist

Admission to a Soaring Scholar program does not guarantee admission into the associated master’s degree program.  Soaring Scholar students must apply to the associated graduate program in their last semester, before graduating with the bachelor’s degree, to be considered for the Accelerated Master’s graduate program. They must meet all the requirements for admission to the graduate program at the time of application to be admitted. Learn more about the graduate admissions process and admission requirements for the Applied Geography Master’s program.

General Education Requirements

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Meteorology track also requires ENVS 220/PHYS 220, PHYS 295, PHYS 298 and MATH 205.

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. 

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above. 

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Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. 

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Completion of the second semester of a single foreign language; hours will vary depending on the language taken

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Students in the Meteorology track satisfy this requirement by completing the track. Please consult the Track Requirements tab for more information.

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Fulfills WR requirement.

 

 

Track Requirements

Track in Meteorology

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_MET

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Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

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Some free electives at the 300+ level may be required to reach a minimum of 50 hours at the 300+ level.

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Students may double count these courses in the college's programmatic requirements.

Track in Environmental Sciences

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_ENV

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Students may also count courses used to satisfy Cardinal Core requirements to meet the supporting course requirements. This may require additional electives to complete the minimum hours required for the degree.

Track in Geospatial Technologies

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_GST

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Students may also count courses used to satisfy Cardinal Core requirements to meet the supporting course requirements. This may require additional electives to complete the minimum hours required for the degree.

Track in Human and Cultural Dynamics

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_HCD

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Students may also count courses used to satisfy Cardinal Core requirements to meet the supporting course requirements. This may require additional electives to complete the minimum hours required for the degree.

Track in Urban Analytics

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS_URA

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Students may also count courses used to satisfy Cardinal Core requirements to meet the supporting course requirements. This may require additional electives to complete the minimum hours required for the degree.

Accelerated BS/MS Applied Geography Soaring Scholars Program

Prior to applying to the Accelerated BS/MS Applied Geography Soaring Scholars Program, students should identify up to 9 credit hours at the 500-600 level to complete during their Senior year to count as dual credit towards their current BS and planned MS Applied Geography degree. Students should consult with their academic advisor and the program department’s Director of Graduate Studies when identifying these dual credit hours. However, enrollment in some or all of the following required foundation courses - GEOG 600, GEOG 656 and GEOG 660 - is strongly encouraged for the dual credit. This will increase flexibility of elective course enrollment later in the MS program and staying on track to graduate with the MS degree in 2-3 semesters instead of the usual 4.

Flight Plan

Track in Environmental Sciences

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS ENV

Track in Geospatial Technologies

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS GST

Track in Human and Cultural Dynamics

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS HCD

Track in Meteorology

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS MET

Track in Urban Analytics

Academic Plan Code(s): GEOGBS URA

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."
   3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.