2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Geography

Requirements for a Major in Geography
B.A. or B.S. in General Geography Without an Emphasis
B.S. in Geography with an Emphasis in Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resiliency Planning
B.A. or B.S. in Geography with an Emphasis in Environment and Global Development
B.A. or B.S. in Geography with an Emphasis in Geospatial Technology
B.A. or B.S. in Geography with an Emphasis in Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Geography

Requirements for a Major in Geography

Core Courses

All geography majors, regardless of the area of emphasis, are required to complete the following core courses (12 credit hours):

B.A. or B.S. in General Geography Without an Emphasis

Students pursuing the general geography degree, without an emphasis, are to select their elective courses in consultation with their academic advisors to acquire significant transdisciplinary breadth, including courses in geospatial technology, urban and regional planning, environmental geography, sustainability science, and regional and global human development.

This self-designed geography degree track includes at least six credit hours of the regional geography, selected from the following:

AND choose at least 15 credits from the following topical geography and planning courses:

No more than six hours of GPY 399 and GPY 499 combined may count toward the major.

B.S. in Geography with an Emphasis in Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resiliency Planning

In addition to the geography major core courses (12 credits), students pursuing climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency planning emphasis are required to take the following five courses pertaining to climate mitigation and adaptation planning:

AND choose at least nine credits from the following elective courses:

B.A. or B.S. in Geography with an Emphasis in Environment and Global Development

In addition to the geography major core courses (12 credits), as previously specified, students pursuing a B.A. or B.S. in geography with an emphasis in environment and global development are required to take the following fundamental courses on global development and environmental changes (9 credits):

AND choose at least six credits of the following environmental courses on environmental sustainability:

AND choose at least four credits from the following courses on the regional patterns of environment and development:

AND choose at least three nonduplicated credits of any upper-level (300- or 400-level) geography and sustainable planning courses. These may include independent studies, internships, and study abroad courses.

B.A. or B.S. in Geography with an Emphasis in Geospatial Technology

In addition to the geography major core courses (12 credits), as previously specified, students pursuing a B.A. or B.S. in geography with an emphasis in geospatial technology are required to take the following GIS and remote sensing courses (13 credits):

AND choose one of the following GIS applications courses:

AND choose at least six nonduplicated credits of any 300- or 400-level geography and sustainable planning courses. These may include independent studies, internships, and study abroad courses.

B.A. or B.S. in Geography with an Emphasis in Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning

In addition to the geography major core courses (12 credits), as previously specified, students pursuing a B.A. or B.S. in geography with an emphasis in urban and regional planning are required to take the following fundamental urban and regional planning courses (6 credits):

And take at least six credits of the following planning courses:

And take at least four credits from the following courses related to sustainable planning:

And take at least three nonduplicated credits of any upper-level (300- or 400-level) geography and sustainable planning courses. These may include independent studies, internships, and study abroad courses.

General Education

Please note that all GVSU students must complete the university general education requirements. Some geography courses count for one or more general education categories (Foundations, Cultures, and Issues). Please see your advisor and GVSU General Education Program requirements if you have any questions about course overlaps.

All GVSU students are required to fulfill WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (or WRT 120 - Strategies in Writing - Stretch I and WRT 130 - Strategies in Writing - Stretch II) and two Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) classes with a grade not lower than C before graduation; GPY 495 - Senior Thesis is an SWS course.

B.A. or B.S. Degree Requirements

B.A. Degree Requirements

Students pursuing the B.A. degree requirements must satisfy the third semester proficiency (through the 201-level) in one of the classical or modern languages offered by the Classics Department or the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

B.S. Degree Requirements

Students pursuing the B.S. degree requirements must complete the following courses:

AND choose one of the following courses:

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Geography

Suggested sample curriculum for a major in geography (this is an example only, please see your advisor and follow the catalog to develop coursework appropriate for your interests and/or area of emphasis).

Year One

Fall Semester