2016-2017 University Catalog
Geography, BA
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Banner Code: SC-BA-GEOG
College: College of Science
Department: Geography and Geoinformation Science
The Geography, BA is designed to offer students the opportunity to study the integrated social and environmental processes that continuously shape and reshape the world we live in. This major provides students with broad training across the core subdisciplines of geography (human, physical, and GIScience), while also offering the requisite flexibility for those students seeking a multidisciplinary educational experience. Students will find numerous opportunities for employment in both the private and public sectors, as well as in academia, as geographers are well suited to address important local, regional, and global challenges in today’s world, given their interdisciplinary approach and uniquely spatial perspective.
The Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science fosters a supportive, active learning environment in which students are encouraged to work closely with both faculty and peers. The curriculum in this major provides students with the synthesis skills and broad base of knowledge that prepares them to be successful in an ever-evolving job market. For students who wish to pursue their interest in geography with a more technical curriculum, the department also offers a Geography, BS .
The Geography, BA consists of three required components: (1) core courses; (2) systematic and regional courses; (3) GGS elective courses; and (4) an approved double major, disciplinary minor, interdisciplinary minor, or certificate.
Students must fulfill all Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees , including the Mason Core . Additionally, students in the Geography, BA must complete the College Requirements for the BA Degree (outlined below).
GGS 415 meets the writing intensive requirement for this major.
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Degree Requirements
Candidates for a degree in geography must complete the approved GGS geography courses with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Core Courses (22-23 credits)
Select one of the following three courses:
Core Courses (continued)
Complete all of the following courses:
Systematic and Regional Geography (6 credits)
Students must take one regional course and one systematic course from the list below. Systematic Courses
Choose one course from the following:
Regional Courses
Choose one course from the following:
GGS Electives (9-10 credits)
Two of the three courses selected must be upper-level GGS courses.
Additional Program (at least 15 credits)
- Students take 15 or more credits consisting of an established minor, second major, or other coherent package of courses approved by the advisor and the department chair.
Mason Core and Elective Credits (66-68 credits)
In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires an additional 66-68 credits, which may be applied towards any remaining Mason Core requirements (outlined below), Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees , College Requirements for the BA Degree (outlined below), and elective courses. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.
College Requirements for the BA Degree
Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill this college-level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements such as Mason Core requirements, other college-level requirements, or requirements for the major. In some cases, the requirements listed below may be superseded by requirements of the degree program and the Mason Core .
Philosophy or Religious Studies (3 credits)
Choose any course in philosophy (PHIL) or religious studies (RELI), except for PHIL 323 and PHIL 324 .
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
Choose one approved Mason Core: Social and Behavioral Science course in addition to the Mason Core -required course for a total of 6 credits. The two courses used to fulfill the combined college-level and university requirements must be from different disciplines.
This requirement may be fulfilled by completing any course in ANTH, CRIM, ECON, GOVT, HIST (except HIST 100 or HIST 125 ), LING, PSYC, or SOCI, and the following GGS courses:
Foreign Language (0-3 credits)
Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language is required. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing a course in a foreign language numbered 202, 209, or 210 (or higher-level courses taught in the language), or by achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test. Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found via the college’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs.
Mason Core
Please note that some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above.
Expand each item below for a link to specific course lists for each category:
Foundation Requirements (15-19 credits)
Core Requirements (22 credits)
Synthesis/Capstone Requirement (minimum 3 credits)
Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits
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