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2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

Geography, BA


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.

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:

Systematic and Regional Geography (6 credits)


Students must take one regional course and one systematic course from the list below.

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:

Natural Science (1 credit)


Choose one credit in addition to the Mason Core: Natural Science  requirement for a total of 8 credits. This combined college-level and university requirement must be fulfilled by completing two of any approved Mason Core: Natural Science  courses that include a laboratory experience (except for BIOL 124  and BIOL 125 ).

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.

Non-western Culture (0-3 credits)


Choose one approved Non-Western Culture Requirement  course in addition to the course used to fulfill the Mason Core: Global Understanding  requirement. A course used to fulfill the Mason Core: Global Understanding  requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. However, a course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core  requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major).

Students who can document attendance at a native school in a non-western country for at least four years may request a waiver from this requirement through the CHSS Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office.

Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits