Department of Geography
Main Departmental Office
Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building, 210
P.O. Box 305279
Denton, TX 76203-5279
(940) 565-2091
Fax: (940) 369-7550
Web site: www.geog.unt.edu
C. Reid Ferring, Chair
Faculty
Professors Acevedo, Ferring, Schoolmaster.
Associate Professors Hudak, Lyons, McGregor,
Oppong, Williams. Assistant Professors Ji, Nagaoka.
Introduction
Geography is both an academic and an applied field. The job market in geography is increasingly
strong and diverse. Majors are prepared for a broad range of employment, including geographic
information systems, regional and urban planning, retail and industrial site location planning, transportation
planning, parks and recreation planning, housing and community development, land and water resources
management, environmental consulting and regulatory work, land surveying and cartography, archaeology and
meteorology. Completion of the department's programs also prepares students for graduate course work in
geography, archaeology and environmental science.
The Department of Geography offers courses for students majoring in geography or other
fields. Students in the colleges of arts and sciences, business administration, education and community service
will find that geography provides excellent support for their majors. Students majoring in any field may minor
in geography, geology or archaeology (all offered through this department); complete courses to fill
core requirements; obtain the department's certificate in geographic information systems; or take courses
for general interest.
Geography courses are divided into two subfields: regional science and earth science. Regional
science courses focus on the spatial dimensions of human activity. Earth science courses explore physical
processes that operate inside the earth, at its surface and in the atmosphere, and interactions between humans and
the physical environment. The earth science courses are under both physical geography and geology headings.
Students planning to transfer to another institution to pursue a geology major should consult with
the undergraduate adviser.
Programs of Study
The department offers two undergraduate programs and a graduate program in the following areas:
- Bachelor of Arts, and
- Bachelor of Science both with a major in geography;
- concentrations under the geography major in earth science and regional science; and
- Master of Science with a major in applied geography.
Degree Requirements
1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements:
A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree
as specified in the "General University Requirements
" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements.
2. Major Requirements: 37 hours including completion of GEOG 1170 or 1200, GEOL 1610 or
GEOG 1710, GEOG 2400 and 3190; three courses from GEOG 3050, 4060, 4170, 4400, 4500, 4520, 4550
and 4560; and five advanced courses selected from Groups A and B. At least two courses must be selected
from each group.
Group A: Earth Science
GEOG 3350, 4240, 4250, 4750, 4900 and 4920; GEOL 3000, 3020, 4630, 4650 and 4850.
Group B: Regional Science
GEOG 3010, 3100, 3750, 3800, 4120, 4210, 4410, 4420, 4900 and 4920.
3. Other Course Requirements: None.
4. Minor: Optional.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
Degree Requirements
1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements:
A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree
as specified in the "General University Requirements
" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements.
2. Major Requirements: Completion of two of the following course groups, in addition to the
courses required for the Bachelor of Arts with a major in geography. The two course groups (four courses in
total) can be substituted for the foreign language requirement of the Arts and Sciences degree requirements.
Group I Computer Programming and Information Systems.
Any two of the following CSCI 1110, Program Development, 4 hours; CSCI 1120, Structured Programming, 4 hours; BCIS 3610, Basic
Information Systems, 3 hours; GEOG 4560, Visual Programming for Geographical Information Systems, 3 hours.
Group II Mathematics. Two courses (excluding MATH 2090), each at least 3 hours, in addition to
the college requirement for meeting the Arts and Sciences Degree requirements.
Group III Physical and Natural/Life
Science. Two advanced level courses, each at least 3 hours,
in physics, chemistry or biology, subject to approval by the geography undergraduate adviser. Group
III courses may be from different departments (for example, one in physics and one in chemistry).
3. Other Course Requirements: None.
4. Minor: Optional.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
Concentrations
Students who wish to concentrate in earth science should select three courses from Group A and
two courses from Group B as listed under the BA with a Major in Geography, and students who wish
to concentrate in regional science should select two courses from Group A and three courses from Group B.
Minor in Archaeology
A minor in archaeology requires 19 hours, including ANTH 1010, ARCH 2500 and 2800;
and a total of 9 hours selected from ARCH 3650, 4620 (multiple sections for separate credit) and
ARCH 4810.
Minor in Geography
Students planning to minor in geography should consult the geography undergraduate adviser. A
minor requires 19 hours, and usually includes GEOG 1170 or 1200, 1710, and 12 advanced hours.
Minor in Geology
A minor in geology requires 19-20 hours in geology and earth science, including GEOL 1610,
3000, 3020 and 4650, and two additional courses from: GEOG 3350, GEOG 4750, GEOL 4630 and GEOL
4850. Geography majors may minor in geology, but none of the courses taken to satisfy the minor can also
be applied to the major.
Teacher Certification
Teacher certification requirements were under review by the State Board for Educator Certification
at the time this catalog went to press. Contact your undergraduate adviser and the Department of
Teacher Education and Administration for current information.
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (15 hours):
The geography department offers a departmental certificate in geographic information systems
(GIS). Fifteen hours of course work are required, including four core courses and one elective. Core
courses include GEOG 4060, 4500, 4520 and 4550. Contact the department or visit our web site for more
information.
Students interested in land and water resource assessment and management or regional science
and planning should consider the Master of Science with a major in Applied Geography and the
graduate programs in environmental science. Faculty from the Department of Geography, in cooperation with
the Department of Biological Sciences and the Institute of Applied Sciences, contribute to coordinating
the environmental science degrees.
The Department of Geography, in conjunction with the departments of public administration
and economics, offers studies in urban and regional planning within the Master of Public Administration
degree program. Undergraduates who anticipate entering this program should take a minimum of 12 hours in
public administration.
Students interested in archaeology should consider the MS with a major in applied geography
or interdisciplinary studies. Faculty from the departments of geography, biological sciences, and the Center
for Environmental Archaeology coordinate these degrees, which emphasize geoarchaeology,
zooarchaeology, and interdisciplinary techniques including GIS, remote sensing and quantitative/spatial analysis.
All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.
The "Course and Subject Guide," found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as
a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.
Major in Geography
Following is one suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their adviser each
semester for help with program decisions and enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all course
prerequisites. *See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course options. ** See
Arts and Sciences degree requirements section of this catalog for approved list of course options.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL HOURS
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
GEOG 1170, Culture, Environment and Society, or GEOG 1200, World Regional Geography 3
MATH (above College Algebra, except 2090)** 3
PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
Elective 3
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL HOURS
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
LANG 2040, Foreign Language (intermediate)* 3
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies* 3
Physical Science** 4
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
GEOG 3190, Quantitative Methods in Geography 3
Geography (advanced) Techniques 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
SENIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
Elective (advanced) 4
Geography (advanced) Group A 3
Geography (advanced) Techniques 3
Geography (advanced) Techniques 3
Literature** 3
Total 16
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING HOURS
ENGL 1320, College Writing II* 3
GEOG 1710, Earth Science, or GEOL 1610, Introductory Physical Geology** 4
PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
Communication** 3
Wellness* 3
Total 16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
SPRING HOURS
GEOG 2400, Applied Geography 3
HIST 2620, United States History since 1865* 3
LANG 2050, Foreign Language (intermediate)* 3
Humanities* 3
Natural Sciences* 4
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
Elective (advanced) 3
Geography (advanced) Group A 3
Geography (advanced) Group B 3
Elective 3
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 15
SENIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective 3
Elective 4
Geography (advanced) Group A 3
Geography (advanced) Group B 3
Total 19
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses
may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a
minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.
Major in Geography
Following is one suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their adviser each
semester for help with program decisions and enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all course
prerequisites. *See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course options. ** See
Arts and Sciences degree requirements section of this catalog for approved list of course options.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL HOURS
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
GEOG 1170, Culture, Environment and Society, or GEOG 1200, World Regional Geography 3
PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies* 3
Communication** 3
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL HOURS
Literature** 3
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
BS Geography Course Group I, II, or III 3-4
Elective 3
Physical Science** 4
Total 16-17
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
GEOG 3190, Quantitative Methods in Geography 3
BS Geography Course Group I, II, or III 3
Geography (advanced) Group A 3
Wellness* 3
Elective 4
Total 16
SENIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
Elective (advanced) 3
Geography (advanced) Group B 3
Geography (advanced) Techniques 3
Geography (advanced) Techniques 3
Elective (advanced) 4
Total 16
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING HOURS
ENGL 1320, College Writing II* 3
GEOG 1710, Earth Science, or GEOL 1610, Introductory Physical Geology 4
MATH 1400, College Math with Calculus 3
PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
Elective 3
Total 16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
SPRING HOURS
Humanities* 3
GEOG 2400, Applied Geography 3
HIST 2620, United States History since 1865* 3
BS Geography Course Group I, II, or III 3-4
Laboratory Science** 4
Total 16-17
JUNIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
BS Geography Course Group I, II, or III 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Elective (advanced, see major requirements) 3
Geography (advanced) Group A 3
Geography (advanced) Group B 3
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 18
SENIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Geography (advanced) Group A or B 3
Geography (advanced) Techniques 3
Total 15
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses
may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a
minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.