University of Connecticut | Majoring in GeographyRequirements for the MajorThe geography major requires 24 credits in 200-level geography courses and 12 credits of related course work taken in other departments. Majors complete a basic core of courses before beginning advanced work in their special areas of interest.
Each student, in conjunction with a departmental advisor, has the flexibility to tailor a program to his or her individual objectives. However, three sequences of courses are recommended to complete the other 12 credits required in Geography. These sequences or tracks are only suggestions for major programs based on common patterns elected by previous students and on the specializations of our faculty. Suggested tracks are: An internship program provides seniors an opportunity to apply their geographic training in state and local government and in private industry and may be included as part of any qualified undergraduate's major program.
Recommended Program for Upper Division
Students interested in the "skills" track within the major might also wish to take GEOG 240C (Cartographic Techniques) during their first semester.
Depending on their interests, students may also wish to consider electing an internship as part of their program for one of these semesters.
Human Geography and Urban-Economic Sytems TrackBuilding on the basic course in Human Geography, these programs of study focus on human activities and interrelationships either in broad theoretical terms or in specific regional cases. The suggested programs are designed to provide for detailed study of the geography of urban or economic systems or of specific world regions. If a career in urban/regional planning or in locational analysis/marketing is planned, an internship is strongly recommended as an adjunct to traditional classroom work.
Urban and Social Analysis TrackCourses in this sequence focus on the geographic theories and concepts that help us understand spatial patterns of land use and human activity, especially in large and small urban settings. These courses introduce the importance of social and demographic issues for understanding spatial behavior and spatial distributions. If a career in city, town, or even regional planning (e.g. Midstate Reginoal Planning Agency) or consulting is anticipated, this sequence should include and internship to provide critical experience. This sequence also prepares students for careers in market analysis and location analysis.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY GEOGRAPHY COURSES:
Physical Geography and Environmental Systems TrackThis course of study is designed to provide an in-depth analysis of the physical environment and the interaction of humans with natural systems. Building on the basic course in physical geography, courses continue the study of the physical geography of environmental systems at the global, national, regional, and local scales (Geography 285) or focus on the relationship between the physical environment and the management and conservation of natural resources (Geography 236, 286). Either seminar enables students to explore aspects of physical and environmental systems in depth. For thorough preparation for careers that deal with physical and environmental systems, related courses in geomorphology, ecology, and resource management are critical. An internship with a state or regional environmental or planning agency can provide valuable experience. This sequence prepares students for careers in environmental planning, land use analysis, and resource management. It is also very useful for students planning to attend graduate school in geography, planning, business administration, and law.
Geographic Information Systems TrackThis course of study builds on the base of human and physical geography required of all majors by focusing on techniques of acquisition, storage, manipulation and display and analysis of spatial information. Fully-equipped labs for mainframe based computer analysis and graphics, and for PC-based computer cartography provide ready access to the necessary tools for spatial analysis. By taking technical courses in other departments as their "relateds," students can effectively prepare themselves for technical careers in spatial analysis in the federal government (e.g., Defense Mapping Agency, National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration), and some private firms. The courses in this track are progressive or linear and must be taken in sequence. It is essential students elect GEOG 242Q no later than Spring of their junior year as it is the foundation for both GEOG 246C and 248C.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY GEOGRAPHY COURSES WITH A TOPICAL AN INTERNSHIP IS ALSO RECOMMENDED.
Regional Analysis and Policy TrackThis sequence of courses equips students with theories and skills necessary to analyze how the economies of regions function and change. In addition to courses that focus on specific aspects of regional economies and associated policies -- development and transportation systems, a regional course increases students' understanding of how the economic, cultural and physical environments interact in a region. A seminar course provides students an opportunity to use their understanding of regional economies to delve further into some aspect of regional analysis and polcy, either international trade, regional planning, or public facility location. In addition to careers in public and private agencies involved in regional planning and economic development, many firms hire geographers with this background to do locational decision-making.
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