2023-24 Catalogs

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Columbia, MO 65211
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BA in Geography

Degree Program Description

Geographers are interested in a wide range of topics and often work in interdisciplinary teams that analyze challenges like environmental change, resource use, and economic issues in an increasingly interdependent world. Geography majors receive marketable skills during their undergraduate experience. All majors must select one of the four emphasis areas: General Geography, Geographic Information Sciences, Physical/Environmental, Regional/Cultural, or Urban/Population. Geography prepares students for a variety of professions including careers in environmental impact assessment, mapping, remote sensing, geographic information analysis, government service, military intelligence, as well as education.

Major Program Requirements

Students majoring in geography are required to take a total of 33 credits in geography and 3 in statistics. The geography major consists of 21 core credits and at least 15 credits in one of the four geography emphasis areas. In addition, students must complete all degree, College of Arts and Sciences and University requirements including University general education.

Major core requirements

GEOG 1100Regions and Nations of the World I3
GEOG 1200Regions and Nations of the World II3
GEOG 1550Introduction to the Humanized Earth3
GEOG 1800Digital Earth: Introduction to the Geospatial Technologies3
GEOG 2610Climate, Landforms and Vegetation: Introduction to Physical Geography3
GEOG 3840Cartography3
or GEOG 3040 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems GIS
GEOG 4990Senior Seminar in Geography3
Total Credits21

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available. 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGLSH 1000*3MATH 1100*3
GEOL 1100*4GEOG 2610^3
GEOG 1100^3Second language II*4-6
Second language I*4-6Elective/minor course3
 14-16 13-15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Second language III*3-4GEOG 3840 or 3040^3
Social Science Course (MO State Law)*3GEOG 18003
Elective/Minor Course3Behavioral Science Course*3
3000+ level Geog emphasis course3Behavioral Science Course*3
GEOG 15503Writing Intensive Course*3
 15-16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Biological/Physical Science Course*3Humanities/Fine Arts Course*3
Social Science Course (2000+)33000+ level Geog emphasis course3
3000+ level Geog emphasis course3Social Science Course (2000+)*3
3000+ level Geog emphasis course3Humanities/Fine Arts Course (2000+)*3
Social Science Course*3Biological/Physical Science Course with Lab3-5
 Elective/Minor Course (3000+) 
 15 15-17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 1200 or 13003GEOG 4990^3
Humanities/Fine Arts Course*33000+ level Geog emphasis course3
3000+ level Geog emphasis course3Elective/Minor Course3
Elective/Minor Course (3000+)3Humanities/Fine Arts Course (2000+)*3
Elective/Minor Course3Elective/Minor Course (3000+)3
 15 15
Total Credits: 117-124

Requires 120 credits for graduation.

*

Denotes General Education and A&S Foundation Requirements

^

Denotes Degree Program Requirements

~

Denotes Emphasis Area Requirements

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Degree Audit

 

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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