Jennifer Brewer
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Current students who declare geography prior to fall 2019 may elect to either follow the current requirements or the new requirements listed in the document below.
Geography (B.A.)
Geography (B.A.)
What is geography?
Are you curious about the world? Do you want to make a difference? The geography major links local to global perspectives and environmental and social sciences. We study relationships between environments and people, exploring the form, function and perceptions of places and spaces and how they interact and change. Geographic insights are fundamental to solving major challenges of our time, including climate change, environmental hazards, social justice, political conflict, public health, globalization, sustainability, and urban and rural development.Wherever you want to go, from your own backyard to the most distant reaches of the planet, Geography can take you there!
Why study geography at UNH?
Geography is rich in possibilities.Because our students gain strong skills across social and natural sciences, integration of diverse knowledges and experience, and analysis of spatial data through digital mapping, they excel in a wide variety of careers that span private, public and nonprofit sectors. With small class sizes, personalized advising and opportunities for independent study, you’ll enjoy a high degree of individual attention. You’ll have opportunities to intern at places as varied as forestry agencies, international relief organizations and planning commissions and to study abroad in countries such as China, Ghana, Italy, Denmark, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Spain and Vietnam.
Potential careers
- City, town or rural planning
- Community development
- Emergency management
- Environmental and social justice
- Environmental or social sciences teacher
- Geospatial data analysis
- Intelligence and security
- International development
- Market research
- Natural resource management
- Public health
- Transportation and logistics
Curriculum & Requirements
The geography major provides undergraduates with a solid foundation in geography by uniting social and biophysical sciences, humanities and technology to examine the factors that make a place or environment unique. Connecting academic inquiry to real-world problem solving, you will develop critical thinking skills and be prepared to transfer classroom and field experience into a wide range of careers.
With interests ranging from globalization to climate change and sustainability, urbanization to community development at home and abroad, UNH geography graduates have gone on to careers in urban, regional and transportation planning, community development, environmental conservation and natural resources management, sustainability science, geographic information science, market research, locational analysis, population studies, foreign aid, international diplomacy and education.
To earn a bachelor of arts in geography, students must complete 10 geography courses with a minimum grade of C-minus:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select three foundation courses. | ||
| Select two skills courses. | ||
| Select five elective courses. | ||
Foundation Courses
Foundation courses are intended to provide students a basic understanding of human, physical, and world regional geography. It is recommended they be taken as early as possible in a student's program.
All geography majors must complete three foundation courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 401 | World Regions: Europe and the Americas | 4 |
| or GEOG 402 | World Regions: Asia and Africa | |
| GEOG 572 | Geography of the Natural Environment | 4 |
| GEOG 581 | Society, Environment and Justice | 4 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
sKills Courses
Skills courses are required of all majors. Skills courses provide students with basic analytical and technical skills used in geography.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two skills courses | ||
| GEOG 590 | Field Research | 4 |
| or GEOG #595 | Statistics for Spatial Science | |
| GEOG 658 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 1 | 4 |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
- 1
Students are encouraged to complete GEOG #595 Statistics for Spatial Science, or another statistics course approved by their advisor before enrolling in GEOG 658 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select five elective courses | 20 | |
Select four courses from the electives list below (may be any geography courses, excluding 401 or 402) 2 | ||
Discovery Program Capstone: | ||
Select one 600+ writing intensive course from electives list below (these are GEOG 670, GEOG 673, GEOG 685, GEOG #686) | ||
| Total Credits | 20 | |
- 2
Independent study courses including GEOG 695 Internship and GEOG 795 Special Project may be applied to the major elective requirement once if taken for a total of four credit hours.
Electives List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 405 | There Is No Planet B | 4 |
| GEOG 473 | Elements of Weather | 4 |
| GEOG 530 | China: People, Politics and Economy | 4 |
| GEOG 540 | Geography of the Middle East | 4 |
| GEOG 550 | Sub-Saharan Africa: Environmental Politics and Development | 4 |
| GEOG 560 | Natural Hazards and Human Disasters | 4 |
| GEOG 572 | Geography of the Natural Environment | 4 |
| GEOG 574 | Global Landscapes and Environmental Processes | 4 |
| GEOG 581 | Society, Environment and Justice | 4 |
| GEOG 582 | Global Trade and Local Development | 4 |
| GEOG 584 | Political Geography | 4 |
| GEOG 591 | Making Maps: GIS Fundamentals | 4 |
| GEOG 670 | Climate and Society | 4 |
| GEOG 673 | Political Ecology | 4 |
| GEOG 685 | Population and Development | 4 |
| GEOG #686 | World Economy and Globalization | 4 |
| GEOG 757 | Remote Sensing of the Environment | 4 |
| GEOG 759 | Digital Image Processing for Natural Resources | 4 |
| GEOG #760 | Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources | 4 |
Geotechniques
Students interested in geographic information systems, remote sensing, locational analysis and other geographic techniques may specialize in Geotechniques by completing three 700-level methods courses in Geography (GEOG 750-769).
Additional Requirements
Major department courses may be used to satisfy two Discovery category requirements excluding courses taken for foundation course credit and unlimited in the case of a second major.
The university's foreign language requirement may not be fulfilled by American Sign Language except by petition.
Students intending to major in geography should consult with the department chairperson.
- Integrate biophysical and socio-cultural disciplinary traditions to explain the complex interrelationships between and among human-natural systems spanning local to global scales.
- Communicate geographic concepts, research, and methods of analysis professionally and effectively through written products, oral presentations, and visualizations appropriate for the intended audience.
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