The Geography major at UNH offers a comprehensive understanding of the connections between environments and people, integrating local and global perspectives with environmental and social sciences. Students explore issues like climate change, social justice, and urban development, gaining skills such as spatial analysis and digital mapping. The program supports diverse career paths in private, public, and nonprofit sectors, with opportunities for internships and study abroad in various countries. Small class sizes and personalized advising enhance the learning experience, preparing students to address global challenges and make a difference in our world.
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 can enjoy a high degree of individual attention. Our students pursue jobs and internships with organizations as varied as forestry agencies, international relief organizations, and regional planning commissions as well as study abroad in countries such as China, Ghana, Italy, Denmark, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Spain and Vietnam.
Potential career Areas
- 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
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Geography MajorNico Mayo-Pushee ‘23 calls geography “the best medium to understand the world” because, he says, “it can look at the junction between people, place and time to paint a picture of basically any event that occurs in the world.” He found his way to the major after taking two Discovery courses that stirred an interest he had once had in the subject. One class was taught by Jennifer…Learn More -
Geography and International Affairs MajorsHometown: Bow, N.H. What made you choose UNH? I am actually a transfer student and I initially went to a school in Washington, D.C., but ended up choosing UNH because I love New Hampshire and I was really interested in the…Learn More -
Geography and Sustainability MajorsCollege choice stories could be their own literary sub-genre, involving as they often do dramatic decisions and “what ifs” we never forget. Jordan Garrett had her moment of decision while driving back to her hometown of Portsmouth, N.H., after visiting a pricey university she was considering along with UNH. “As we came down Route 4 near Great Bay, I suddenly realized I simply couldn…Learn More -
Geography Major | Aerospace Research AnalystWhat are you currently doing for work and how did you get to this point? I'm a research analyst at MinebeaMitsumi Aerospace. I perform research activities for one of the largest manufacturers of aerospace bearings in the world. These activities include compiling monthly reports for 9…Learn More -
Geography and History Majors | Social Media and Engagement Coordinator AAGWhat are you currently doing for work and how did you get to this point? Currently I am the social media and engagement coordinator at the American Association of Geographers (AAG). The AAG is a non-profit membership association for academic and professional geographers located in…Learn More
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.
Students intending to major in geography should consult with the department chairperson.
Sample Degree Plan
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| GEOG 401 or GEOG 402 | World Regions: Europe and the Americas or World Regions: Asia and Africa | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Language Course | 4 | |
| First Year Seminar | 1 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 400-level Course | 4 | |
| Language Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG 580 | Human Geography: People and Places | 4 |
| GEOG 572 | Geography of the Natural Environment | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 591 | Making Maps: GIS Fundamentals | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG 500-level Course | 4 | |
| GEOG 600-level Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 600-level Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG 600-level Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 600-level Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 129 | |
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Students can explore a second major, minor, or general electives.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
Students must complete 10 Geography courses (40 credits) with a minimum grade of C-minus.
Students complete foundation courses intended to provide a basic understanding of human, physical, and world regional geography. It is recommended the courses be taken as early as possible in a student's program. Students also complete required skills courses, which provide the basic analytical and technical skills used in geography, electives, and a capstone course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | ||
| 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 580 | Human Geography: People and Places | 4 |
| Skills Courses | ||
| GEOG 591 | Making Maps: GIS Fundamentals | 4 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select five courses from the following: 1 | 20 | |
GEOG 405 | There Is No Planet B | |
GEOG 473 | Elements of Weather | |
GEOG 530 | China: People, Politics and Economy | |
GEOG 550 | Sub-Saharan Africa: Environmental Politics and Development | |
GEOG 560 | Natural Hazards and Human Disasters | |
GEOG 572 | Geography of the Natural Environment | |
GEOG 574 | Global Landscapes and Environmental Processes | |
GEOG 581 | Society, Environment and Justice | |
GEOG 582 | Global Trade and Local Development | |
GEOG 584 | Political Geography | |
GEOG 591 | Making Maps: GIS Fundamentals | |
GEOG 670 | Climate and Society | |
GEOG 673 | Political Ecology | |
| Capstone | ||
| Select one 600-level Writing Intensive course from the following: | 4 | |
GEOG 670 | Climate and Society | |
GEOG 673 | Political Ecology | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
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).
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Any GEOG course, excluding GEOG 401 and GEOG 402.
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 (4) credits.
Program Learning Outcomes
- 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.
Additional Resources
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.
