Geography (Geographic Information Science and Technology) - Bachelor of Science
Overview
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers a Bachelor of Science in Geography with a concentration in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T). This major provides students with a strong foundation in geography, the study of how people and the environment interact across space and time, and introduces diverse concepts and methods from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Unlike the concentration in Environmental Studies, the GIS&T concentration focuses on the collection, analysis, and visualization of geospatial data using various technologies for tackling human and/or environmental challenges.
Graduates pursue careers in fields such as data and information management, urban and regional planning, cultural and natural resources management, emergency management, and public health.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the B.S. in Geography with a concentration in Geographic Information Science & Technology, students will be able to:
- Apply geographic concepts and methods to critically evaluate human and/or environmental problems.
- Articulate potential ethical solutions to human and/or environmental problems using critical thinking.
- Communicate effectively in verbal, written, and/or visual formats with diverse audiences.
More Information
See the Requirements tab for details on course and credit expectations for earning the B.S. in Geography with a concentration in Environmental Studies, and the Roadmap tab for a suggested course sequence.
Course and Credit Requirements
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers a Bachelor of Science in Geography with a concentration in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T). This major provides students with a strong foundation in geography, the study of how people and the environment interact across space and time, and introduces diverse concepts and methods from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Unlike the concentration in Environmental Studies, the GIS&T concentration focuses on the collection, analysis, and visualization of geospatial data using various technologies for tackling human and/or environmental challenges. Career opportunities for students pursuing this major span diverse fields, including data and information management, urban and regional planning, cultural and natural resources management, emergency management, and public health.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework. A grade of "C-" or better is required for all courses taken for the major. Students may not take any of these courses S/U.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| or ENGL 1110H | Composition I Honors | |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication | 3 |
| or ENGL 2210H | Professional and Technical Communication | |
| or ENGL 2215G | Advanced Technical and Professional Communication | |
| or ENGL 2221G | Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | |
| or HNRS 2175G | Introduction to Communication Honors | |
| Area II: Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1220G | College Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 1250G | Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus | |
| or MATH 1350G | Introduction to Statistics | |
| or MATH 2350G | Statistical Methods | |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences | 10-11 | |
| Physical Geography (Departmental Requirement) | 4 | |
| World Regional Geography (Departmental Requirement) | 3 | |
or GEOG 1130G | Human Geography | |
Either an Area III/IV Laboratory Sciences Course or Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (4 or 3 credits) 1 | ||
| Area V: Humanities 1 | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | ||
| MATH 1350G | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| or MATH 2350G | Statistical Methods | |
| Viewing a Wider World 2 | 6 | |
| Departmental/College Requirements | ||
| Introductory GIS&T Courses | ||
| GEOG 2130 | Map Analysis & Interpretation | 3 |
| GEOG 373 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 4 |
| GEOG 381 | Cartography and GIS | 4 |
| GEOG 481 | Fundamentals of GIS | 4 |
| Advanced GIS&T Courses | ||
| GEOG 473 | Advanced Remote Sensing | 4 |
| GEOG 442 | Programming for GIS | 3 |
| GEOG 485 | Spatial Analysis and Modeling | 3 |
| Human Geography, Physical Geography, and Environmental Studies Courses | 12-13 | |
| Select 12-13 credits from the following, choosing at least one course from each of these three areas: Physical Geography, Human Geography, and Environmental Studies. | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Biogeography | 3 | |
| Geomorphology | 3 | |
| Weather & Climate: Earth's Dynamic Atmosphere | 3 | |
| Landscape Ecology | 4 | |
| Human Geography | ||
| Challenges and Opportunities of Globalization | 3 | |
| Culture, Nature, and the Environment | 3 | |
| The City | 3 | |
| Environmental Studies | ||
| New Mexico and the American West | 3 | |
| U.S. National Parks | 3 | |
| Environment and Society of Latin America | 3 | |
| Environment and Society of Europe | 3 | |
| Planning a Sustainable World | 3 | |
| Southwest Environments | 3 | |
| Field Explorations in Geography | 3 | |
| Second Language Requirement (required - see below) | 6-8 | |
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 3 | 35-39 | |
| 9 credits must be upper-division | ||
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 2
See the Viewing a Wider World (VWW) section of the catalog for a full list of courses. Geography students are required to complete two VWW courses, totaling 6 credits. One VWW course must be selected from outside the College of Arts and Sciences, and the other must be from outside the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. Students may substitute three credits earned through a Study Abroad Experience for one of the VWW course requirements.
- 3
Elective credits may vary depending on factors such as General Education course selection, second language requirements, prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount listed in the requirements is what’s needed to reach the total of 120 credits but may vary based on the specific degree. However, students may need to complete more or fewer credits on a case-by-case basis, so it’s important to discuss elective requirements with an advisor.
Second Language Requirement
For the Bachelor of Science in Geography with a concentration in Environmental Studies, all majors must demonstrate one-year proficiency in a foreign language (through the 1120 level, completed with a C- or better) or equivalent/placement. The options to fulfill this requirement are listed below. The number of credits required may vary depending on the student’s existing language proficiency. Consult an advisor for more information on the courses needed to fulfill the second language requirement for this degree. Please note that language immersion courses are available through the Office of Experiential Learning and Education Abroad.
Option 1:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following sequences: | ||
| FREN 1110 & FREN 1120 | French I and French II | 8 |
| GRMN 1110 & GRMN 1120 | German I and German II | 8 |
| JAPN 1110 & JAPN 1120 | Japanese I and Japanese II | 8 |
| SPAN 1110 & SPAN 1120 | Spanish I and Spanish II | 8 |
| PORT 1110 & PORT 1120 | Portuguese I and Portuguese II | 6 |
| For Heritage Speakers: | ||
| SPAN 1210 & SPAN 1220 | Elementary Spanish for Heritage Learners I and Spanish for Heritage Learners II | 3-6 |
| or SPAN 2210 | Spanish for Heritage Learners III | |
Option 2:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 6 additional upper-division Geography credits beyond the major requirements. | 6 | |
Option 3:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following sequence for American Sign Language (with a C- or better): | ||
| SIGN 1110 | American Sign Language I | 3 |
| SIGN 1120 | American Sign Language II | 3 |
Option 4:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge the 1120 level for the following courses: | ||
| FREN 1120 | French II | 4 |
| or GRMN 1120 | German II | |
| or JAPN 1120 | Japanese II | |
| or SPAN 1120 | Spanish II | |
OR | ||
| Challenge the 1120/1220/2210 level for the following courses: | ||
| PORT 1120 | Portuguese II | 3 |
| or SPAN 1220 | Spanish for Heritage Learners II | |
| or SPAN 2210 | Spanish for Heritage Learners III | |
Option 5:
Pass a three-credit, upper-division course (numbered 300 or above) taught in a second language by the department of Languages and Linguistics.
Option 6:
Obtain college certification of completion of three years of a second language at the high school level with a grade of C- or higher in the second-year level.
Option 7:
By obtaining certification of a working knowledge of a Native American language from the American Indian program director.
Option 8:
By obtaining, from the head of the Department of Languages and Linguistics, certification of a working knowledge of a second language if such language is not taught at NMSU.
Option 9:
In the case of a foreign student who is required to take the TOEFL exam admission, the dean will automatically waive the second language requirement.
A Suggested Plan of Study for Students
This roadmap assumes student placement in MATH 1220G College Algebra (or an alternative "Area II: Mathematics" course listed under the Requirements tab in the catalog) and in ENGL 1110G Composition I (or in an alternative "English Composition - Level I" course listed under the Requirements tab in the catalog) . The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in Mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change. A grade of "C-" or better is required for all courses taken for the major. Students may not take any of these courses S/U.
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 1110G | Physical Geography | 4 |
| GEOG 1120G or GEOG 1130G | World Regional Geography or Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 2130 | Map Analysis & Interpretation | 3 |
| ENGL 1110G or ENGL 1110H | Composition I or Composition I Honors | 4 |
| MATH 1220G | College Algebra or Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus or Introduction to Statistics or Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts Course 1 | 3 | |
| Area V: Humanities Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective Course(s) or FYEX 1112 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 29 | |
| Second Year | ||
| GEOG 381 | Cartography and GIS | 4 |
| GEOG 481 | Fundamentals of GIS | 4 |
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication or Professional and Technical Communication or Advanced Technical and Professional Communication or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 |
| COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking or Introduction to Communication Honors | 3 |
| MATH 1350G or MATH 2350G | Introduction to Statistics or Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Area III: Laboratory Science or Area IV: Social/Behavioral Science Course 1 | 3-4 | |
| Second Language 3 | 3-4 | |
| Second Language 3 | 3-4 | |
| Elective Courses(s) 2 | 6 | |
| Credits | 32-35 | |
| Third Year | ||
| GEOG 373 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 4 |
| GEOG 442 | Programming for GIS | 3 |
| Select one of the following Physical Geography courses | 3-4 | |
| Biogeography | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Weather & Climate: Earth's Dynamic Atmosphere | ||
| Landscape Ecology | ||
| Select one of the following Human Geography courses | 3 | |
| Challenges and Opportunities of Globalization | ||
| Culture, Nature, and the Environment | ||
| The City | ||
| Select one of the following Environmental Studies courses | 3 | |
| New Mexico and the American West (C- or better) | ||
| U.S. National Parks (C- or better) | ||
| Environment and Society of Latin America (C- or better) | ||
| Environment and Society of Europe (C- or better) | ||
| Planning a Sustainable World | ||
| Field Explorations in Geography (C- or better) | ||
| VWW- Viewing a Wider World Course 4 | 6 | |
| Elective Course(s) 2 | 9 | |
| Credits | 31-32 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| GEOG 473 | Advanced Remote Sensing (C- or better) | 4 |
| GEOG 485 | Spatial Analysis and Modeling | 3 |
| Select a Human Geography, Physical Geography, or Environmental Studies course 5 | 3-4 | |
| Elective Course - Upper Division 2 | 6 | |
Consider taking more of Physical Geography, Human Geography, and Environmental Studies courses 5 | ||
| Elective Course(s) 2 | 12 | |
| Credits | 28-29 | |
| Total Credits | 120-125 | |
- 1
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 2
Elective credits may vary depending on factors such as General Education course selection, second language requirements, prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount listed in the requirements is what’s needed to reach the total of 120 credits but may vary based on the specific degree. However, students may need to complete more or fewer credits on a case-by-case basis, so it’s important to discuss elective requirements with an advisor.
- 3
The Second Language requirement can be fulfilled using one of nine available options detailed under the Requirements tab in the catalog. The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies recommends Option 1 (language courses numbered 1110 and 1120) or Option 2 (two upper-division GEOG courses totaling 6-8 credits). Additionally, immersion courses abroad, available through Study Abroad, may substitute for courses in the Second Language sequence.
- 4
See the Viewing a Wider World (VWW) section of the catalog for a full list of courses. Geography students are required to complete two VWW courses, totaling 6 credits. One VWW course must be selected from outside the College of Arts and Sciences, and the other must be from outside the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. Students may substitute three credits earned through a Study Abroad Experience for one of the VWW course requirements.
- 5
Physical Geography course options: GEOG 351 Biogeography, GEOG 353 Geomorphology, GEOG 357 Weather & Climate: Earth's Dynamic Atmosphere, GEOG 452 Landscape Ecology
Human Geography course options: GEOG 361V Challenges and Opportunities of Globalization, GEOG 363V Culture, Nature, and the Environment, GEOG 365V The City
Environmental Studies course options: GEOG 325V New Mexico and the American West, GEOG 326 U.S. National Parks, GEOG 328V Environment and Society of Latin America, GEOG 331V Environment and Society of Europe, GEOG 435 Planning a Sustainable World, GEOG 455 Southwest Environments, GEOG 483 Field Explorations in Geography