Department of Geography
Bachelor of Science in Geography
Students on Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 requirements GEOGBS
Requirements
The major requires at least 32 credit hours (47 with the Addenda requirements), including the requirements listed below.
- Environment and Society. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 208 Environment and Society
GEOG-G 208 Environment and Society
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Just as we shape the environment, the environment shapes us. From globalization to food production to climate change, learn how humans and environments interact.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SLcourse
- Geographic Methods.
- Geographic Methods core. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 237 Mapping our World: From Mercator to Mashups
- GEOG-G 338 Geographic Information Systems
GEOG-G 237 Mapping our World: From Mercator to Mashups
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Mapping lets us visualize our world and see how patterns change across places. For example, we can analyze how a bike-share program changes commuting patterns, or how urban farming emerges in a transforming city. Students learn how to develop digital maps and interpret spatial processes while gaining valuable experience with GIS software.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 338 Geographic Information Systems
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Overview of the principles and practices of geographic information systems (GIS). The course will deal with issues of spatial data models, database design, introductory and intermediate GIS operations, and case studies of real-world GIS applications. Laboratory exercises will provide significant hands-on experience. Lecture and laboratory.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Computing in the Geospatial Sciences. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 250 Computing in the Geospatial Sciences
GEOG-G 250 Computing in the Geospatial Sciences
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- A first course in scientific computing that emphasizes practical applications in the geospatial and environmental sciences. Requires high-level programming using MATLAB for visualization, data analysis, and modeling. Teaches problem solving through analysis and interpretation of a wide range of environmental and geographic data.
- Applied Spatial Statistics. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 488 Applied Spatial Statistics
GEOG-G 488 Applied Spatial Statistics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- 6 credit hours of geography or consent of instructor
- Description
- Extension of traditional statistical analysis to spatial data. Spatial means and spatial variances, the examination of differences in samples over space, spatial autocorrelation, nearest neighbor analysis, map comparison techniques. Emphasis is on practical applications.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Geographic Methods core. One (1) course:
- Job and Internship Search. One (1) course:
- ASCS-Q 296 College to Career II: Navigate Your Arts and Sciences Experience
ASCS-Q 296 College to Career II: Navigate Your Arts and Sciences Experience
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- At least sophomore standing
- Description
- Explores the relationship between academic and extracurricular choices and life after graduation. Students assess their skills, develop a portfolio to highlight them, and create a plan to address gaps. Focuses on a paradigm of job searching that emphasizes research and highly customized, focused application materials.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of the following: ASCS-Q 296, BUS-T 275, or SPEA-V 252.
- Grading
- S/F grading.
- Capstone. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 498 Capstone in Geography
- GEOG-G 499 Honors Research in Geography
GEOG-G 498 Capstone in Geography
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- Geography major; and senior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- In this capstone course, majors will put their Geography training to work in a collaborative, practically-oriented research project supervised by a faculty member.
GEOG-G 499 Honors Research in Geography
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- GEOG-G 450, at least 18 credit hours in geography, a minimum 3.500 GPA in geography with a minimum 3.300 GPA overall, and consent of honors advisor
- Description
- Training in research and scholarly writing, culminating in an honors thesis to be written under the direction of a faculty member. An oral examination of the thesis is conducted by two faculty members.
- Concentration. Comprehensive or Concentration option.
- Comprehensive Option. 15 additional credit hours in Geography courses.
- Concentration Option. One (1) of the Geography concentrations listed below.
- 400–499 Level Geography Courses. Six (6) credit hours:
- Any GEOG-G 400–499
- Electives. Additional Geography courses, as needed, to complete remaining requirements.
- Addenda Requirements*.
- Calculus. Choose one (1) of the following options:
- Brief Survey Option. Two (2) courses:
- Brief Survey of Calculus I. One (1) course:
- MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I
MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- R: To be successful, students will demonstrate mastery of two years of high school algebra, one year of high school geometry, and pre-calculus as indicated by an appropriate ALEKS score or completion of MATH-M 025 or MATH-M 027
- Description
- Introduction to calculus. Primarily for students from business and the social sciences.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MATH-J 113, MATH-M 119, MATH-V 119, MATH-M 211, or MATH-S 211.
- Fall 2024CASE MMcourse
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Brief Survey of Calculus II. One (1) course:
- MATH-M 120 Brief Survey of Calculus II
MATH-M 120 Brief Survey of Calculus II
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MATH-M 119 or MATH-V 119
- Description
- A continuation of MATH-M 119 covering topics in elementary differential equations, calculus of functions of several variables and infinite series. Intended for non-physical science students.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MATH-M 120 or MATH-M 212.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Brief Survey of Calculus I. One (1) course:
- Regular Option. Two (2) courses:
- Calculus I. One (1) course:
- MATH-M 211 Calculus I
MATH-M 211 Calculus I
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- R: To be successful, students will demonstrate mastery of two years of high school algebra, one year of high school geometry, and pre-calculus, and trigonometry as indicated by an appropriate ALEKS score or completion of MATH-M 027
- Description
- Limits, continuity, derivatives, definite and indefinite integrals, applications.
- Repeatability
- A student may receive credit for only one of the following: MATH-J 113, MATH-M 119, MATH-V 119, MATH-M 211, or MATH-S 211.
- Fall 2024CASE MMcourse
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Calculus II. One (1) course:
- MATH-M 212 Calculus II
MATH-M 212 Calculus II
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- MATH-M 211 or MATH-S 211; or consent of department
- Description
- Techniques of integration (by parts, trigonometric substitutions, partial fractions), improper integrals, volume, work, arc length, surface area, infinite series.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MATH-M 120 or MATH-M 212.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Calculus I. One (1) course:
- Brief Survey Option. Two (2) courses:
- Science/Quantitative Methods. Choose one (1) of the following options:
- Biology option. At least nine (9) credit hours in BIOL courses, including the following:
- BIOL-L 111 Foundations of Biology: Diversity, Evolution, and Ecology
- BIOL-L 473 Ecology
BIOL-L 111 Foundations of Biology: Diversity, Evolution, and Ecology
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- For biology and other science majors. Preference will be given to freshmen and sophomores
- Description
- Focus is on the processes of evolution leading to organismal diversity and adaptation, as well as basic ecological concepts.
- Repeatability
- Credit not given for both BIOL-E 111 and BIOL-L 111.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
BIOL-L 473 Ecology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 111
- Notes
- R: BIOL-L 318
- Description
- Major concepts of ecology for science majors; relation of individual organisms to their environment, population ecology, structure and function of ecosystems.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 473 and BIOL-L 479.
- Chemistry option. Nine (9) credit hours in CHEM courses with at least one (1) course at the 300–499 level and including the following:
- CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- (CHEM-C 101 and CHEM-C 121) or CHEM-C 103 or (chemistry placement examinations and consent of the department)
- Description
- Lecture course covering basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry, basic mathematical and conceptual principles in atomic structure and periodic properties, molecular structure, chemical bonding, energy (thermochemistry), kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of the following: CHEM-C 105, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, or CHEM-S 117.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Computer Science option. Nine (9) credit hours in CSCI courses, including at least one (1) course at the 300–499 level.
- Economics option. Nine (9) credit hours in ECON courses, including at least one (1) course at the 300–499 level.
- Statistics option. Nine (9) credit hours in STAT courses, including at least one (1) course at the 300–499 level.
- Biology option. At least nine (9) credit hours in BIOL courses, including the following:
- Calculus. Choose one (1) of the following options:
- Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Major GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Major Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
- Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
Notes
Major Area Courses
-
Courses that may apply toward the Credit Hours and GPA requirements in this academic program include all courses listed on the requirement course lists at the time the course was taken as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent.
Restrictions
The following restrictions apply to the minimum credit hours required in the major:
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours:
- GEOG-X 274 Sophomore Laboratory in Geography
- GEOG-X 374 Junior Lab in Geography
- GEOG-X 473 Internship in Geographical Analysis
- GEOG-X 474 Senior Lab in Geography
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours:
- GEOG-X 490 Undergraduate Readings and Research in Geography
GEOG-X 274 Sophomore Laboratory in Geography
- Credits
- 1–6 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of instructor
- Description
- Faculty-directed study of geographical problems based on an internship experience. Student's area of placement must be related to major field of study and may involve staff work or research.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in GEOG-X 274, GEOG-X 374, GEOG-X 473 and GEOG-X 474.
GEOG-X 374 Junior Lab in Geography
- Credits
- 1–6 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of instructor
- Description
- Faculty-directed study of geographical problems based on an internship experience. Student's area of placement must be related to major field of study and may involve staff work or research.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in GEOG-X 274, GEOG-X 374, GEOG-X 473 and GEOG-X 474.
GEOG-X 473 Internship in Geographical Analysis
- Credits
- 1–6 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of instructor
- Notes
- Maximum of 3 credit hours will count toward major
- Description
- Supervised field experience in geography, normally in conjunction with approved work at a government agency or private firm. Requires 45 hours of work per 1 credit hour.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in GEOG-X 274, GEOG-X 374, GEOG-X 473 and GEOG-X 474.
- Grading
- S/F grading.
GEOG-X 474 Senior Lab in Geography
- Credits
- 1–6 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of Instructor
- Description
- Faculty-directed study of geographical problems based on an internship experience. Student's area of placement must be related to major field of study and may involve staff work or research.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in GEOG-X 274, GEOG-X 374, GEOG-X 473 and GEOG-X 474.
GEOG-X 490 Undergraduate Readings and Research in Geography
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of instructor
- Description
- Individual readings and research in geography.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in GEOG-G 450 and GEOG-X 490.
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Bachelor of Arts in Geography (GEOGBA)
- Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (GISRSACRT)
- Minor in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (GISRSMIN)
- Minor in Geography (GEOGMIN)
Exceptions to and substitutions for major requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Bachelor of Science degree requires at least 120 credit hours, to include the following:
- College of Arts and Sciences Credit Hours. At least 100 credit hours must come from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines.
- Upper Division Courses. At least 36 credit hours (of the 120) must be at the 300–499 level.
- College Residency. Following completion of the 60th credit hour toward degree, at least 36 credit hours of College of Arts and Sciences coursework must be completed through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
- College GPA. A College grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 is required.
- CASE Requirements. The following College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE) requirements must be completed:
- CASE Foundations
- CASE Breadth of Inquiry
- CASE Culture Studies
- Diversity in the United States: 1 course
- Global Civilizations and Cultures: Not required
- CASE Critical Approaches: 1 course
- CASE Foreign Language: Proficiency in a single foreign language through the first semester of the second year of college-level coursework
- CASE Intensive Writing: 1 course
- CASE Public Oral Communication: 1 course
- CASE Sustainability Literacy: 1 course
- Major. Completion of the major as outlined in the Major Requirements section above.
Most students must also successfully complete the Indiana University Bloomington General Education program.