Woman pointing at a map

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Minor 

Geography

Geography graduates are prepared for jobs in areas that require analytic and geospatial technology skills or for graduate studies that focus more narrowly on one or more geographic sub-disciplines.  

Geography is a broad, integrative discipline that bridges the physical and social sciences to study the interactions that take place between people, culture, society, natural environments and places across the globe.

Geography provides essential insights about these interactions to the private and public sectors, as well as the academic community.

Quality classroom experiences

The geography program is designed around the department’s focus on the spatial analysis of regional change and development. Within this focus, the primary emphasis is on applied human geographic dimensions of resources, land use, population, and socio-economic analysis.

Example courses include Latin America Landscapes. This course introduces students to the physical and human landscapes of Latin America. We utilize a regional as well as a systematic approach to the study of the geography of Latin America. Topics covered include physical geography/environment; ancient cultures; colonization and its impacts; demographic characteristics; globalization; political considerations and urbanization.

The BGSU geography course, Spatial Business Analytics, demonstrates another potential career path for a geography major. The geographical study of marketing emphasizes the spatial nature of commerce. Its primary focus is on geodemographic analysis, location analysis, location of retailing, and Geographic Information System (GIS) business applications.

The BGSU chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international geographical honor society, was founded in 1948 and is one of the oldest chapters in the United States.

Career - what can you do with a geography degree?

The reliance on geography and geographic analysis is growing and will continue to expand in the future. Students who major in geography are encouraged to participate in an internship to apply what they learn in the classroom to practical job situations.

Geographers are employed throughout business, industry, government and educational institutions. Using technologies like remote sensing using drones, GIS, and satellite imagery analysis, geographers answer questions about the nature of oil spills, crop production or water quality, or other societal concerns. 

Career paths

  • City Planning
  • Economic Development
  • Emergency Preparedness & Response
  • Environmental Conservation
  • Government
  • Insurance
  • Military Intelligence
  • Public Health
  • Telecommunications

Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

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The BGSU Geography Club

The BGSU Geography Club is a community of geography enthusiasts who work to introduce and promote the knowledge of geographical issues on the BGSU campus. The club welcomes the participation of students, faculty, and alumni from any major or minor.

Examples of past club activities include a trip to help clean up tornado damage in the Oak Openings region of northwest Ohio, participation in a Severe Weather Symposium, holiday and pizza parties, and various community service activities.

Curriculum

Geography faculty train our students to comprehend and associate concepts, collect and understand various sources of data, and use tools and techniques to analyze and display spatial information.

The degree program is designed around the department’s focus on spatial analysis of human interactions with the social, cultural and natural environments. The ability to identify and articulate spatial relationships with the use of geospatial techniques is strongly emphasized and integrated into the curriculum.

Spatial analysis techniques of computer mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing are also emphasized and integrated. All geography majors are advised to take a course in statistics as well.

Required courses

geography A62T9211

Sample courses

  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Statistics & Research Methods
  • Earth Environments
  • Global Economy
  • Population Geography
  • Geospatial Science
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Human Dimensions of Climate Change

BGSU College of Arts and Sciences

The Geography program is part of the School of Earth, Environment and Society in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.   

Updated: 03/18/2024 02:21PM