Overview
Students who graduate with a BA in Geography and Sustainable Development are trained in methods of geographic inquiry and work to propose solutions that advance sustainable development worldwide.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| MTH 108 | Precalculus Mathematics II | 3 |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People & Society Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| STEM Cognate | 9 | |
| Degree Requirements | ||
| Language Requirement | 3 | |
| Minor Requiremnt | 15 | |
| Writing Requirement 1 | 12 | |
| Study Abroad (optional) | 15 | |
| Major Requirements 2,3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Introduction to Human Geography | ||
| Required: | ||
| GEG 120 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEG 306 | Geographic Research Methods | 3 |
| GEG 331 | Sustainable Development | 3 |
| GEG 501 | Capstone Research Seminar | 3 |
| GEG Electives 4 | 15 | |
| Additional electives required for graduation | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
To satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences writing requirement in the discipline, students majoring in Geography and Sustainable Development must take at least one writing eligible course in Geography. GEG 501 satisfies this requirement for most students.
- 2
Students must complete at least 30 credit hours in Geography and Sustainable Development with a grade of C- or higher.
- 3
The overall GPA in courses counted toward the major must be 2.00 or higher.
- 4
The major requires 15 credits of electives, at least 9 of which must be at the 300 level or above, exclusive of GEG 501.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| MTH 113 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| UMX 100 | The University of Miami Experience | 0 |
| GEG 110 | Introduction to Human Geography | 3 |
| GEG 120 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| Language Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| WRS 106 or ENG 106 | First-Year Writing II or Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| GEG 310 | Geographic Information Systems I | 3 |
| Language Course | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEG 331 | Sustainable Development | 3 |
| Language Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEG 241 | Health and Medical Geography | 3 |
| GEG 306 | Geographic Research Methods | 3 |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| 300 Level GEG Elective | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| 300 Level GEG Elective | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEG 501 | Capstone Research Seminar | 3 |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| General or GEG Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Mission
The mission of the Department of Geography and Sustainable Development (GEG) is to transform lives through education, research and innovation, and service. Through education, we transform the lives of our students, helping them to become professionals and global citizens with outstanding analytical and communication skills, creative abilities, and a sense of civic responsibility needed in an increasingly complex society. Through research and innovation, we advance the frontiers of geographic knowledge while pursuing solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges. Finally, through service, we support organizations and agencies (from local to global) that adopt principles of sustainable development as a way to ensure long-term human prosperity without undermining the integrity and stability of natural and social systems.
Goals
The BA in Geography and Sustainable Development program aims to graduate students who use methods of geographic inquiry to propose solutions that advance sustainable development worldwide. Compared to the BS in Geography and Sustainable Development, the BA is more flexible, does not require comprehensive knowledge of geospatial technologies, and allows students to pursue other areas of focus within Geography and Sustainable Development. The BA prepares students for positions in government, business, urban and regional planning, research, and teaching. We offer courses that provide students with marketable skills for today's job market, in areas such as medical geography, sustainable cities, sustainable development, and sustainable food. During their studies, our students develop global citizenship, which prepares them to examine and find solutions for global problems by using different analytical lenses and methods, as well as develop skills to work effectively in multi-cultural environments and collaborative settings.
Student Learning Outcomes
Foundational Knowledge (SLO1): Students will describe the most fundamental concepts and theories in geography and sustainable development, including the spatial patterns and processes of human and physical phenomena, the interactions between people and nature, and the challenges to conciliate human prosperity and environmental conservation worldwide.
Scientific Inquiry and Communication Skills (SLO2): Students will apply various theoretical and methodological approaches in geography and be able to develop research questions, critically analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to answer those questions, and effectively communicate their findings in oral and written formats.
Knowledge Translation Skills (SLO3): Students will synthesize geographic knowledge and develop collaborative solutions to problems in sustainable development within the local community, region, and world by demonstrating strong ethical behavior and high levels of responsibility and integrity.
