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Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts in Geography

The B.A. in Geography emphasizes the University of Alaska's unique geographic setting and utilizes the Department's academic expertise and research interests in the Circumpolar North and Pacific Rim. No other geography program in the nation can match the natural laboratory that is Alaska; nor can other institutions make available to students rich geographic perspectives that investigate the Circumpolar North and its interrelationship with the Pacific Rim. This program takes advantage of the depth and breadth of Northern expertise found throughout the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, UAF, and UA.

The B.A. in Geography is built upon a defined set of "foundation" courses that provide students with academic training in the fundamental components of the discipline including: geography, global geographic perspectives, physical geography of the earth, geographic information sciences and technology, human geography, and the synthesis of these core tenets through a "capstone" experience. Students, in consultation with their faculty advisors, shall select courses that reflect a regional emphasis in the Circumpolar North or the Pacific Rim, or may choose to combine courses from both areas to gain a broader geographic perspective and explore the unique interrelationships between the two regions. B.A. students are encouraged to complete discipline-specific minors (see #5, below), to take advantage of the considerable topical and regional expertise found throughout the UAF community and also to underscore the important role other disciplines play within the field of Geography.

Bachelor of Science in Geography
(Option 1 - Environmental Studies)

This option was the original B.S. in Geography with a strong emphasis on environmental issues, wilderness concepts, and management. This option provides the foundation necessary for understanding the natural and social environment, the analysis of environmental issues from an interdisciplinary geographic perspective, a diverse technical and scientific approach to environmental issues, and the ability to find balanced solutions to environmental problems. Students will be prepared to enter jobs or graduate study in management, wilderness management, and to work on diverse environmental projects and problems.

Bachelor of Science in Geography
(Option 2 - Landscape Analysis and Climate Change Studies)

This program of study in Physical Geography integrates and synthesizes courses in geography, climate change, physical and biological sciences, and geographic information sciences and technology. The theme of climate and environmental change and the underlying ‘pattern and process paradigm’ will serve as the threads that unify this diverse course load. Senior Field Practicum will enable students to apply what they have learned in “real world” settings. Students will gain a sound and interdisciplinary understanding of how environmental change influences landscape and humans on both spatial (latitude, altitude) and temporal (past, future) scales.

Courses in Option II are presented in 4 main categories:

1) Geography Foundation
2) Processes (geomorphology, ecology, climate and weather)
3) Patterns (field methods, mapping, remote sensing, statistics, GIS, computer modeling)
4) Practicum (semester long field study of particular problem –with ‘real world’ application

The “Processes” and “Patterns” components include specific courses offered in various departments, but both components will include a least one “synthesizing” geography course enabling students to integrate and apply (in the interdisciplinary context of Geography) what they learned in disciplinary subjects. The entire curriculum will be integrated through a field practicum required in the senior year.

Bachelor of Science in Geography
(Option 3 - Geographic Information Science and Technology)

This program of study emphasizes skills and practice in geographic information science, systems, technology, and analytical aspects of geography. Courses in statistics, computer programming, GIS and GPS, Remote Sensing are integrated with the geography core curriculum and courses in natural sciences.

Courses are presented in 5 main categories:
1)   Geography Foundation
2) Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T) Breadth
3) Remote Sensing
4) Geographic Information Systems
5) Landscape Analysis