Dec 10, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22 [Archived Catalog]

Geography—Geographic Information Science Major (B.S.)


Major code BS4235

College of Arts and Sciences  
Geography Department  
Clippinger Laboratories 122
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1140
Fax: 740.593.1138
http://www.ohio.edu/geography

Dorothy Sack, Chair
sack@ohio.edu
Harold Perkins, Advising Coordinator
perkinsh@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Geographers are interested in the spatial patterns observed on earth. Bridging the natural and social sciences, Geography is the interdisciplinary study of environments and how people interact with the environment. It is important to study geography because many of the world’s problems require understanding the interdependence between human activities and the environment. Geography is therefore a beneficial major for students because its theories and methods provide them with analytical skills relevant to occupations focused on solving social and environmental problems. The Department of Geography offers eight majors that help students tailor their focus of study. 

The Geography - Geographic Information Science (GIScience) major provides students a strong technical background in quantitative geographic analysis, geographic information systems, and related mapping technologies.  Whether pursuing a career or graduate studies, students completing the major will be proficient with GIS, remote sensing, and cartographic theory and software-based applications.  

Our department is committed to excellence in both teaching and advising. Several of our faculty members have received teaching awards, and we are known across campus for the quality of our advising. As a geography major, you will meet one-on-one with your faculty advisor every semester during advising week, and you are always welcome to talk with your advisor at any time throughout the semester whenever questions may arise. In addition to advising our students about their academic programs, we provide timely information about internships, nationally competitive awards, and other opportunities as they arise. Many of our students complete internships and several of our students over the last few years have received nationally competitive awards.

For more information about our program, please view this video, visit our website, or contact our Undergraduate Chair, whose information is listed above.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Career opportunities for students with a degree in Geographic Information Science (GIS) are abundant in both the private sector and with government agencies. Career tracks include, but are not limited to, the following: geospatial data technician, geospatial database manager/administrator, cartographer, remote sensing imagery analyst, GIS analyst, software designer, GIS educator, and project manager.

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake, OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.

Requirements

Universitywide Graduation Requirements


To complete this program, students must meet all Universitywide graduation requirements .

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement


View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .

Geography - Geographic Information Science Major (B.S.)


The major requirements for the B.S. degree in Geography - Geographic Information Science is a minimum of 45 hours of geography.

Geography Foundations


Complete the following geography foundation courses with at least the minimum grade indicated for each course. Ideally GEOG 2680 and 2710 should be taken before your junior year.

Geography Regional Course


Complete one regional course from the following:

Program Requirements


Core Courses


Complete the following three required courses:

Applied and Topical Courses


Complete 2 courses at the 3000/4000 level for at least 6 hours, excluding courses listed as foundation courses, regional courses, core courses, or core electives, as well as non-lecture courses that serve to provide credit for internships, independent study, honors thesis, and honors tutorials.

Recommended Courses


The following courses are highly recommended and students are encouraged to take some of them to satisfy the University General Education Requirements and the College of Arts and Sciences Requirements.