Geography Major

Chair: Nathaniel Weston, Ph.D.
Program Director: Stephen Strader, Ph.D.
Office Location: Suite G61, Mendel Science Center
Telephone: 610-519-3336
Website

About

The Department of Geography and the Environment offers B.A. degrees in Geography and Environmental Studies, and a B.S. in Environmental Science. The department also offers a minor in Geography and supports the Sustainability Studies minor. The department’s overarching objective is to integrate the disciplines of geography and environmental science to seek an understanding of human and environmental patterns, the processes that produce those spatial patterns, and salient human and environmental problems that face modern society. The department has two teaching and five research labs; and the department has a full suite of state-of-the-art geospatial software and scientific research equipment.

PRIMARY MAJOR (122 credits)

Required Major Courses (37 credits)

The B.A. in Geography provides a well-rounded and useful education and marketable skills to students with interests in the spatial patterns of society and the environment. It focuses on the interactions of humans with the natural and physical environments of Earth from a special perspective. Towards this end, the program’s graduates will have a fundamental understanding of the human social dynamics and physical patterns and processes at the Earth’s surface, such as globalization, climatic variation and natural disasters within the context of places, landscapes, and regions. Graduates will also be trained in the use of geospatial technologies as tools in addressing many modern concerns. The program is founded on the principle that geographical knowledge of place, space, and scale can provide essential insights into contemporary social and environmental issues and variation in human cultures and behaviors, and promotes the idea that such insight is critical to managing the Earth at local, regional and global scales.

Program Notes:

  • A 1000-level GEV topics course may substitute for either GEV 1002 or GEV 1003. 
Course
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
37-40

Core Curriculum Requirements (38 credits)

Geography Majors meet the following core requirements in the major and therefore are omitted from the summary below: 

  • Social Science (6 cr)
Course
Title
Credits
Mathematics or Statistics (1 course)  +
3
Natural Science (2 courses with laboratory)  +
8
Literature and Writing Seminar (1 course)  +
3
History (1 course)   +
3
Fine Arts (1 course)  +
3
Upper-Level Theology (1 course)  +
3
Language Requirement (Proficiency)  +
Diversity Requirement (2 courses)  +
Sub-Total Credits
38

Free Elective Requirement (47 credits)

Students with a Geography primary major have forty-seven (47) required free elective credits. 

Degree Credit Summary

  • Major Credits: 37 credits
  • Core Credits: 38 credits
  • Free Electives Credits: 47 credits
  • Total Required Credits: 122 Credits

Note: The above credit totals are based on the minimum number of required credits in each degree area. The minimum number of required credits in each area listed above must be met. Credits taken beyond the required minimum for one area may not be applied to another area. 

SECONDARY MAJOR

Students who declare Geography as a secondary major must complete the Required Major Courses to achieve this major. Students are able to count any eligible course taken in their primary major, the core curriculum, minors, concentrations, or free electives toward these requirements. 

Total Credits:
37

 

Disclaimer:
The above program requirements are applicable to students entering Fall 2023 and beyond. Please consult the appropriate archived handbook available on the homepage for years prior to these requirements. In order that programs offered by Villanova University reflect current advances and additions to knowledge and upgraded professional requirements, Villanova University reserves the right to change programs and requirements without prior notice. Students generally are bound to the requirements in effect and published online for the year in which their class begins its first year of study. Special requirements may be in effect for students who have left the University and are being readmitted. Students are advised to check with the web catalog or with their college offices regarding changes that may affect them. Additional academic information may be obtained from the various college offices and the web sites listed for the particular policies, programs and services found in this catalog. 

Overview

Program

Type

Bachelor of Arts

Curriculum Guide

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