Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the environment.* It is inherently interdisciplinary and international, and has been revolutionized recently by new technologies such as geographic information systems, global positioning systems and remote sensing.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Bachelor of Arts in Geography program is to provide students a rigorous education in the fundamental theories, concepts, quantitative tools and analytical research methodologies central to the field of geography. The program fosters an understanding of the local and global ways in which humans evaluate spatially distributed phenomena, organize their activities in space, and use and manage the earth’s resources and environments.  So equipped, UT-Dallas geography graduates will effectively participate as global citizens, successfully compete for professional jobs  requiring  strong analytical geographic skills and an integrative spatial perspective, and be admitted to the best graduate schools globally.

Curriculum

UTD offers three degree options to its geography majors: a general B.A. degree, a B.A. with certification in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technologies, and a B.A. with a concentration in Regional Development and International Studies.

Those who elect the general B.A. degree are provided an educational experience to allow them to put their degrees, backgrounds, and experience to use in a wide variety of post-graduate educational and occupational positions, including:

• Graduate School in Geography (or a related social, policy or environmental science discipline, including UTD's own graduate programs in Geospatial Information Science, Political Economy and Pulic Policy, and Public Affairs)
• Urban, Environmental or Transportation Planning
• The travel industry
• Public Policy or Management
• Marketing, Real Estate or Locational Analysis
• Employment in federal, state and local government agencies

Those who elect the option for Certification in Geographic Information Systems have added opportunities as GIS analysts in many of these same areas as well as other areas such as natural resource exploration, cartography, crime analysis, and geospatial intelligence. This specialization area requires admission into the Fast Track Program. This provides students the opportunity to earn fifteen hours of graduate credit which can be applied both to their undergraduate degree and also to the Master of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences.

The concentration in regional development and international studies is interdisciplinary and serves a group of students who cross the disciplines of geography, political science, economics, sociology, and the humanities. Graduates with a specialization in this area will possess the skills that are necessary to meet the needs and demands of the international diplomatic and business sectors, and be prepared to identify and develop solutions to current problems in public and international affairs, including regional development.

Advising

Students interested in exploring opportunities in geography are urged to meet with Ms. Nora Hernandez, undergraduate adviser for geography  or with Dr. Denis Dean, Director, Programs in Geography and Geospatial Sciences. Go here for general information on advising in School of Economic Political and Policy Sciences.

*source:  Association of American Geographers