Geography - Urban Planning and Sustainability Minor
Minor code OR4242
Faculty Contact: Dr. Harold Perkins
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 Geography Department offers eight majors that help students tailor their focus of study.
The urban planning and sustainability minor will provide students with a basic understanding of urban environments and how communities can support the three main components of sustainability: environmental quality, economic development, and social equity. The minor is open to all undergraduates except those majoring in Geography.
Careers and Graduate School
This minor will provide students with additional training that will enhance core training within their specific disciplines. This additional training prepares them for a variety of jobs ranging from public policy and management to corporate responsibility.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change to Program Policy: Available to students who are not majoring in Geography.
External Transfer Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Minor Requirements
Minor Hours Requirement
The geography minor requires a minimum of 18 hours.
Foundation Course
Complete the following course:
- GEOG 2500 - Planning and the City Credit Hours: 3
Core Requirements
Complete three of the following courses:
- GEOG 3260 - Urban Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3500 - Land Use Planning Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4520 - Environmental and Sustainability Planning Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4560 - The Just and Sustainable City Credit Hours: 3
Electives
Complete two of the following courses:
(Note: Courses used to complete core requirements cannot also be used as electives.)
- GEOG 2680 - Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 3210 - Population Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3250 - Political Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3260 - Urban Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3270 - Social Geographies Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3290 - World Economic Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3500 - Land Use Planning Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3580 - Environmental Hazards Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3600 - Cartography I Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4170 - Landscape Ecology Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4520 - Environmental and Sustainability Planning Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4550 - History of Planning Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4560 - The Just and Sustainable City Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4730 - Principles of GIS Credit Hours: 4