University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Geography (Climate, Water, and Ecosystems Specialization), B.S.


The Geography Department offers a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Climate, Water, and Ecosystems. The Climate, Water and Ecosystems specialization provides students with an understanding of the climate and climate change, ecological processes, water management, the interactions between water, climate and life, human impacts on these systems, and their influence on society. Additional skills developed include: critical thinking and reasoning, research techniques, oral and written communications, and mathematics and statistics. Students obtaining the Climate, Water, and Ecosystems emphasis will understand the climate system, the environment and human activities. This emphasis is recommended for students interested in employment in environmental consulting firms, planning agencies, numerous government agencies (e.g. EPA, USGS, NRCS) and non-governmental organizations. All students are required to have a minor.

Student Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • develop professional skills that will promote career development (writing; verbal presentation; visual communication; library and archival research; field work; computing; quantitative analysis; qualitative analysis; accountability, efficiency, precision and accuracy).
  • attain proficiency in a range of analytical skills (memorizing, analyzing, synthesizing, judgment, applications).
  • increase understanding of substantive disciplinary knowledge (spatial analysis, perception and geography; regional understandings; cultural interpretations of place and landscape; physical geographic analysis; human-environment interactions).
  • capitalize on learning experiences through well-designed departmental curriculum, strong academic advising, access to relevant departmental faculty, and opportunities for specialized training and experience.

Contact Information


Mackay Science 201
(775) 784-6995

Mackay School Advisor: Jennifer O’Neil joneil@unr.edu

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking  at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units
  • Half Program Units/4 Year Institution | 60 Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (26-33 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (4-7 units) - CO2


C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (7-8 units) - CO4, CO4L


D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7 courses .

II. Additional Core Requirements (9 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV). Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society Course - CO9


The following recommended courses can also be used in the Geography Electives:

B. Diversity & Equity Course - CO10


The following recommended course can also be used in the Geography Electives:

C. Global Context Course - CO11


The following courses count in the Major Requirement:

D. Ethics Course - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis Course - CO13


The following recommended courses can also be used in the Geography Electives:

F. Application Course - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)


IV. Major Requirements (48 units)


A. Geography Core (15 units)


B. Additional BS Geography Core Requirement (6 units)


C. Climate, Water and Ecosystems Specialization (18-19 units)


D. Geography Upper Division Electives (8-9 units)


It is recommended that students consult with a undergraduate adviser in selecting Geography courses related to their chosen areas of interest. Student must choose from upper division courses, 300 level and above within the Geography program.

V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)


VI. Electives (9-19 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


B. Second Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


  • (3 units)
  • Specialization Elective (3 units)
  • Geography Elective (3 units)
  • Minor (3 units)
  • Diversity & Equity (3 units) CO10

Spring Semester (15 units)