University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Geography (Environmental Policy and Management Specialization), B.A.


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The Geography Department offers a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in Environmental Policy and Management (EPM). The EPM specialization emphasizes proficiency in analytical and evaluative skills in relation to environmental management. Decision-making regarding future use of renewable and non-renewable resources requires an interdisciplinary approach that engages with the physical, economic, and political processes that govern human interactions with the natural world. The EPM specialization provides students with an understanding of sustainable development and natural hazards and the research methods and policy tools used to understand and allocate the use of natural resources. Students will develop skills in research methods, critical thinking, spatial reasoning, visual design, and oral and written communications. This specialization will strengthen job prospects by emphasizing analytical and evaluative skills that are necessary for employment in a variety of environmental management forums. EPM specialization is recommended for students interested in employment as Natural Resource Specialists, Water Managers, Emergency Management, Public Works Planners, or graduate study in Geography or related disciplines. Students are encouraged to meet with their assigned departmental advisor every semester. Minimum of 21 units are required to fulfill the EPM Specialization. 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 (25-29 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 description.

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


B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units) - CO2


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2  courses.

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 - CO9


Complete one course. The following recommended courses can also be used in the Geography Electives:

B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


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

C. Global Context - CO11


D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


Complete one course. The following recommended courses can also be used in the Geography Electives:

F. Application - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0-14 units)


Units may vary depending on initial course placement in foreign language coursework.

A. Foreign Language (0-14 units)


Successful completion of the foreign language requirement may be accomplished through one of four options:

  1. complete a fourth semester college course in a foreign language or in American Sign Language;
  2. demonstrate proficiency through placement examination or other means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, including minimum CBAPE, SAT II, or IB scores
  3. show transcript evidence of successful completion of four years of high school coursework in the same foreign language; or
  4. participate in a Studies Abroad program pre-approved by the college to meet the foreign language requirement.

IV. Major Requirements (42 units)


A. Geography Core (15 units)


B. Environmental Policy and Management Specialization (21 units)


V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)


VI. Electives (5-26 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


Fall Semester (16 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


B. Second Year


Fall Semester (14 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


  • EPM Specialization Elective (6 units)
  • Minor (3 units)
  • General Elective (6 units)

Spring Semester (15 units)


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