University General Course Catalog 2025-2026 
    
    Dec 06, 2025  
University General Course Catalog 2025-2026

Geography, B.S.


The department offers a Bachelor of Science with a major in Geography. The Bachelor of Science emphasizes physical geography, alongside human-environment interactions, and the use of geotechnologies (GIS, remote sensing, and cartography). A degree in geography trains students to apply transdisciplinary knowledge and innovative methods from both the social and physical sciences to address the world’s most pressing issues. Our specialties include climatology and climate change, water resources, social and cultural geography, sustainability, and environmental justice. B.S. students develop additional mathematics and statistics skills. Students are encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisor every semester.

Program 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).  (C)
  • develop proficiency in a range of analytical skills (memorizing, analyzing, synthesizing, judgment, applications). (CT)
  • build substantive disciplinary knowledge (spatial analysis, perception and geography; regional understandings; cultural interpretations of place and landscape; physical geographic analysis; human-environment interactions). (QR)
  • 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

Email: geography@unr.edu

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon 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

I. Core General Education Requirements (25-33 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 (6-8 units) - CO4, CO4L


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


The recommended course(s) can also be used to meet a Major Requirement:

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


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

F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


II. Additional Core Requirements (12 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 GEOG courses satisfy CO9:

B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


Complete one course. The following GEOG courses satisfy CO10:

C. Global Context - CO11


Complete one course. The following GEOG courses satisfy CO11:

D. Ethics - CO12


Complete one course. The following GEOG courses satisfy CO12:

E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


Complete one course. The following GEOG courses satisfy CO13:

F. Application - CO14


The following course satisfies CO14 and Major Requirements:

III. Additional Requirements (0 units)


IV. Major Requirements (45-47 units)


A. Geography Introductory Requirements (12 units)


B. Geography Breadth Requirements (12-13 units)


Students must complete one course from the four breadth requirements. Any additional course enrollments may count as upper division electives.

ii. Individuals and Society (3 units)


Complete one (minimum/maximum) course:

iv. Tools and Techniques (3-4 units)


Complete one (min./max.) course: (Note: these courses also count towards the GIS Certificate)

C. Geography Upper-Division Electives (15 units)


GEOG upper division courses except those already used to meet a requirement above may be considered electives. It is recommended that students consult with an undergraduate advisor in selecting courses.

D. Geography Quantitative Requirement (6-7 units)


GEOG BS quantitative reasoning:

V. Electives (27-47 units)


VI. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


 

Fall Semester (15 units)


 

Spring Semester (15 units)


B. Second Year


 

Spring Semester (15 units)


 

C. Third Year


 

Fall Semester (15 units)


 

Spring Semester (15 units)


 

D. Fourth Year


 

Fall Semester (15 units)


  • Geography Breadth Requirement (Sustainability OR Tools & Techniques recommended) (3 units)
  • Geography Upper-Division Elective (3 units)
  • General Elective (9 units)

Spring Semester (15 units)


  • Geography Upper-Division Elective (3 units)
  • General Elective (12 units)