Geography, BA

Students in the geography program will acquire a better understanding of how natural and human environments become organized geographically by institutional decisions and the consequences of human actions. Geography students study a number of contemporary problems, such as: physical resource development, urban spatial management, racial/ethnic patterns, urban decay, business geography and pollution, and more. Geography stresses strategies for solving not only locational but also human environmental problems. Mapping, Global Positioning Systems and Geographic Information Systems are important tools that geographers learn to apply to solve problems.

The department offers a number of curricular options that permit a general education or the choice of a more specialized focus, as outlined below in the Major Requirements section. All options provide preparation for graduate work and/or for careers in public and private agencies. Courses emphasize problem-solving approaches in both a theoretical and applied manner. Double majors are encouraged, and special programs may be designed on request.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

The major consists of 10 courses (40 credit hours). At least six of the 10 courses (24 credits) must be taken at the 300-level or above. Credits are granted for equivalent courses.

A. Track 1: General Geography Course Requirements:

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the major:

B. Track 2: Computer Applications in Human-Environmental Analysis (GIS) Course Requirements:

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the major:

C. Track 3: Environmental and Resource Management Course Requirements:

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the major:

D. Track 4: Urban and Regional Planning Course Requirements:

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the major:

E. Track 5: Urban: Economic/Retailing Emphasis Course Requirements:

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the major:

Additional Information About the Program

For more information on the Geography BA program, please refer to the Geography website or email wyu@binghamton.edu. To apply to the Geography BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.