Geography, Bachelor of Science
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree may choose an optional concentration in one of the following areas: Geographic Information Science and Technology, Travel and Tourism, or Physical Geography. Where course options overlap, credits may count toward both the concentration and the major requirements.
Geography, Bachelor of Science Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - 34 Hours Required | ||
| Minimum of “C-“required | ||
| Fundamental Skills | 15 | |
Writing – 6 hrs. | ||
| ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | ||
| COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | ||
Oral Communication – 3 hrs. | ||
| PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS | ||
or CMST 2120 | ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | |
Quantitative Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING | ||
or MATH 1130 | QUANTITATIVE LITERACY | |
or MATH 1140 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS | |
or MATH 1300 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | |
Data Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
Select one from the following: | ||
| DATA LITERACY AND VISUALIZATION | ||
| ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
Until Fall 2028, students can satisfy this requirement with an approved data literacy course, or any approved natural or social science general education course. | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 13 | |
Social Science – 3 hrs. | ||
Humanities – 3 hrs. | ||
Natural & Physical Science (must complete a lab) – 4 hrs. | ||
Arts – 3 hrs. | ||
| Individual and Social Responsibility | 6 | |
Cultural Knowledge – 3 hrs. | ||
Civic Knowledge and Engagement – 3 hrs. | ||
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | ||
| **Course will satisfy UNO's General Education requirement | ||
| ^Course requires pre-requisite(s) | ||
| Geography Major - 39-40 Hours Required | ||
| Required Coursework | 24 | |
| WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY (**) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (**) | ||
| OUR DYNAMIC PLANET: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (**) | ||
| HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT GEOGRAPHY (** ^) | ||
| CARTOGRAPHY AND DATA VISUALIZATION | ||
| GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD STUDIES (Can also apply to the upper-level Global or North American category, depending on the field study destination) 1 | ||
| ELEMENTARY STATISTICS (** ^) | ||
| 1 Geographical Field Studies Requirement | ||
| Optional method of completing GEOG 4620: Students who have completed study abroad, or military service for more than six months outside the USA can complete the course without going on the multiple day field trip. Contact the department for the details regarding this alternative method. | ||
| GEOGRAPHY DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS (15 credits minimum) | ||
| Choose at least one course in Physical Geography | 3-4 | |
| NEBRASKA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGMENT (^) | ||
| METEOROLOGY and INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY LABORATORY (** ^) | ||
| CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| GEOARCHAEOLOGY | ||
| BIOGEOGRAPHY (^) | ||
| WATER QUALITY (^) | ||
| PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY (^) | ||
| CLIMATOLOGY (^) | ||
| SOIL GENESIS, MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION | ||
| WATER RESOURCES | ||
| GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT | ||
| CRITICAL ZONE SCIENCE | ||
| Choose at least one course in Human Geography | 3 | |
| HEALTH & MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY | ||
| NEBRASKA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGMENT (^) | ||
| CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| URBAN GEOGRAPHY | ||
| POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| GEOGRAPHY, GENDER AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (^) | ||
| URBAN SUSTAINABILITY (^) | ||
| ADVANCED CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| GEOGRAPHIES OF SEXUALITIES | ||
| GEOGRAPHY OF THE WORLD ECONOMY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & REGULATIONS (^) | ||
| Choose at least one course in Global Perspectives | 3 | |
| TRAVEL STUDY IN GEOGRAPHY | ||
| GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA (^) | ||
| GEOGRAPHY IN FILM (^) | ||
| GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA (^) | ||
| EAST & SOUTHEAST ASIA (^) | ||
| GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE (^) | ||
| GEOGRAPHY OF RUSSIA AND ITS NEIGHBORS (^) | ||
| Choose at least one course in North American Perspectives | 3 | |
| UNITED STATES & CANADA (^) | ||
| GREAT PLAINS & NEBRASKA | ||
| HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES (^) | ||
| Choose at least one course in Geospatial Science | 3 | |
| AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION | ||
| SPATIAL ANALYSIS IN GEOGRAPHY | ||
| COMPUTER MAPPING AND VISUALIZATION (^) | ||
| GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I (^) | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING (^) | ||
| GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II (^) | ||
| College Breadth (choose one option) | 15-30+ | |
| Option 1: Complete any UNO minor or undergraduate certificate - 15+ hours | ||
| Option 2: Additional General Education Requirements - 18+ hours | ||
Additional quantitative literacy - 3 hours | ||
Additional Social Science Gen. Ed. from another Discipline - 3 hours | ||
Additional Humanities Gen. Ed. from another Discipline - 3 hours | ||
Additional Nat. and Physical Science w/ or without Lab - 3-5 hours | ||
| Option 3: CAS comprehensive major (50+ hours) OR any second UNO major (30+ hours) | ||
| Bachelor of Science Cognate Requirement | 15 | |
| In consultation with a departmental advisor, students select 15 credits of complementary coursework, with at least 6 credits from approved computer science courses. | ||
| ELECTIVES | ||
| Elective hours as required to reach a total of 120 hours | ||
Geography, Bachelor of Science Optional Concentrations
Geography majors have the option to declare a concentration. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree may choose an optional concentration in one of the following areas: Geographic Information Science and Technology, Travel and Tourism, or Physical Geography. Each concentration requires a minimum of 15 credit hours. Courses used to fulfill concentration requirements may also be applied toward the Geography major's requirements, where appropriate.
Geography, Bachelor of Science Four Year Plan
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| GEOG 1020 | INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY | 3 |
| GEOG 1030 | OUR DYNAMIC PLANET: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY | 4 |
| ENGL 1150 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| MATH 1300 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | 4 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend Durango Days; other campus events. Set up a Handshake account and take the Pathway U career assessment. Attend the Student Involvement & Volunteer Fair to explore student organizations. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. Work with your advisor to develop your Pathway in Stellic. | ||
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 1000 | WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY | 3 |
| GEOG 1050 | HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT GEOGRAPHY | 4 |
| ENGL 1160 | COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | 3 |
| CMST 1110 or CMST 2120 | PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | 3 |
| STAT 1530 | ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | 3 |
Attend campus events such as major exploration week to get an idea of interests and career paths. Schedule a resume review with UNO Career Services. Visit faculty office hours and ask about undergraduate research opportunities. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIST 1300 | INTRODUCTION TO WEB DEVELOPMENT (or other approved computer science course) | 3.00 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
Attend the Career & Internship Fair to start networking with employers. Look for volunteer, research, or part-time work to gain experience. Join a student organization or club related to your field or interests. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 3530 | CARTOGRAPHY AND DATA VISUALIZATION | 4 |
| Advisor-approved computer science course | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend a career fair for informational and networking purposes. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with new experiences. Investigate and apply for summer internships, research, or study abroad programs. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Physical Geography Course | 3-4 | |
| Global Perspectives Geography Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Apply for a paid internship or research assistantship. Attend a mock interview workshop or use online interview tools with Career Services. Start researching and visiting graduate programs or professional schools. Visit Career Center, continue updating resume. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Human Geography Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Request letters of recommendation from faculty for jobs or grad school. Attend the All-Majors Career Fair with a plan to network. Meet with your advisor or submit for a graduation check-in to review remaining degree requirements. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| North American Perspectives Geography Course | 3 | |
| Geospatial Science Course | 3-4 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Cognate Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
Check in with Career Center for networking tips. Finalize graduate school applications or job search strategy. Attend a career fair and start applying for full-time jobs. Prepare for interviews and salary negotiations with Career Services. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 4620 | GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD STUDIES | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
Complete your final advising check before graduation. Polish your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile. Stay connected by joining alumni networks and professional organizations. Apply for graduation via MavLink. | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120-122 | |
College Breadth: Students should plan on using at least 15 hours of "Electives" to fulfill Option 1, 2, or 3, of the College of Arts and Sciences' breadth requirement.
Upper Level Credits: Students need 27 upper level credits throughout the degree with at least 18 upper level credits within the major. Electives may need to be selected at the 3000-4000 level to reach these minimums.
Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year.
Placement Exams: For Math, English, World Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php
Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study
GPA Requirements: 2.0
Note: This plan provides a general guide, but your specific courses, experiences, and career goals may differ. Work with your academic advisor to ensure you’re meeting degree requirements and consult with career advisors to explore internships, research opportunities, and post-graduation plans. Regular check-ins will help you stay on track and make the most of your time at UNO!