Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2017-2018 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2017-2018 Previous Edition

Geography, B.S.


A Major in Geography leading to a B.S. degree consists of 49 credit hours of Geography and Earth Sciences and at least six credit hours of extra-departmental coursework (55 credit hours total). 

Although students pursuing a B.S. in Geography are not required to declare a concentration, formal concentrations within the major include Urban, Social, and Economic Geography; Urban and Regional Planning; and GIScience and Technology.  Other plans of study may be developed; students should contact their advisors to develop a program of study that matches their career objectives.  Students should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure that their program of study is tailored to their career goals.

Degree Requirements


General Education Courses (37-41 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program 

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)


All students who earn a degree within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of their choice through the 1202 level.  Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

  • Completing the required coursework at UNC Charlotte
  • Completing three years of the same foreign language in high school through level three
  • Achieving a satisfactory score on the foreign languages placement test (in Spanish, French, or German)
  • Through approved transfer or transient credit earned at other accredited institutions
  • By transferring in with an A.A., A.S. or A.F.A. degree
  • A combination of the above methods (e.g., placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1201 and completing the 1202 course, completing 1201 and placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1202)

Restricted Elective Courses (18 credit hours)


Select 18 credit hours of elective GEOG coursework at the 3000 or above level.  Up to three elective courses may be selected from courses with the ESCI, GEOL, and METR prefix.

Note: this Elective Course requirement does not apply to students in the Concentration in GIScience and Technology.

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Cooperative Education Program


Students in the Geography and Earth Sciences programs may obtain practical work experience while pursuing their degrees by participating in the Cooperative Education program.  The work experience is approved by the department and is closely related to the student’s field of study.  The Cooperative Education Program allows qualified students either to alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time work experience or to combine part-time academic study and part-time work during the same semester.  Students who are in good standing with the University, have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and have completed 30 credit hours are eligible to apply.  Transfer students are required to complete 12 credit hours at the University prior to application. Students interested in learning more about participating in this program should contact the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences or the University Career Center.

Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Earth Sciences, Geography, Geology, or Metrology, visit the program page .

Suggested Curriculum


For the suggested course sequence toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.  Consultation with an advisor is required each semester.