2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Geography, BS (GEOG-BS)

CIP Code: 450701

Program Description

Geography is the study of the location and interrelationships of human and physical phenomena on the earth’s surface. Because of its emphasis on spatial organization and distribution of these phenomena, geography has a broad cross-disciplinary base. Such topics of study as cartography, climatology, land form analysis, photogrammetry and remote sensing, settlement theory, spatial interaction, and urban morphology indicate the breadth of contemporary geography. The undergraduate major in geography includes the study of cultural, economic, physical, and regional geography, as well as cartography, quantitative methods, and field work. Backgrounds in the natural and social sciences, humanities, statistical methods, and computer programming are useful to the geography major.

The Bachelor of Science program in geography emphasizes technical skills and logic. Courses in physical, economic, and social geography and in cartography, remote sensing, and geographic information are emphasized in the program. These courses are complemented by courses in mathematics, philosophy, and computer science.

Because of sequential requirements and prerequisites, students are strongly urged to consult with a geography advisor before registering. Students in any major may also minor in Geography.

Geography majors must participate in the department’s internship program if they do not have professional experience in the field. The internship is designed to complement geography students’ class work and gives them experience in the actual work environment. Students interested in the internship should contact the department internship coordinator or their advisor.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Utilize geospatial data and apply spatial methods and techniques
Develop critical thinking skills to understand important global geographical issues
Recognize the cultural and ecological diversity of the planet
Write clearly and effectively.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Apply spatial tools and methods to analyze geospatial data
Use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate cultural and ecological issues across the globe
Demonstrate an understanding of the value of diversity and multicultural competence in today’s global environment
Communicate effectively in writing.

Honors Program

The geography honors program allows superior students to work on a geographic problem of their own choosing. Applicants must be majors in geography, have senior standing with 36 hours of geography courses to their credit, and meet certain minimum GPAs. Candidates are required to complete an honors project under the direction of a geography faculty member. Successful completion of the project, including written and oral project reports, carries three academic credits and entitles students to graduate with honors in geography. Geography honors students are encouraged to participate in the University Honors Program; interested students should contact the program coordinator or their advisor.

Combined Undergraduate and Graduate Program

This program offers a combined-degree program with a master’s degree in Public Administration. A combined-degree program provides an opportunity for an undergraduate student to begin working toward a master’s degree in their senior year. This allows students to complete the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less combined time than it would take to complete them sequentially.

Students enrolled in a combined-degree program may “double count” a maximum of nine credit hours of graduate-level courses to satisfy both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree requirements. Students must earn at least 141 unique credit hours (any credits that “double-count” toward both degrees are counted only once toward the total number of unique hours) in the combined-degree program.

To participate in a combined-degree program, students must apply through the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies and meet all admission qualifications. Learn more about combined programs in Policy 5330.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

LA 1020 - First-Year Seminar: College of Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete one second-year writing course from the choices below:
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 4 Credit Hours

Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course below.

Required:

STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4 OR
STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 4 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 4 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

· One Global Inquiry (GI) course

· Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

· One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Major Requirements: 52 Credit Hours

Core Requirement: 30 Credit Hours

GEO 2100 - Physical Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 2200 - Human Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 3300 - World Regional Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 4100 - Remote Sensing Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 4200 - Remote Sensing Applications Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 4410 - Cartography Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 4430 - Geographic Information Systems Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 4440 - Advanced GIS Applications Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 4950 - Geography Internship Credit Hour(s): 3

Major Electives: 6 Credit Hours

Students will choose two courses from the following:

Note: If GEO 2210 is completed as part of the Wright State Core requirements, it can not double count here.

GEO 2210 - Nonwestern Human Environments Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 3100 - Economic Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 3400 - Urban Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 3500 - Environmental Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 3700 - Regional Geography Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 4890 - Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
GEO 4900 - Honors Project in Geography Credit Hour(s): 3

Outside Research Requirements: 4 Credit Hours

CS 1150 - Introduction to Computer Science Credit Hour(s): 4
OR
CS 1160 - Introduction to Computer Programming Credit Hour(s): 4

Outside Electives: 12 Credit Hours

COM 1010 - Essentials of Public Address Credit Hour(s): 3
One other College of Liberal Arts class
Two 3000-level courses in Anthropology, Sociology or Political Science

III. College Requirements: 6 Credit hours

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
AND
PLS 3100 - Quantitative Methods in Political Science Credit Hour(s): 3
OR

any approve Research Methods course from the approved list of COLA courses

IV. General Electives: 26 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.

Geography, BS (GPS)