Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Geography, BA
What is the study of Geography?
This interdisciplinary program prepares students to enter professional fields concerned with the spatial aspects of the human and natural environment. Environmental and Resource Management prepares students for a future of working with resources and the environment locally, nationally and internationally. A minor in Geographic Information Systems, Geology or an additional language are commonly completed by Geography students.
Graduates of this major have assumed positions in State and National Parks, Forest Service, non-profit organizations, and GIS positions for public and private agencies. Western also offers a Masters in Science in Geography. If you are interested in teaching Geography in public schools, see the B.A. Geography/Social Studies or B.A.Ed. Geography/Elementary Education information sheet.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Are you curious about the world, and its physical and human dimensions? Do you love maps? Are you comfortable with spatial problem solving? If so, then Geography is the major for you.
How to Declare:
Phase I: Students can declare themselves as an Environmental Studies (ENVS) major at any time. At the time of declaration a Huxley Faculty Advisor is assigned, based on the student’s interests. Students do not need to specify their specific major until their application to Phase II. In Phase I students must complete the ENVS Preparatory Courses (and optionally can enroll in ENVS Core Courses as well).
ENVS Preparatory Courses: (8 courses)
BIOL 101 or 204 CHEM 121 ECON 206
MATH 114 or 156 PLSC 250
ENVS 201 – Understanding Environmental Data & Information (old: ESTU 297B)
ENVS 202 – Introduction to Environmental Studies & Sustainability (old: ESTU 202)
ENVS 203 – Physical Geography (old: EGEO 203)
Phase II: Upon completion of the ENVS Preparatory Courses with a C- or higher, students can apply for Phase II (applications are accepted 3 times per year). The application requires a 1-2 page essay (with specific ENVS major rationale) and the submission of a Plan of Study signed by the faculty advisor(s).
Application Deadlines for Phase II: Applications should be received by the Huxley College office by April 25 for admission to summer or fall quarters; October 6 for admission winter quarter; and January 15 for admission spring quarter.
Advising Tips: Prospective environmental studies majors are encouraged to call 360-650-3520 to make an appointment with the Huxley College admissions advisor, Kathryn Patrick, in order to explore their environmental studies interest and develop a plan of study.
Coursework
PHASE I (33 credits):
- One course from:
- BIOL 101 - Introduction to Biology
- BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity
- CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
- ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
- ENVS 201 - Understanding Environmental Data and Information
- ENVS 202 - Introduction to Environmental Studies and Sustainability
- ENVS 203 - Physical Geography
- MATH 114 - Precalculus I or equivalent or higher.
- PLSC 250 - The American Political System
PHASE II: ENVS CORE (17-20 credits):
- One course from:
- ENVS 303 - Human Ecology and Sustainability
- ENVS 304 - Environment and Resource Policy
- ENVS 305 - Environmental History and Ethics
- One course from:
- ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns
- ENVS 361 - Introduction to Planning
- One course from:
- ESCI 302 - Environmental Pollution
- ESCI 310 - Environmental Systems
- ESCI 325 - Fundamentals of Ecology
- ESCI 392 - Introduction to Global Change
- One course from:
- ESCI 309 - Exploring Environmental Data
- ESCI 321 - Oceanography
- ESCI 330 - Natural History of the Pacific Northwest
- ESCI 333 - Introduction to Environmental Toxicology
- ESCI 361 - Water Quality
- ESCI 463 - Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
Geography Major (71-77 credits):
- ENVS 204 - Human Geography
- ENVS 319 - Research and Writing
- ENVS 320 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- One course from:
- ENVS 220 - Map Reading and Analysis
- ENVS 321 - Computer Cartography
- Human Geography - One course from:
- ENVS 340 - Developing World
- ENVS 341 - Population and Resources
- ENVS 342 - Geography of the World Economy
- ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns
- Regional Geography - One course from:
- ENVS 330 - The United States: Society and Environment
- ENVS 331 - Canada: Society and Environment
- ENVS 332 - The Pacific Northwest: Society and Environment
- ENVS 333 - East Asia: Society and Environment
- ENVS 334 - South Asia: Society and Environment
- ENVS 335 - The Middle East: Society and Environment
- Physical Geography - One course from:
- ENVS 325 - Geography of Landforms
- ENVS 326 - Climatology
- ENVS 327 - The Soil Environment
- ENVS 372 - Natural Hazards Planning
- At least five courses (minimum three courses 400-level) from:
- ENVS 322 - Analysis of Spatial Data
- ENVS 325 - Geography of Landforms
- ENVS 326 - Climatology
- ENVS 327 - The Soil Environment
- ENVS 330 - The United States: Society and Environment
- ENVS 331 - Canada: Society and Environment
- ENVS 332 - The Pacific Northwest: Society and Environment
- ENVS 333 - East Asia: Society and Environment
- ENVS 334 - South Asia: Society and Environment
- ENVS 335 - The Middle East: Society and Environment
- ENVS 340 - Developing World
- ENVS 341 - Population and Resources
- ENVS 342 - Geography of the World Economy
- ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns
- ENVS 372 - Natural Hazards Planning
- ENVS 420 - Intermediate Geographic Information Systems
- ENVS 421 - GIS Databases
- ENVS 422 - Advanced GIS
- ENVS 426 - Water Resources
- ENVS 427 - Soil Landscapes
- ENVS 428 - Biogeography
- ENVS 430 - Borderlands
- ENVS 431 - Pacific Rim
- ENVS 441 - Society, Space, and Natural Resources
- ENVS 442 - Regional Environmental and Economic Resource Modeling
- ENVS 443 - The Urban Environment
- ENVS 444 - Colonial Landscapes in the Pacific Northwest
- ENVS Capstone - One course from:
- ENVS 410 - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- ENVS 430 - Borderlands
- ENVS 460 - Greening Business Policy and Practice
- ENVS 474 - Planning for Sustainable Communities
- ENVS 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment
- ENVS 496 - Environmental Stewardship
- ESCI 470 - Ecological Restoration
- ESCI 490 - Environmental Risk Assessment
- ESCI 491 - Oceanography of Puget Sound
- ESCI 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment
- One course from: (minimum 10 credits)
- ENVS 498A - Senior Thesis
- ENVS 498B - Internship
- ENVS 498C - Senior Project
- ENVS 498D - Foreign Study
- 16-17 Elective credits (300-400 level) under advisement
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: MATH 114
- SSC: ECON 206; ENVS 202, 342; PLSC 250
- ACGM: ENVS 333, 334, 335
- LSCI: BIOL 101, 204; CHEM 121; ENVS 203
Sample Careers
- Cartographer
- Resource Manager
- GIS Database Manager
- Water Resource Manager
- Park Ranger
- Forest Service Employee
- College or University Instructor
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Michael Medler
AH 210, 360-650-3173
Michael.Medler@wwu.edu
Undergraduate Advisor:
Kathryn Patrick
ES 539, 360-650-3520
Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu
Faculty Advisors
Debnath Mookherjee, AH 228
Debnath.Mookherjee@wwu.edu
Andrew Bach, AH 226
Andy.Bach@wwu.edu
Michael Medler, AH 210
Michael.Medler@wwu.edu
David Rossiter, AH 232
David.Rossiter@wwu.edu
Patrick Buckley, AH 222
Patrick.Buckley@wwu.edu