Geography

Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the Earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the environment. Geography links the social sciences and natural sciences together, studying the relationships between human activity and natural systems.

Students studying Geography at Western choose courses from both the environmental science and environmental studies departments to fulfill major requirements. Prospective Geography majors are strongly advised to take additional preparatory course work that provides a strong background in chemistry, biology, geology, physics, mathematics, statistics, political science, anthropology, and/or history. 

The Geography/Social Studies major provides a breadth of knowledge in Geography, Environmental Studies, History, Economics, Anthropology, and Political Science. The major prepares students to explore a wide variety of career paths including planning, education, environmental agencies and NGOs, business, tourism, GIS, government service, transportation, and many more. This major meets Washington State requirements for a teaching endorsement and also prepares students to teach in non-traditional settings with or without the additional certification from Woodring College of Education.

Western’s Geography—Elementary program is designed to provide the necessary depth and breadth of social and natural sciences to teaching majors who wish to specialize in Geography in the public school system. Elementary Geography satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in Elementary Education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in elementary education.

Western’s Environmental Studies Department is part of College of the Environment.

Beyond the Classroom

Student work is received and recognized from national and statewide organizations for exceptional problem-solving solutions that use geographic information systems and computer-aided design. Some students are published in The Planet, a student-run publication that combines the environmental focus of CENV with the writing and reporting skills of journalism to produce an environmental magazine. 

Environmental Speaker Series

College of the Environment hosts the Environmental Speaker Series, which brings guest lecturers to Western’s campus to address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and beyond. The speaker series is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the Western and Bellingham communities. Students and Bellingham community members also volunteer for LEAD (Learning Environment Action Discovery), a program designed to help restore native environments and increase biodiversity. 

Study Abroad

Bringing together even broader communities, CENV students have the opportunity to take environmental studies classes in Europe and other parts of the world through a number of faculty-led study abroad summer programs.

Graduates of this major have assumed positions in State and National Parks, the Forest Service, college and universities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Other graduates teach Geography and Social Studies to children in grades 5-12 in a public or private school setting. Students with a degree in Geography/Social Studies can also go on to graduate work in Geography, Education, or Environmental Education.

Employers of Recent Western Graduates: 

• Aerotek: Visual Data Specialist 
• Google Maps: Visual Data Specialist 
• ICI Services: Plant Propagation Manager

• Cartographer 
• Resource Manager 
• GIS Database Manager 
• Water Resource Manager 
• Park Ranger 
• Forest Service Employee
• Tourism Industry Professional
• Elementary School Teacher
• Middle School Teacher 
• High School Teacher 
• Private School Teacher 
• Land-Use Analyst 
• Surveyor 
• Urban/Regional Planner 
• Ecologist