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Department of Geography & Geology

BA in Geography (Human) | BS in Geography (Human) | BA in Geography (Environmental) | BS in Geography (Environmental) | BS in Geography (Geo-spatial) | BA in Social Science Composite | BS in Social Science Composite | BS in Geology | BS in Geology (Geoscience) | Course Descriptions

Chair: Brian Cooper    (936) 294-1566    

Faculty: Don Albert, Chris Baldwin, Brian Cooper, Marcus Gillespie, Gang Gong, John Patrick Harris, Joe Hill, Mark Leipnik, Faljuni Mukherjee, Velvet Nelson, Dennis Netoff, John Strait, Jim Tiller, and C. Allen Williams (Emeritus)

Website: www.shsu.edu/~gel_geo

The Department of Geography and Geology is an excellent blend of two disciplines that have a common thread. Both programs are concerned with the physical environment, with resources – including energy resources – and with ways that humans interact with and modify the natural environment. Students may major or minor in either program.

Mission

The primary mission of the Department of Geography and Geology is to provide students of the two complementary programs a comprehensive understanding of the range and depth of these scientific disciplines which encompass, respectively, the human and physical domains of geography, and the physical and historical domains of geology. This understanding is intended to enable our students to achieve their full potential as skilled professionals and well-qualified technical employees in a diverse range of companies and governmental organizations, and to become effective teachers and community leaders. Our programs enable students to become informed users of a range of technologies and prudent stewards of our natural resources. This understanding of the world will promote successful careers, active life-long learning, and an ability and desire to contribute positively to society.

Geography Program

Coordinator: John Strait     (936) 294-4077    

Faculty: Don Albert, Gang Gong, Marcus Gillespie, Mark Leipnik ,Faljuni Mukherjee, Velvet Nelson, Dennis Netoff, John Strait, Jim Tiller, C. Allen Williams (Emeritus)

Website: www.shsu.edu/~gel_geo/

Geography is the study of the world from a spatial perspective and entails the comprehensive study of the earth and its people. Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT about memorizing place-names and coloring maps. On the contrary, geography is an all-encompassing discipline that focuses foremost on fully understanding the Earth and all of its human and natural complexities – not merely where objects are, but how they have changed and come to be. This includes an understanding of both the physical environment and the cultural world of politics, economics, population, religion, and other human phenomena. A major thrust within the discipline includes the use of geospatial technologies as a means to facilitate geographic inquiry. This entails various methodologies that pertain to the use of spatial analysis, such as computer cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and global positioning systems. Because of the breadth of its subject matter, geography integrates information from a wide variety of other disciplines and examines that information from a spatial perspective. For individuals that are curious about the world, there are few disciplines that will satisfy that curiosity as much as Geography. In the age of global markets, global transportation systems and global telecommunications, we are increasingly faced with the reality that our welfare is highly interdependent with the rest of the world. A geographic education represents an excellent way to understand how to deal with environmental, social and economic issues associated with this reality.

Academic Programs

• BA in Geography (Human Geography)
• BA in Geography (Environmental Geography)
• BS in Geography (Human Geography)
• BS in Geography (Environmental Geography)
• BS in Geography (Geo-spatial Information Sciences)
• Teacher Certification (BA Social Science Composite—Geography Emphasis)
• Teacher Certification (BS in Social Science Composite—Geography Emphasis)

The Geography program incorporates a three-track curriculum and is designed to fit the particular academic needs of our students and better prepare them for life beyond SHSU, particularly in terms of graduate study or employment opportunities.  Student majors may choose to focus their program within one of three tracks, each providing a broad geographical background yet emphasizing different foci of study.  The human geography track is designed for students primarily interested in the broad geographical study of human or cultural phenomena.  The environmental geography track is designed for students interested in orienting their program of study around the spatial interactions between human society and the physical environment.  The geo-spatial information sciences track is designed for students more interested in developing skills in the application of a variety of geo-spatial technologies. 

Highlights

Located on the third floor of the Lee Drain Building, the department maintains both a Geographic Information System (GIS) lab and a combination GIS and remote sensing lab. These labs contain state-of-the-art computers, software and scanners. We also have a van for fieldtrips, a Zodiac watercraft used for field research, a coring device capable of taking up to 6m core samples, high-quality GPS receivers, a large-scale flume to demonstrate sedimentation processes, and a Ground Penetrating Radar System. In order to enhance learning, all of our rooms are outfitted with video-projection systems, and our lecture rooms have sound systems and dedicated computers with Internet access that are used by the instructors for teaching purposes. Many of our students obtain internships and work with faculty members on research projects.

Career Opportunities

Because of the breadth of geography, there are a wide variety of career opportunities for geography graduates. These opportunities include careers in the following:

• urban planning
• computer mapping and geospatial technologies
• environmental companies and state environmental agencies
• state transportation departments
• city, county, state, and federal government
• education
• historical preservation
• marketing agencies
• energy companies
• emergency management
• tourism
• military

Geography’s focus on spatial relationships, in conjunction with new advances in technology, have led to the development of new geographical tools—principally Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)—that are now used by many geographers in a wide variety of fields. Because these technologies can be applied within virtually any field (government, business, military, etc.) it is one of the fastest growing job fields and the demand for people with experience using them exceeds the supply. Aside from offering a track with our program that emphasizes these technologies, we also offer students and an Interdisciplinary Minor in GSS that emphasizes GIS, remote sensing and computer cartography. The combination of geography major and a GSS minor is highly marketable. With their broad background, geography graduates have an ability to see connections where others do not, and this enables geographers to work in many different fields. Geography literally offers a world of opportunities.

Suggested Minors

• Computer Science
• Economics
• Foreign Language
• GSS (Geo-spatial Science)
• Geology, Biology, Environmental Science
• History
• International Business
• Journalism
• Marketing
• Military Science
• Political Science
• Social Science Composite
• Sociology

Student Organizations

• Geographers of Sam Houston (GOSH) - GOSH is intended to enhance appreciation for geography through club-sponsored field trips, guest lectures, and other activities, and to promote camaraderie among geography students.
• Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) - GTU is the National Geography Honor Society and was established to promote geographic awareness and the pursuit of geographic knowledge. To be eligible for membership in this honor society, students must have at least 12 hours of geography coursework, a minimum GPA of 3.25 in their geography coursework, and an overall GPA of at least 3.0.

Internships

Educational and research opportunities using GIS are available through a variety of internship opportunities that will increase students’ skills and employment opportunities.

Richardson Endowment Awards

• C. ALLEN WILLIAMS AWARD FOR GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS: $500-$700 one semester.
  Geography majors or minors, senior status.
• CODY BARRON AWARD FOR GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS: $500-$700 one semester.
  Geography majors or minors, senior status.
• GERALD L. HOLDER AWARD FOR GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS: $500 -- $700 one semester.
  Geography majors or minors, senior status, 3.0 GPA Geography overall.
• JAMES ELLISON KIRKLEY AWARD: Two awards (amounts vary) to majors in history, political science, geography, or sociology.
  Recipients are selected on basis of high academic achievement.
• JOHN H. BOUNDS AWARD FOR GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS: $500-$700 for one semester.
  Geography majors or minors, senior status.
• THE ELTON M. SCOTT AWARD FOR GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS: $500 -- $700 one semester. Geography majors or minors, senior status. 3.0 GPA Geography overall.

Request information from: Christopher T. Baldwin, Chair, Department of Geography and Geology, Box 2148, Huntsville, TX 77341-2148. (936) 294-1233

Program Specific Requirements

Students must meet the academic standards established by the university.

Curriculum

Required Courses for Geography Major

• Bachelor of Arts, human geography track: GEO 131/111 <GEOG 1301/1101> or GEL 132/112 <GEOL 1305/1105>; (2 of the following 3 courses) GEO 161 <GEOG 1321>, GEO 265 <GEOG 2355> and/or GEO 266 <GEOG 2356>; (3 of the following courses) GEO 330 <GEOG 3350>, GEO 331 <GEOG 3351>, GEO 332 <GEOG 3352>, GEO 436 <GEOG 4356>, GEO 437 <GEOG 4357>; (2 of the following technique courses) GEO 362 <GEOG 3362>, GEO 363 <GEOG 3363>, GEO 364 <GEOG 3364>, GEO 435 <GEOG 4365>, GEO 433 <GEOG 4333>, GEO 444 <GEOG 4464>, and/or GEO 448 <GEOG 4468>; plus 8 credit-hours of advanced geography electives
• Bachelor of Science, human geography track: the above requirements, plus 3 additional credit-hours of general geography credit, and 1 additional credit-hour of advanced geography electives (12 total credit-hours of geography electives)
• Bachelor of Arts, environmental geography track: GEO 131/111 <GEOG 1301/1101> and GEL 132/11>2<GEOL 1305/1105> ; (1 of the following 3 courses) GEO 161<GEOG 1321>, GEO 265<GEOG 2355> and/or GEO 266<GEOG 2356>; (3 of the following courses) GEL 360 <GEOL 3326>, GEO 461 <GEOG4331>, GEO 433 <GEOG4333>, and/or GEO 442 <GEOG 4432>; (2 of the following technique courses) GEO 362 <GEOG 3362>, GEO 363 <GEOG 3363>, GEO 364 <GEOG 3364>, GEO 435 <GEOG 4365>, GEO 444 <GEOG 4464>, and/or GEO 448 <GEOG 4468>; plus 6-8 credit-hours of advanced geography electives
• Bachelor of Science, environmental geography track: the above requirements, plus 3 additional credit-hours of GEO 161<GEOG 1321>, 265 <GEOG 2355>, or 266<GEOG 2356>; plus 3 additional credit-hours of advanced geography electives (9-11 total credit-hours of advanced geography electives)
• Bachelor of Science, geo-spatial information science track: (1 of the following courses) GEO 131/111<GEOG 1301/1101> or GEL 132/112 <GEOL 1305/1105>; (2 of the following courses) GEO 161 <GEOG 1321>, 265 <GEOG 2355> or 266<GEOG 2356>; (the following 4 courses) GEO 363<GEOG 3363>, GEO 364 <GEOG 3364>, GEO 435 <GEOG 4365>, GEO 444<GEOG 4464>; (1 of the following courses) GEO 362 <GEOG 3362>, 433 <GEOG4333> or 448 <GEOG 4468>; plus 12 credit-hours of geography electives (9 credit-hours of these electives must be at the advanced level, and 6 of these advanced hours must come from non-technique courses)

Required Courses for BA or BS in Social Science Composite (Geography Emphasis)

All Social Science Composite majors must take the following courses: GEO 131/111 <GEOG 1301/1101>, 265 <GEOG 2355>, 266<GEOG 2356>, 330 <GEOG 3350>, 331 <GEOG 3351>, 362 <GEOG 3362>, 369 <GEOG 3359>. and 1 technical/applied course from GEO 363 <GEOG 3363> , 364 <GEOG 3364>, 433 <GEOG 4333>, 444 <GEOG 4464>, or 448 <GEOG 4468>. In addition to these requirements, students must take the courses shown below for the respective degree.

Bachelors of Arts, Social Science Composite (Geography Emphasis):
GEO 161 <GEOG 1321>, 471 <4358>, and 3 hours of GEO <GEOG> Advanced) 9 hrs.
Bachelors of Sciences, Social Sciences Composite (Geography Emphasis):
GEO 161 <GEOG 1321>, 442 <4432>, 471 <4358>, and 3 hours of GEO (Advanced)
13 hrs.

3 Digit to 4 Digit Crosswalk

Bachelor of Arts
Major in Geography, Human Geography

Bachelor of Science
Major in Geography, Human Geography

3 Digit to 4 Digit Crosswalk

Bachelor of Arts
Major in Geography, Environmental Geography

3 Digit to 4 Digit Crosswalk

Bachelor of Science
Major in Geography, Environmental Geography

3 Digit to 4 Digit Crosswalk

Notes:
¹HIS 163 <HIST 1301> & 164 <1302> and POL 261 <POLS 2301> & POL <POLS> (200-level) satisfies the requirement for Component Area V and the degree specific requirement.
²GEO 265 <GEOG 2355> or 266 <GEOG 2356> satisfies the requirement for Component Area IV and the degree specific requirement.

Bachelor of Science
Major in Geography, Geo-spatial Information Sciences

3 Digit to 4 Digit Crosswalk

Bachelor of Arts
Major in Social Science Composite (Geography Emphasis)

3 Digit to 4 Digit Crosswalk

Bachelor of Science
Major in Social Science Composite (Geography Emphasis)

3 Digit to 4 Digit Crosswalk

Teacher Certification

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a major in Social Sciences Composite (Geography Emphasis) and teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 8-12) should use their elective hours and an additional 9 hours to satisfy the required certification requirements. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree with a major in Social Sciences Composite (Geography Emphasis) and teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 8-12) should use their 13 elective hours and an additional 11 hours to satisfy the required certification requirements. The required education courses are listed below and with teacher certification, the BA degree total is 137 hours and the BS degree total is 139 hours. Those students not seeking certification should use their electives to fulfill the University requirement for advanced elective hours—preferably in their major or minor field of study.

SED 374 <CISE 3374>, SED 383 <CISE 3383>, SED 464 <CISE 4364>, SED 494 <CISE 4394>. RDG 492 <READ 4320>, SED 480 <CISE 4380>, SED 496 < CISE 4396>, SED 497 <CISE 4397> (24 hours)

For teacher certification, no grade below C in social science courses is accepted.

Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2014

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