Geography describes and explains the past, present, and future locations and spatial patterns of humans and their settlements, cultural and economic traits, and natural environment and resources. The department’s programs focus on environmental studies (human/environment interactions, natural resource policy and management, legal geography and social justice) and geographic information science (geographic information systems, cartography and geovisualization, remote sensing, GPS, and spatial statistics).

Geography and Environmental Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, and a Master of Science degree. The B.A. and B.S. degrees prepare majors for one of two career paths, or for entrance into the M.S. program. The B.A. degree acknowledges general competency in Geography for those seeking careers in either applied geography or environmental studies.