Geography & Sustainability Studies

The Geography & Sustainability Studies program offers a four-year degree, a minor, and a GIS certificate.  The purpose of the program is to provide students with knowledge and experiences to foster an understanding of human and biophysical processes that shape the natural and cultural landscape, appreciate human-environment interactions and sustainability, and to provide technological skills to study and manage geospatial information.  Our primary goal is to prepare students to critically evaluate and synthesize spatial data and to develop problem-solving skills.  Students learn to investigate spatial processes and distribution and to communicate their findings effectively verbally, in writing, and through the uniquely-spatial media of maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 

The program promotes an awareness of local, regional, and global issues through individual and community-based activities.  Students have many opportunities to gain experience via immersive learning, field trips, internships, etc.  Integrating knowledge, skills, and hands-on learning enables students to find employment in urban and regional planning, utility businesses, real estate, state/tribal/federal institutions, natural resource management, education, environmental management and analysis, and non-profit organizations.  It also seeks to prepare students to enter geography, sustainability, and environmental graduate programs.