OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22
[Archived Catalog]
Geography—Urban Planning and Sustainability Major (B.S.) |
Major code BS4242
College of Arts and Sciences
Geography Department
Clippinger Laboratories 122
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1140
Fax: 740.593.1138
http://www.ohio.edu/geography
Dorothy Sack, Chair
sack@ohio.edu
Harold Perkins, Advising Coordinator
perkinsh@ohio.edu
Program Overview
Geographers are interested in the spatial patterns observed on earth. Bridging the natural and social sciences, Geography is the interdisciplinary study of environments and how people interact with the environment. It is important to study geography because many of the world’s problems require understanding the interdependence between human activities and the environment. Geography is therefore a beneficial major for students because its theories and methods provide them with analytical skills relevant to occupations focused on solving social and environmental problems. The Department of Geography offers eight majors that help students tailor their focus of study.
The Urban Planning and Sustainability major provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to envision and craft urban environments that embrace the three key components of sustainability - environment, economy, and equity. Students completing this comprehensive, forward-looking program will develop sophisticated understandings of cities and their role in the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the 21st century. The curriculum emphasizes urban, sustainability, and planning theories and processes, in addition to providing a strong foundation in geography and its major analytical techniques.
Our department is committed to excellence in both teaching and advising. Several of our faculty members have received teaching awards, and we are known across campus for the quality of our advising. As a geography major, you will meet one-on-one with your faculty advisor every semester during advising week, and you are always welcome to talk with your advisor at any time throughout the semester whenever questions may arise. In addition to advising our students about their academic programs, we provide timely information about internships, nationally competitive awards, and other opportunities as they arise. Many of our students complete internships and several of our students over the last few years have received nationally competitive awards.
For more information about our program, please view this video , visit our website , or contact our Undergraduate Chair, whose information is listed above.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
Students who pursue a degree in Geography – Urban Planning and Sustainability are well-suited for a variety of career opportunities, from city planner to corporate sustainability officer. While it is common for urban planners to hold positions within the local, state, and federal governments, additional employment opportunities are available with urban and environmental planning firms; real estate development companies; community-based non-profit organizations; local, state, and national parks; architecture firms; zoning administration; historical preservation agencies; institutions of higher education; etc. Many urban planning positions require a graduate degree. Consequently, the urban planning and sustainability major also positions its graduates well for graduate level study in Planning, Environment Studies, Public Policy, and Geography programs.
Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake , OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.
Requirements
Universitywide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all Universitywide graduation requirements .
Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement
View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .
Geography - Urban Planning Major
The major requirement for the B.S. degree in Geography - Urban Planning is a minimum of 45 hours of geography.
Geography Foundations
Complete the following geography foundation courses with at least the minimum grade indicated for each course. Ideally GEOG 2680 and 2710 should be taken before your junior year.
- GEOG 1100 - Physical Geography Credit Hours: 4
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(C or better grade required)
- GEOG 1200 - Human Geography Credit Hours: 3
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(C or better grade required)
- GEOG 2680 - Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences Credit Hours: 4
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(C or better grade required)
- GEOG 2710 - Introduction to Statistics in Geography Credit Hours: 3
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(C- or better grade required)
- GEOG 4799 - Foundations for Capstone Research in Geography Credit Hours: 1
- GEOG 4800 - Capstone Experience in Geography Credit Hours: 3
Geography Regional Course
Complete one regional course from the following:
- GEOG 3300 - Geography of Europe Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3310 - Geography of Africa Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3330 - Appalachia: Land and People Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3340 - Historical Geography of the United States Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3350 - Geography of Latin America Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3380 - Geography of Asia Credit Hours: 3
Geography Technique/Method Courses
Note: Students interested in pursuing an internship opportunity junior or senior years are advised to strengthen their credentials by first completing a techniques and a planning course.
Complete the following course:
- GEOG 3500 - Land Use Planning Credit Hours: 3
Take One Additional Technique Course from the Following:
- GEOG 3600 - Cartography I Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 3650 - Air Photo Interpretation Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4660 - Principles of Remote Sensing Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4710 - Quantitative Methods in Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4712 - Field Methods in Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4730 - Principles of GIS Credit Hours: 4
Core Requirements
Complete the following four required courses:
- GEOG 2500 - Planning and the City Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3260 - Urban Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4520 - Environmental and Sustainability Planning Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4560 - The Just and Sustainable City Credit Hours: 3
Core Electives
Complete two of the following courses:
- GEOG 3210 - Population Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3250 - Political Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3270 - Social Geographies Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3290 - World Economic Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3450 - Access to Water in a Changing World Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 3580 - Environmental Hazards Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4170 - Landscape Ecology Credit Hours: 3
- GEOG 4550 - History of Planning Credit Hours: 3
Recommended Non-Geography Courses
The following courses are highly recommended. Some of these courses satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences Requirements. Please note that some courses have requisites.
- AAS 2200 - Introduction to Black Political Economy Credit Hours: 3
- CAS 1415 - Introduction to Sustainability Credit Hours: 3
- ECON 3200 - Labor Economics Credit Hours: 3
- POLS 3200 - Urban Politics Credit Hours: 3
- POLS 4840 - The Politics of Sustainability Credit Hours: 3
- SW 2601C - Social Welfare Overview and Trends Credit Hours: 3
- SW 3602 - Social Welfare Policy Credit Hours: 3
- VICO 2514 - Introduction to Basic Publication Design Credit Hours: 3