Department of Geography
Department Chair: Eugene Thompson
Department Secretary: Kay Berry (208) 496-3060
Department Faculty: Sean Cannon, Michael Madsen

 
Graduation Requirements
 
Majors

Minors
 
  • Geography
    		•
     
  • Geography Education
    		•

    Geography
    Geography  has  an  ancient  intellectual  heritage  which  has  persisted  as  humans  have  attempted  to  understand  the  complexities  and  interrelationships  of  world  physical  and  cultural  systems.    Rooted  in  both  the  physical  and  social  sciences,  geography  functions  as  a  synthesizing  discipline  providing  a  "bridge"  between  these  two  often  disparate  interests.  The  Geography  Department  strives  to  perpetuate  this  long-standing  objective  by  providing  classes  which  investigate  both  the  physical  and  cultural  world.    Geography  students  are  trained  to  think  in  locational  and  spatial  terms.  In  this  context,  students  consider  where  physical  and  cultural  phenomena  are  located  and  why  they  occupy  this  space.    These  principles,  when  combined  with  the  interaction  of  earth  systems,  are  the  central  focus  of  the  discipline  and  the  Geography  Department.

    Our  courses  are  designed  to  fulfill  several  purposes:
    (1)  to  unequivocally  support  the  mission  of  BYU-Idaho  and  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints.    (2)  Provide  exposure  to  the  thinking  of  influential  scholars  of  the  discipline,  both  past  and  present.    (3)    Prepare  prospective  teachers  in  geographic  fundamentals  to  faciliate  teaching  those  fundamentals  to  their  students.    (4)    Encourage  an  understanding  of  geographic  vocabulary.    (5)  Introduction  to  research  methodology,  and  introduce  students  to  "leading  edge"  technology  in  geographic  research  and  practice,  in  areas  such  as  GIS  and  land-use  planning.  (6)  Help  students  gain  geographic  literacy  and  certification  as  teachers  of  Geography  at  secondary  level.
     
    Career Opportunities
    It  is  recommended  that  those  with  an  interest  in  becoming  geographers  seek  a  broad  background  in  many  fields,  especially  in  the  Social  and  Earth  Sciences.    Geography  majors  may  choose  from  careers  in  travel  and  tourism,  cartography,  business,  government,  education,  planning  and  resource  management  or  Geographic  Information  Systems.

    A  Geography-based,  "Travel  and  Tourism"  four-year  degree  program  is  available  at  BYU.    This  program  is  for  students  interested  in  careers  as  travel  agents,  tourism  related  careers.    You  can  complete  two  of  the  core  courses  of  this  program  (Geog  101  and  Geog  120),  while  at  BYU-Idaho.  Contact  Department  of  Geography  for  further  information. 
     


    Minor in  Geography (111)



    Minor Requirements

     Take all of these courses

     GEOG 101
     GEOG 101L
     GEOG 120
     GEOG 230
     GEOG 240

    AND
          Take 2 Courses

          GEOG 320
          GEOG 321
          GEOG 350



    Minor in  Geography Education (112)



    Minor Requirements

     Take all of these courses

     GEOG 101
     GEOG 101L
     GEOG 120
     GEOG 230
     GEOG 240
     GEOG 320
     GEOG 321
     GEOG 350
     
    Course Descriptions

    GEOG 101 Introduction to Physical Geography (3:3:0)
    Fullfills GE Physical Science requirement.
    A geographic approach to the study of the physical environment.
     
    GEOG 101L Physical Geography Lab (1:0:2)
    Fullfills GE Physical Science requirement.
    Prerequisite: None. Students are encouraged to take the lab concurrently with Geog 101, but they are not required to do so.
    Lab for Physical Geography
     
    GEOG 110 Geography for Elementary Education (3:3:0)
    Prerequisite: Non-Elementary Education majors need instructor's approval.
    Introduces elementary education majors to the fundamentals of Physical and Human Geography.
     
    GEOG 120 Geography and World Affairs (3:3:0)
    Fullfills GE Social Science requirement.
    The study of human cultures as they interact with each other and with their physical environment.
     
    GEOG 230 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3:2:2)
    A general overview of Geographic Information Systems including background, development, trends and prospects for the use of the rapidly developing technology in a variety of professions and academic fields.
     
    GEOG 240 Maps & Remote Sensing (3:2:2)
    Introduction to the principles of mapping and various types of remote sensing.
     
    GEOG 320 Geography of North America (3:3:0)
    This course will explore the relationships between the environmental, cultural, economic, and demographic processes reshaping North America as an example of the geography of developed nations and the nature of regional geography.
     
    GEOG 321 Geography of Developing Nations (3:3:0)
    This course will focus on underdeveloped regions of the world to examine major themes related to development and underdevelopment, poverty, and wealth, equality and inequality.
     
    GEOG 340 Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis (3:2:2)
    This course explores connections between the acquisition, processing and analysis of spatial information as a means for more clearly understanding the properties and processes that comprise physical and human systems.
     
    GEOG 350 Cultural Geography (3:3:0)
    The systematic study of various cultural geographic themes including population, language, religion, and "pop culture."
     
    GEOG 398R Geography Internship (1-6:0:0)
    An internship is a cooperative program between the BYU-Idaho Department of History, Geography, and Political Science and an approved organization. Professional internships correlate actual work experience with coursework; provide students with knowledge of career opportunities, and give students work experience in preparation for employment after graduation. Ideas for internships are developed by the student in consultation with the department internship coordinator.