Geography - Sam Houston State University

Geography from Sam Houston State University is a Campus Bachelor Geography degree that prepares you for a Science career. 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 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. 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. View more details on Sam Houston State University . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Geography courses.