Geography Department
David Shively, Chair
Whether global climate change or local land use change – geography provides an understanding of complex natural, social, and human-environmental processes at different geographic scales. Drawing on and expanding the knowledge base of Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Geographic Information Sciences, we focus on Mountain Studies, Community and Environmental Planning, and Geographic Information Systems.
Our graduates are successful in occupying meaningful and challenging positions in public, private, and non-profit sectors. Their contributions speak to the impacts Geographers have in analyzing, understanding, and shaping our natural and human landscapes for the benefit of future generations.
The Department of Geography offers the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Master of Sciences degrees in geography. For a B.A. in geography, an option in community and environmental planning is available. For a B.S. in geography an option in physical geography is available. Also offered are a minor in geography and a teaching major and minor in geography. Several interdisciplinary minors are available to students: a minor in mountain studies, a minor in climate change and a minor in international development studies. See the Graduate School website for more information concerning the M.A. and M.S. programs.
A certificate in GIS Sciences and Technologies, jointly offered by the Department of Geography (College of Humanities and Sciences) and the Department of Forest Management (College of Forestry and Conservation), is also available. This GIST certificate is a complement to an existing major or to a bachelor’s degree already obtained. For details, please see below or the GIST website.
Undergraduate Degrees Available
| Subject | Type | Option | Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic Information Systems | Certificate of Art | ||
| Geography | Bachelor of Arts | ||
| Geography | Bachelor of Arts | Teaching Geography | |
| Geography | Bachelor of Arts | Community & Environmental Plng | |
| Geography | Bachelor of Science | ||
| Geography | Bachelor of Science | Physical Geography | |
| Geography | Minor | ||
| Geography | Minor | Teaching Geography | |
| Mountain Studies | Minor |
Department Faculty
Professor
- Sarah J. Halvorson, Professor
- Ulrich Kamp, Professor
- Anna Klene, Professor
- David Shively, Professor and Chair
- Christiane von Reichert, Professor
Adjunct
- Kyle Balke
Lecturer
- Rick Graetz, Lecturer
- Kevin McManigal, Lecturer & GIST Certificate Coordinator
Affiliates
- Heather Almquist, Faculty Affiliate
- Claudia J. Carr, Associate Professor of Environmental Science
- Faith Ann Heinsch
- Zachary A. Holden, Ecologist
- Ia Iashvili
- Irena Mrak, Assistant Research Professor
- Tamara Wall
Emeritus
- John Donahue, Emeritus Professor
- Jeffrey Gritzner, Emeritus Professor
- Darshan S. Kang, Emeritus Professor
- Paul Wilson, Emeritus Professor