Physical Geography

This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.umt.edu/.

In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a B.S. degree in geography, a student pursuing the option in physical geography must complete additional requirements, including ERTH 303N and GPHY 317

CHMY 121N
& CHMY 123		Introduction to General Chemistry
and Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry		6
CHMY 141N
& CHMY 143N		College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry II		8
PHSX 205N
& PHSX 207N		College Physics I
and College Physics II		8
PHSX 215N
& PHSX 217N		Fund of Physics w/Calc I
and Fund of Physics w/Calc II		8
BIOO 105NIntroduction to Botany3
BIOE 172NIntroductory Ecology3

Bachelor of Science - Geography; Physical Geography Concentration

College Humanities & Sciences

Degree Specific Credits: 47

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.5

Catalog Year: 2017-2018

Note: Depending on the courses selected the degree requirements vary from 47 to 56 credits.

General Education Requirements

Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog. 

Summary

Introduction to Geography7
Regional Geography Course3
Geographic Methods6
Upper Division Systematic Geography9
Physical Geography
Geography and Society
Human Environment Interaction
Capstone1
Upper Division Writing3
Physical Geography Concentration Science Electives6-10
Biology
Chemistry
College Chemistry
College Physics
Physics with Calculus
Physical Geography Option Core6-9
Advanced Math3-4
General Ed Math Fundamentals3-4
Total Hours47-56

Introduction to Geography

Rule: Must complete all of the following courses:

GPHY 111NIntro to Physical Geography3
GPHY 112NIntro to Phys Geography Lab1
GPHY 121SHuman Geography3
Total Hours7

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Regional Geography Course

Select at least one of the following:3
GPHY 141S
Geography of World Regions
GPHY 144
Glacier National Park in Winter
GPHY 241
Montana
GPHY 245X
The Middle East
GPHY 342
North America
GPHY 344
Crown of the Continent
GPHY 347
Regional Geography (Multiple Regions)
GPHY 348
Field Studies in Geography
GPHY 444
High Asia
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Geographic Methods

Rule: Must complete all of the following courses

GPHY 284Intro to GIS and Cartography3
GPHY 385Field Techniques3
Total Hours6

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Upper Division Systematic Geography

Rule: Must complete the following subcategories of courses

Minimum Required Grade: C-

9 Total Credits Required

Physical Geography

Note: These courses simultaneously count towards the Upper Division Systematic Geography-Physical Geography and the Physical Geography Concentration core (see below).

Select at least one of the following:3
ERTH 303N
Weather and Climate
GPHY 311N
Biogeography
GPHY 314
Global Mountain Environments
GPHY 317
Geomorphology
GPHY 438
Mountain Field Study
GPHY 525
Advanced Physical Geography
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Geography and Society

Select at least one of the following:3
GPHY 323S
Economic Geography of Rural Areas
GPHY 421
Sustainable Cities
GPHY 434
Food and Famine
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Human Environment Interaction

Select at least one of the following:3
GPHY 335
Water Policy
GPHY 338
Mountains and Society
GPHY 432
Human Role Environmental Change
GPHY 433
Cultural Ecology
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Capstone

Rule: Seniors must complete the following course

Note: Seniors must enroll in GPHY 400 in fall, attend GPHY 500

GPHY 400Geography Capstone1
Total Hours1

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Upper Division Writing

Rule: Must complete 1 of the following courses

Note: GPHY 335 will also count toward the upper division core requirements. GPHY 499

Other science-based writing courses (e.g. GEO 320, GEO 499, BIOO 470, BIOO 475

GPHY 335Water Policy3
or GPHY 499 senior thesis / capstone
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Physical Geography Option Science Electives

Rule: Must complete 1 of the following science categories

6-10 Total Credits Required

Biology

Rule: May complete the following courses

BIOE 172NIntroductory Ecology3
BIOO 105NIntroduction to Botany3
Total Hours6

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Chemistry

Rule: May complete the following courses

CHMY 121NIntroduction to General Chemistry3
CHMY 123Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry3
Total Hours6

Minimum Required Grade: C-

College Chemistry

Rule: May complete the following courses

CHMY 141N
& CHMY 142N		College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Lab		5
CHMY 143N
& CHMY 144N		College Chemistry II
and College Chemistry II Lab		5
Total Hours10

Minimum Required Grade: C-

College Physics

Rule: May complete the following courses

PHSX 205NCollege Physics I4
PHSX 206NCollege Physics I Laboratory1
PHSX 207NCollege Physics II4
PHSX 208NCollege Physics II Laboratory1
Total Hours10

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Physics with Calculus

Rule: May complete the following courses

PHSX 215NFund of Physics w/Calc I4
PHSX 216NPhysics Laboratory I w/Calc1
PHSX 217NFund of Physics w/Calc II4
PHSX 218NPhysics Laboratory II w/Calc1
Total Hours10

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Physical Geography Concentration Core

Rule: Must complete all of the following courses

Note: One course can be used to satisfy the Upper Division Systematic Geography – Physical Geography. Substitutions which broaden the student’s curriculum may be approved by their advisor.

ERTH 303NWeather and Climate3
GPHY 311NBiogeography3
GPHY 317Geomorphology3
Total Hours9

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Advanced Math

Rule: Must complete 1 additional math or statistics course in addition to the one chosen for Math Fundamentals. For instance, if M 171 has been taken, M 172

Minimum Required Grade: C-

3-4 Total Credits Required

Statistics Course (Math Fundamentals)

Note: Gen Ed credits do not count towards degree credits.

Select one of the following:3-4
M 162
Applied Calculus
M 171
Calculus I
M 172
Calculus II
STAT 451
Statistical Methods I
Total Hours3-4

Minimum Required Grade: C-