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DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGYBachelor of Arts in Geography | Bachelor of Science in Geography | Social Sciences Composite - Geography Emphasis | Social Sciences Composite-Geography Emphasis (Bachelor of Science) | Teacher Certification | Minor in Geography | Minor in Geographic Information Systems Chair: Marcus Gillespie (936) 294-1233 Faculty: Don Albert, Chris Baldwin, Cody Barron, Brian Cooper, Marcus Gillespie, Gang Gong, Mark Leipnik, Dennis Netoff, Jim Tiller, Betsy Torrez, and C. Allen Williams Website: http://www.shsu.edu/~gel_geo The Department of Geography and Geology is an excellent blend of two disciplines that have a common thread. Both programs are concerned with the physical environment, its impact on and the ways that humans have modified the natural environment. Students may major or minor in either program. MissionThe primary mission of the Department of Geography and Geology is to provide students of the two complimentary 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 PROGRAMCoordinator: Marcus Gillespie (936) 294-1233 Faculty: Don Albert, Cody Barron, Gang Gong, Marcus Gillespie, Mark Leipnik, Dennis Netoff, Jim Tiller and C. Allen Williams Website: http://www.shsu.edu/~gel_geo/ Geography is the study of the earth and its people. Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT about memorizing place-names and coloring maps. On the contrary, it is about understanding the world, and this includes an understanding of both the natural environment and the cultural world of politics, economics, and religion. Because of the breadth of its subject matter, it integrates information from a wide variety of other disciplines and examines that information from a spatial perspective. For those individuals that are curious about the world, there are few disciplines that will satisfy that curiosity as much as Geography. The relevance of geography is highlighted by the fact that the world’s population recently passed the six billion mark and it continues to grow rapidly, thereby creating a wide variety of problems that we must try to solve. If an individual counted one person on earth each second, it would take about 200 years to count all of the people on earth! Because of the rapid rate of population growth, three billion more people will be added to the world’s population by the year 2050. With nine billion people to be housed, fed and educated over the next few decades, while resources are becoming increasingly scarce and damage to the environment accelerates, many environmental and social issues are becoming more acute and difficult to solve. For this reason, geography has become increasingly focused on the nature of the relationship between humans and their environment. The resource limits that every society must deal with also affect such things as the social, political and economic characteristics of a society and the way in which that society interacts with others. Through a study of these things, our students develop an understanding and appreciation of the fact that we live in an increasingly interdependent world in which the welfare of the environment and of other cultures affects all of us. In a world of global markets, global transportation systems, and global telecommunications, such knowledge is of fundamental importance for helping people to better understand one another and for helping them to deal with environmental, social, and economic issues. Academic Programs
HighlightsLocated on the third floor of the Lee Drain Building, the department maintains both a Geographic Information System (GIS) lab and a combination GIS and remote sensing lab. These labs contain state-of-the-art computers, software and scanners. We also have a van for fieldtrips, a Zodiac watercraft used for field research, a coring device capable of taking 20-foot core samples, highquality GPS receivers, and a large-scale flume to demonstrate sedimentation processes. In order to enhance learning, all of our rooms are outfitted with video-projection systems, and our lecture rooms have sound systems and dedicated computers with Internet access that are used by the instructors for teaching purposes. Many of our students obtain internships and work with faculty members on research projects. Career OpportunitiesBecause of the breadth of geography, there are a wide variety of career opportunities for geography graduates. These opportunities include careers in the following:
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 GIS 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 GIS experience exceeds the supply. To prepare our students for this field, we established an Interdisciplinary Minor in GIS that consists of both Computer Science and Geography courses. The combination of geographic and computer science skills 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. Suggested Minors
Student Organizations
InternshipsEducational and research opportunities using GIS are available through a variety of internship opportunities that will increase students’ skills and employment opportunities. Scholarships
Request information from: B. Marcus Gillespie, Chair, Department of Geography and Geology, Box 2148, Huntsville, TX 77341-2148. (936)294-1233 Program Specific RequirementsStudents must meet the academic standards established by the university. CurriculumRequired Courses for Major. All geography majors must take the following courses: GEO 131/111, 265, 266, 330, 331, 369, and 2 technical/applied courses from GEO 362, 363, 433, 444, or 448. (It is advisable to take GEO 362 before taking GEO 363, 25 hrs.444 or 448.). In addition to these requirements, students must take the courses shown below for the respective degree.
Major in Geography
Major in Geography
Major in Social Sciences Composite
Major in Social Sciences Composite
Teacher CertificationStudents seeking a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a major in Social Sciences Composite (Geography Emphasis) and teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 8-12) should use their 15 elective hours and an additional 9 hours to satisfy the required certification requirements. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree with a major in Social Sciences Composite (Geography Emphasis) and teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 8-12) should use their 13 elective hours and an additional 11 hours to satisfy the required certification requirements. The required education courses are listed below and with teacher certification, the BA degree total is 137 hours and the BS degree total is 139 hours. Those students not seeking certification should use their electives to fulfill the University requirement for advanced elective hours – preferably in their major or minor field of study. SED 383, 394, 464, 480, 496, 497, RDG 392, SED 374 or PSY 374 (24 hours) For teacher certification, no grade below C in social science courses is accepted. Minor in GeographyGEO 265, 266, 330, 369, plus 6 hours advanced geography. Minor In GIS
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