Undergraduate programs

The Geography Department at Portland State University links environmental studies and cultural studies in a program centered on environmental issues, social and cultural landscapes, sustainability in urban and natural areas, and Geographic Information Science. Coursework emphasizes systematic and regional approaches to understanding the physical environment and human-environment interactions. Techniques classes (in GIS, remote sensing, cartography, and spatial analysis) provide the tools to analyze complex local, regional, and global phenomena. Access to the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Mountains provides ample opportunity for fieldwork-based classes and opportunities for research. The PSU Department of Geography is an excellent choice for undergraduate and graduate students with interests in the linkages between human and natural systems.

Faculty engage in local, regional, and international research projects in hydrology, water resources, biogeography, sustainable development, land use analysis, climate change, cultural ecology and cultural landscapes, the urban environment, geographic education, and geographic information science. Ongoing faculty research sites in international areas include East Asia, high Asia, Latin America, and Mediterranean Europe. 

Geography is in the School of the Environment and participates in the Earth, Environment and Society (EES) Ph.D. Program. Over 120 undergraduate majors and 30 graduate students participate in two departmental groups, the Friends of Geography and the Student Chapter of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing/Columbia River Region. Several research groups and outreach programs in the department provide additional job and internship opportunities for interested students in public agencies and businesses in such fields as planning, environmental management, GIS, and cartography. 

The geography program gives students an appreciation and understanding of the human environment on global, regional, and local scales. It provides background and requisite training for careers in resource, planning, environmental, or education fields. Geography majors find work in urban and natural resource management, spatial/GIS analysis, urban planning, map design and production, and statistical analysis. Geography is the lead department on campus for training in GIS, remote sensing, cartography, and spatial analysis.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Geography B.A./B.S.

Geography Minor

Water Resources Minor

Geographic Information Systems Minor

Geography Secondary Education Program

Geographic Information Systems Minor

Requirements

To earn a minor in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) a student must complete a minimum of 28 credits in geography (at least 16 credits must be taken in residence at Portland State University), to include the following:

Core courses: (16 credits)

Geog 210Physical Geography

4

or

Geog 230Environment and Society: Global Perspectives

4

 

Geog 488/USP 591Geographic Information Systems I: Introduction

4

Geog 492/USP 592Geographic Information Systems II: Advanced GIS

4

Plus three additional courses from the list of electives: (12 credits)

Geog 475Digital Compilation and Database Design

4

Geog 480Remote Sensing and Image Analysis

4

Geog 481Digital Image Analysis I: Introduction

4

Geog 482Digital Image Analysis II: Advanced Remote Sensing

4

Geog 484Cartographic Applications of GIS

4

Geog 485Map Design and Production

4

Geog 489Building a GIS Database with GPS

4

Geog 490GIS Programming

4

Geog 493Digital Terrain Analysis

4

Geog 494GIS for Water Resources

4

Geog 495Maps, Models, and GIS

4

Geog 496Visualization of Spatial Data

4

Geog 497Spatial Quantitative Analysis

4

All courses submitted to satisfy requirements for the minor in GIS must be graded and passed with a C- or better. At least 16 credits must be taken in residence at PSU.

Total Credit Hours: 28

Students who are also working toward the major in Geography must take (in addition to the core courses for the GIS minor) at least 12 credits from the list of electives that will be uniquely applied to the GIS minor.

Students considering the GIS minor are strongly encouraged to meet with a geography adviser to work out an instructional program that best meets their needs.