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.
Geography B.A./B.S.
In addition to meeting the general University degree requirements, the major in geography must complete at least 60 credits in geography courses, including 12 credits in each of the following areas: geographic techniques, physical geography, regional geography, and human geography—as detailed below. Of the courses presented for the major, 12 credits are in required courses (Geog 210, Geog 230, and Geog 380), and at least 36 Geography credit hours must be at the upper division, to include 16 hours at the 400-level. Geog 230 may be counted for human or regional geography, but not for both. Geog 496, or Stat 243 and Stat 244, or equivalent is required for the B.S. degree.
Requirements
Physical Geography: (12 credits)
Human Geography: (12 credits)
Regional Geography: (12 credits)
Geographic Techniques: (12 credits)
| Geog 380U | Maps and Geographic Information | 4 |
| Geog 407 | Seminar in Research Skills | 4 |
| Geog 420 | Field Methods in Physical Geography | 4 |
| Geog 425 | Field Methods in Human Geography | 4 |
| Geog 475 | Digital Compilation and Database Design | 4 |
| Geog 480 | Remote Sensing and Image Analysis | 4 |
| Geog 481 | Digital Image Analysis I: Introduction | 4 |
| Geog 482 | Digital Image Analysis II: Advanced Remote Sensing | 4 |
| Geog 484 | Cartographic Applications of GIS | 4 |
| Geog 485 | Map Design and Production | 4 |
| Geog 488/USP 591 | Geographic Information Systems I: Introduction | 4 |
| Geog 489 | Building a GIS Database with GPS | 4 |
| Geog 490 | GIS Programming | 4 |
| Geog 492/USP 592 | Geographic Information Systems II: Advanced GIS | 4 |
| Geog 493 | Digital Terrain Analysis | 4 |
| Geog 494 | GIS for Water Resources | 4 |
| Geog 495 | Maps, Models, and GIS | 4 |
| Geog 496 | Introduction to Spatial Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| Geog 497 | Advanced Spatial Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
Geography Electives (12)
Total Credit Hours: 60
Course taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling department major requirements.
All courses used to satisfy the departmental major requirements must be graded C- or above.