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Kansas State University

Get the Geographic Edge

 

Geographers study the differences in human activities from one place to another, assess human impacts and responses to the environment, and resolve vital questions about current national and international situations. Geographers also pursue more theoretical inquiry into the major problems of human society by examining spatial structure and processes using various techniques of mathematical and cartographic analysis of spatial phenomena, computer mapping, geographic information systems, and remote sensing. A typical and traditional problem in geography concerns human impact on the land. Air pollution, contamination of waterways, decaying urban areas, destruction of the landscape, and the like, can only be well understood by examining the interrelations of factors such as technology, population density, legal structure, affluence, cultural traditions, and environment.

Options

 

Students of geography may pursue a traditional major in geography in the form of either a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or the bachelor of science (B.S.) degree.  Students may also earn a geography minor, choose the geography pre-planning option, or seek an Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

 

Student Learning Outcomes for Geography Majors (B.A. and B.S. Degrees)

 

The Department of Geography at Kansas State University is an academic community of faculty, staff and students who are committed to excellent in undergraduate teaching and advising. Upon completion of the B.A. or B.S. degree, Geography majors should be able to:

  1. Interpret maps and use them to solve geographic problems;
  2. Comprehend and associate geographic patterns at various spatial scales;
  3. Understand the processes and patterns of the physical world and how human actions impact and interact with natural systems; and
  4. Address, solve, and communicate spatial problems using geographic techniques, including geographic information systems (GIS).

Approved January 29, 2004

 

Career Opportunities

 

Career opportunities in geography are diverse and employment prospects after receipt of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree are excellent.

Employment opportunities include positions in business, government, and education. Federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, National Imagery and Mapping Agency, Bureau of the Census, and Bureau of Land Management employ numerous geographers each year, particularly those with environmental or spatial techniques and analysis expertise.  State and local agencies employ geographers with specialties in many areas, including environmental geography, physical geography, health, cultural geography, planning, and spatial techniques.  Geographers with training in geospatial techniques such as cartography, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) are also valued in the private sector by a variety of businesses.

The geographer’s training in location analysis, social and environmental problems, and a variety of spatial techniques including remote sensing, geographic information systems, and computer cartography, make the geographer particularly valuable in the private sector.  Job titles such as geographic information systems manager, environmental planner, market researcher, and risk analyst are just a few of the varied positions held by geographers in business.