The Bachelor of Science in Geography
7 Emphases = 1 Geography
Geography at
Brigham Young University focuses on our interdependent world: the
spatial relationships between the physical landscape, diverse
societies, and current events. The Geography major at
Brigham Young University nourishes a sense of curiosity about the world
around us, a desire to serve our local and global communities, and the
skills necesary to solve significant problems that are inherently
spatial. Hundreds of students major in geography to prepare for a
professional career or graduate study, or just because of an inherent
interest in exploring and understanding the world around them.
We
emphasize both
technical and critical thinking skills, including geographic
information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, statistics, data
collection, interpretation, and communication using the written and
spoken word, and visual data display: maps, charts,
and graphs.
Operating from the base of intellectual knowledge and skills
gained as Geography majors, our principal purpose is to prepare our
students to leave BYU with a moral commitment to live lives of faith,
to have an eternal thirst for knowledge, a willingness to serve in
family, church, and community affairs, and the knowledge and skills
so that they may be effective in their service.
What is Geography all about?
- Geography uses a spatial perspective to study a diverse subject matter, traditionally divided between human and physical
Geography. In recent years, a third focus of geography has been on problem-solving tools and methods that employ the spatial perspective, including statistics, geographic information systems, remote sensing, and cartography.
- Geographers study the complex reciprocal relationships
between human societies of the Earth and their natural environment.
- The
geographer's canvas is colored by place, space and time: recognizing
the great differences and dynamics in cultures, political systems,
economies, landscapes and environments across the world, and the links
between them.
- The study of geography includes a plurality of ways
of knowing and understanding the world, and the depth to which
individual specializations are studied will vary.
- Geographers are curious
about the world, and are able to discern the social and physical
environments through contemplative observation and rigorous field
research.
- Geographers understand the evolution and significance of the
distinctiveness of place and environment, including different ways of
considering those relationships, and a parallel understanding of the
significance of spatial linkages in social and physical processes.
- Geographers leverage conceptual and technical skills
to interpret, analyze, and solve geographical issues, including both
general communication abilities (e.g., writing), critical analysis
(e.g., statistics), geographic modeling, and geospatial technologies
(e.g., GIS, remote sensing)
Successful students in this degree will:
- Gain a higher level of reflective thinking concerning their "place"
in the world and their associated responsibilities with an emphasis on
situating secular knowledge within the context of revealed gospel
truths.
- Strengthen their initiative, motivation and discipline to observe our
complex world and use the geographic perspective to understand local
and global events.
- Learn to use communication and presentation skills, to work with
others in order to accomplish common goals, and to exhibit personal
behavior consistent with high moral and ethical standards.
- Develop proficiency in critical thinking and analysis by selecting,
applying, and evaluating theoretical models and empirical evidence that
leads to better understanding of place and space. Students will learn
how to solve problems by selecting, using, and evaluating a variety of
geographic data and methods--these include skills related to using the
library, primary and secondary data gathering techniques, and field
work. Students will also learn to consider their work reflectively,
including the broader consequences of the solutions they develop.
- Gain practical experierience by either working closely with a
faculty mentor on collaborative research or a capstone project, or in a
professional internship in their emphasis. These experiences emphasize
active learning, reflective analysis by the student on the continuity
and complementarity of geographic knowledge beyond the classroom, and
the development of the student's identity as a geographer and how he or
she can contribute to improvement in the human condition.
- Develop
personal attributes that are relevant to the world
beyond the classroom, including a desire for lifelong learning, a
desire to employ strong ethics and values in their work, a desire to
create quality work, and a desire to serve and improve the wider
community.
Which emphasis is right for me?
BYU Geography includes seven emphases, tailored to a variety of student interests and career paths:
- Global Studies focuses on the general principles of geography, and their application to international issues.
- Physical Environment Studies
focuses on the application of physical and environmental geography to
the study of environmental change, and the management of human actions
in the physical environment.
- Travel and Tourism Studies
looks at the worldwide tourism industry with a geographic perspective,
understanding global and local patterns of travel, and professional
tourism planning.
- Urban, Rural, and Environmental Planning focuses on professional skills that employ geographic principles in the planning of future land use in cities and public lands.
- Geographic Information Science
focuses on geospatial technologies, based on the principles of
geography, that are used in other areas of geography and in a wide
variety of other disciplines.
- Geospatial Intelligence
focuses on the application of geospatial technologies, geographic
principles, and situational understanding (e.g., culture) to solve
issues relevant to national security.
- Geography Teaching prepares students to teach geography and social studies at the secondary (7-12) level.
