Welcome!
The Program in Geography provides students with the tools to understand the physical and social systems of the Earth so that they can play a role in addressing the critical environmental and social challenges of the 21st century. Sustainability challenges are all around us: from climate change, to vulnerabilities in the industrial food system, to the way we design cities. Therefore, it is important that people understand human-environment interaction, the science behind how ecosystems work, and the systems that must be changed in order to put solutions into place.
From the classroom to the real world
Our Degrees
To prepare students for solving the "grand challenges" of the 21st century, the Program in Geography offers you the following degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Environment, Sustainability and Geography (with optional Urban and Regional Studies Concentration)
Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science
Minors in Environment, Sustainability and Geography or Geographic Information Science
Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science
A Focus on Research
In addition to our exciting degree opportunities, the Program in Geography is also focused on student-centered research outside of the classroom. Throughout your academic career you will have the opportunity to work closely with our faculty members pursuing research that is of interest to you, that has a local impact, and that will make you more marketable once you graduate. Research opportunities include independent studies, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), the Sustainable Development Research Program (SDROP), and the department honors project.
A Focus on Community Collaboration
We pride ourselves on the close ties we've developed with the local community, and all majors are required to participate in our internship program. In the past students have worked with organizations such as:
St. Louis County; City of Duluth; Hartley Nature Center; Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve; Northern Harvest Great Lakes Food Bank; Arrowhead Regional Development Commission; National Weather Service; OneRoof; CHUM