Undergraduate

OVERVIEW

The Geography Department offers two undergraduate majors that lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree, and three minors. Our majors prepare students for employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors (in environmental analysis, assessment, and management, map making and remote sensing, regional analysis, economic and urban spatial analysis, and teaching) and for graduate study in law, management, urban and regional planning, education, other biophysical and social sciences, and applied programs, as well as in Geography.

For information about the majors and/or minors in Geography, or for general questions, send email to undergraduate@geog.ucla.edu. You will receive a response within 1 – 2 days.

GEOGRAPHY MAJOR and MINOR

Designed to develop and deepen your ability to interpret and explain the occurrence, distribution, and interrelationships of the earth’s physical and social elements. Geographers examine – where are things located; why are they located in that manner; and how their location affects them? The geographer’s challenge is to provide continuing interpretation of the constantly changing physical and human landscapes of the world.

GEOGRAPHY/ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MAJOR and MINOR

Intended to develop and deepen your understanding of environmental issues. It emphasizes a systems approach to gaining an understanding of major environmental problems facing our society and the world at large. You will gain an understanding of geographical perspectives of human impacts on natural systems, and on the implications of environmental change on local, regional and global human systems.

This is an especially attractive major for liberal arts students as well as those who want to specialize in areas such as international issues, development, the environment and remote-sensing GIS. Its body of theory and its methodologies provide ideas and techniques applicable to a wide range of questions about our environment; it also provides both the regional and world perspectives required of responsible citizens.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGIES (GIS&T) MINOR

The GIS&T Minor provides students with cutting-edge technical knowledge and skills using state-of-the-art information technology, such as geographical information systems (GIS), satellite imagery and global positioning systems (GPS), which are in high demand in business, government and research. Upon completion of the minor, students are well-positioned to enter the workforce or to pursue advanced degrees in geography or other allied fields.