Departmental Honors
The Geography Honors Program is designed for highly motivated Geography and Geography/Environmental major students who are interested in completing a two-quarter research project (GEOG 198A, 198B) with a final thesis paper under the supervision of one or two Faculty Advisors. Students normally participate in the Geography Honors Program during their senior year.
Course Descriptions
Students should enroll in the courses in consecutive quarters.
GEOG 198A: GEOG 198A is to be devoted to discussion and planning of the honors thesis, a literature review, and research investigation and data collection. Students must also have a written plan for GEOG 198B.
GEOG 198B: GEOG 198B should be focused on completing analysis and investigation, which culminates in a submitted thesis.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the Geography Honors Program, students must have fulfilled the following:
- At least a 3.5 GPA in the Major
- At least a 3.0 overall GPA
- Secured a Faculty Advisor(s)
Choosing a Faculty Advisor
Once a student has a topic in mind, they may find more information about the Geography faculty and their research interests on the People section of the Geography website. In most cases, students approach a faculty member with whom they have taken a course, but most importantly, students are encouraged to investigate professors who are involved in similar research interests.
In special cases and via approval from the Undergraduate Committee, students may work with a Faculty Advisor outside of the Geography Department. Students must consult with the Student Affairs Officer in this regard prior to enrolling in Geography Departmental Honors.
How to Enroll
Once students secure a Faculty Advisor(s), they must create a GEOG 198A contract in the first quarter and GEOG 198B contract in the second quarter of research via MyUCLA (click ‘Contract Courses’). Contracts must be signed by the Faculty Advisor and submitted to the Geography Student Affairs Officer in 1255 Bunche Hall before Friday of Week 2 (the Department Chair’s signature is not required).
Page Requirement
Students are expected to produce a thesis that is comparable in length to a standard journal publication in that field.
Honors Distinction
In order to graduate with Departmental Honors in Geography, the student must:
- Graduate with a major GPA of 3.5 or above
- Graduate with an overall GPA of 3.0 or above
- Complete the Geography Honors courses (GEOG 198A, 198B) with an A- or better
Highest Honors Distinction
In order to graduate with Departmental Highest Honors in Geography, the student must:
- Graduate with a major GPA of 3.7 or above
- Graduate with an overall GPA of 3.0 or above
- Complete the Geography Honors courses (GEOG 198A, 198B) with an A or better
- Produce a thesis that is deemed “exceptional” by the Faculty Advisor(s)
Submission of Thesis
Once the thesis is approved by the Faculty Advisor(s), it must be submitted to the Student Affairs Officer in PDF format. The Department will post theses on the department website.
