西北大學(xué)

Geography is the academic discipline responsible for the study of place and location: where things are, why they are there, and how they are related to other patterns of distribution. Although geography is often counted as one of the social sciences, it is also a natural science because an understanding of human location patterns requires knowledge of the physical earth. The concept of “environment” lies at the very heart of geographical study because it is human society that is environed by the physical world. Geography emphasizes that the physical and the human should be studied together.

Studying Geography

Students who elect to major or minor in geography come from virtually all fields of study in the university, including engineering, economics, earth science, environmental sciences, education, journalism, and anthropology. Many have found that geography makes an excellent subject to present along with their other studies and skills when applying for jobs or seeking admission to graduate and professional schools.

The Program in Geography offers three types of courses to students who seek knowledge about the physical earth and its various modes of human occupancy. Introductory courses develop global perspectives on environments that are relevant to many social and physical science fields. Courses in regional geography present a unique way of understanding how nature and culture have interacted over time to give character to specific places or regions. Advanced courses focus on the concepts and techniques of professional geography, especially on the construction of maps and on the uses of maps in solving geographical problems.

Those who wish to specialize in geographical studies may elect to do so by completing either the adjunct major or the minor. The adjunct major requires students to complete a major in some other field in addition to their geographical studies.

Adjunct Major in Geography

Program courses: 211 or 235; 220-1,2; 341; and 3 additional geography courses, including 1 unit of research (399).

Related courses: ECON 201, 202; MATH 220-1,2; Stat 210 or equivalent.

Geography is an adjunct major, or 'second major,' which means that students must also complete a major in some other subject.