2017-2018 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]
Geography, B.S.
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Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate in written and oral forms. These outcomes are evaluated together because they are connected for our students who often are in careers where their written work is the substance of their oral presentations. We see the linkage of the two to be the most important aspect.
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- Students will demonstrate understanding of and the use of one geographical technique such as GIS, remote sensing, cartography, or spatial statistics.
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- Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the central themes within the discipline.
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- Students will be prepared for careers in the field or for graduate study in geography.
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Basic Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degrees (120 Hours)
Note: Bachelor of Science degrees with majors in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, Geological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology or Statistics, and the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a major in Chemistry require 120 hours. All other Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 128 hours.
- Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
- Major
- Cognate or Minor Requirements (optional for BSIS majors)
- Electives
1. Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
CMW: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours)
- Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
ARP: Carolina Core Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (A Minimum of 12 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 12 hours, as specified by the major program, to include:
SCI: Carolina Core Scientific Literacy (8 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- Two 4-credit hour laboratory science courses.
GFL: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Communicate Effectively in More than One Language (0-9 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required for all baccalaureate degrees. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.
GHS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (6 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on U.S. History: HIST 111, 112, 214, or another GHS approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category and
- One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on non-U.S. History: HIST 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, GERM 280, FAMS 300, or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category.
GSS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (6 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
AIU: Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 Hours)
Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements:
- Up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses. At least one of these requirements must be satisfied by a course not applied elsewhere in general education. (3-9 hours)
CMS: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Speech (3 Hours)
INF: Carolina Core Information Literacy (0-3 Hours)
VSR: Carolina Core Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility (3 Hours)
Other Required General Education Courses for the College of Arts and Sciences
Fine Arts and Humanities Requirements (3 Hours)
- Bachelor of Science degrees require 3 Hours in the fine arts. (May be taken as Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding.)
- Bachelor of Science degrees require an additional 3 Hours in the fine arts or humanities.
2. Geography Major
A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.
Major Prerequisites (3 Hours)
One of the following:
Students must choose one of the following three concentrations:
A. Physical/Environmental Geography
Required Courses (24 Hours)
- Select one course from:
- GEOG 495 - Seminar in Geography
- Geography Electives (18 Hours)
- Select 5-6 courses from the following: GEOG 330, 343, 346, 347, 348, 360, 365, 370, 371, 516, 530, 545, 546, 547, 549, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 573, and 590.
- GEOG 201 or 202 may be used if not used to satisfy the major prerequisite.
Note:
At least two courses for the major must be from the 500-level. GEOG 595 can be used to fulfill up to 3 hours of geography elective credit, but not the 500-level requirement.
B. Geographic Information Science
Required Courses (24-25 Hours)
- GEOG 363 - Geographic Information Systems and two of the following:
- Three of the following: GEOG 349, 535, 541, 542, 551, 552, 554, 562, 563, 564, 565, 575 (GEOG 341, 345 or 531 may be used if not used above)
- GEOG 495 - Seminar in Geography
- Geography Elective (3-4 Hours): Select one non-GIScience course at the 200-level or above with advisor’s approval.
Note:
At least two courses for the major must be from the 500-level. GEOG 595 can be used to fulfill up to 3 hours of geography elective credit, but not the 500-level requirement.
Required Courses (24 Hours)
- Select 15 hours from the following: GEOG 330, 341, 343, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 360, 363, 365, 370, 371, 516, 530, 531, 535, 541, 542, 545, 546, 547, 549, 551, 552, 554, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 573, 575, 590. Courses used to fulfill major prerequisites may not be used to fulfill these requirements.
- GEOG 495 - Seminar in Geography
- Geography Elective (6 Hours): Select two courses at the 200-level or above with advisor’s approval.
Note:
At least two courses for the major must be from the 500-level. GEOG 595 can be used to fulfill up to 3 hours of geography elective credit, but not the 500-level requirement.
BS with Distinction in Geography (36 Hours)
Available to students majoring in Geography who wish to participate in significant research activities in their major field under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Prerequisite:
- A minimum GPA of 3.50 in the major, and 3.30 overall, is required to apply for a BA or BS with Distinction in Geography.
Requirements:
- Students must submit a written application for the BS with Distinction in Geography at least eight months before completion of the degree.
- Written sponsorship agreement from a Geography faculty mentor on file in the department.
- An established thesis committee consisting of a tenure-track faculty member in Geography and at least one other tenure-track or research faculty member at the University of South Carolina.
- A written thesis demonstrating significant original work and approved by the thesis committee.
- A public presentation of the Senior Thesis research.
- General major requirements, plus 12 additional credit hours including:
Notes:
- Students who successfully fulfill all of these requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the major and 3.30 overall will be awarded their degree with “Distinction in Geography” upon graduation.
- South Carolina Honors College students satisfying the above requirements will graduate with “Honors from the South Carolina Honors College” and with “Distinction in Geography.”
3. Cognate or Minor Requirements (12-18 Hours) for B.S. Degrees
Cognate
The cognate is intended to support the course work in the major. The cognate must consist of twelve (12) hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to the major. The cognate may be taken in one or more departments or programs, depending on the interests of the student and the judgment of the advisor.
Courses offered by departments and programs that are acceptable for cognate credit are outlined in the section titled Courses Acceptable for Cognate Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences .
For cognate course offerings in other colleges, consult the appropriate sections of this bulletin. Some major programs have specific cognate requirements.
It should be emphasized that the cognate is not a second set of elective courses to be chosen at random by the student. The cognate must be approved by the major advisor as being related to the major field of study. Students are urged to consult their major advisors for specific requirements in their major.
Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the cognate.
For Bachelor of Science degrees, grades of D are acceptable for completion of the cognate requirement, except where restricted by the major program.
Minor
In place of the cognate a student in the College of Arts and Sciences may choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. (Some minors in the sciences require a minimum of16 hours.) The subject area of the minor may be related to the major. Students pursuing interdisciplinary minors who wish to use courses in their major department for minor credit must petition the College Committee on Scholastic Standards and Petitions for permission to do so.
The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. It differs from the cognate inasmuch as the courses must be concentrated in one area and must follow a structured sequence. Interdisciplinary minors can be designed with the approval of the assistant dean for academic affairs and advising.
Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University
A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z .
4. Electives for B.S. Degrees
No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification of inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.
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