GEOGRAPHIC SCIENCE

For information about the Geography programs contact: Dr. Helmut Kraenzle

The Geographic Science Program empowers, inspires and motivates students to become competent critical thinkers prepared for lifelong learning, who will respond to intellectual challenges with interest, excitement and competence, and who will see themselves as global citizens actively involved in the world around them.

The program graduates majors who are confident in their abilities as geographers, prepared for a lifetime of learning in geography, who have the skills to make a professional contribution to the field, to compete successfully in the job market, to successfully pursue graduate degrees and who are highly qualified for careers in research and development – equipped for long term success as professionals in the field of geography.

Concentrations

Applied Geographic Information Science (AGIS) Concentration

JMU Geography graduates with an AGIS concentration have been able to gain professional employment with government and industry or to go on to graduate programs. Public agencies where they have found employment include local and regional planning agencies, mapping organizations such as the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, intelligence agencies such as the CIA and the National Photographic Intelligence Center, and also in the environmental science field with the Environmental Protection Agency.

JMU AGIS graduates have also found opportunities in industry with companies such as Earth Satellite Corporation, Space Imaging, Lockheed, SPOT Image, Logicom, SAIC, Pacific Meridian, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, and many others.
[Learn more about this concentration]

Environmental Studies Concentration

Geography students trained in environmental and resource analysis, particularly those specializing in land-use planning, recreation planning, and/or resource and environmental management, find employment in both the private and public sector.

Private environmental organizations and consulting firms, as well as local, state and federal government agencies have all hired students completing the Environmental Studies Concentration. Principal employers include the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.
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Global Studies Concentration

A student who completes the Global Studies concentration finds employment in governmental and non-governmental agencies such as the State Department, the CIA, international population bureaus and relief agencies, and economic development organizations. A student with a global studies background is also prepared for graduate school, law school and service opportunities such as the Peace Corps.
[Learn more about this concentration]

For more information about GIS Curriculum, Visit the JMU Catalog

Goals of the Program

Through the study of geography students will:

understand the theories, models and analytical methods that help explain spatial patterns.
understand the power and use of geographic tools such as maps, quantitative methods, aerial imagery, geographic information systems and global positioning systems in geographic analysis.
develop the ability to use maps and other geographic representations and technologies to acquire, process and report geographic information.
understand the relationship between cultural and physical processes within the spatial framework.
understand the major problems facing humankind through examination of the interactions and relationships among humans, and between humans and the physical environment.
develop an awareness of how cultural similarities and differences are manifested in both the human and physical environment.
understand how the physical environment affects human systems and how the physical environment is modified by human activities.
understand the value of the inter- and multi- disciplinary nature of geographical study and analysis.
understand the value of the geographer’s perspective in explaining global diversity.
understand the historical and philosophical development of geography and its sub-disciplines.
understand how to detect and analyze the spatial structure of phenomena using spatial models.