Geography

Undergraduate

Geographers study the relationships between people, places, societies, and environments.

Program Overview

As a geography major or minor you will learn about the impacts of social, economic, environmental, and political processes that shape spaces and places, the science of earth systems, the human dimensions of global environmental and climate change, and the use of geographic information science (GIS) and remote sensing techniques to represent and analyze data and knowledge at different spatial scales

Community Voices

Spotlight on Geography students and alums

Kiana Lussier ’13 Coordinator, New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties

Selecting courses in your first year

You may consider enrolling in any of the following courses, which have no prerequisites:

  • Geography 105 World Regional Geography
  • Geography 205 Mapping and Spatial Analysis
  • Geography 206 Political Geography
  • Geography 210 GIS for the Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Geology 104 Introduction to Geology and Physical Geography

Courses and Requirements

Learning Goals

Students majoring/minoring in geography draw upon their individual interests and passions to chart unique paths through the discipline. Yet, within this diversity, students take courses that are informed by the following key learning goals:

  • Understand and use geographic concepts of place, space, and scale to explore human-environment relations.
  • Recognize the physical processes that shape the patterns of the earth’s surface, including landforms, climate, and ecosystems.
  • Explore the many sub-disciplines of geography.
  • Apply geographic methods, theories, and perspectives to critically tackle pressing societal questions.
  • Articulate geographic research questions and demonstrate effective reading and writing skills.
  • Apply mapping and geospatial technologies to analyze geographic data and solve geographic problems.
  • Understand and utilize basic quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Contact Us

The Geology and Geography Department oversees the programs in both Geology (the dynamic processes that shape our planet) and Geography (the relationships between people, places, societies and the environment).

Debra LaBonte
  • Academic Department Coordinator

Next Steps

Apply to Mount Holyoke

Mount Holyoke seeks intellectually curious applicants who understand the value of a liberal arts education and are driven by a love of learning. As a women's college that is gender diverse, we welcome applications from female, trans and non-binary students.

Financing your education

Everyone’s financial situation is unique, and we’re here to make sure cost does not get in the way of an exceptional education.