BA in Geography/Master of Regional and City Planning in Norman United States | University of Oklahoma

The department offers three primary programs: Geography, Environmental Sustainability, and Geographic Information Science (GIS), each available as either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. These interconnected fields present fresh perspectives and methodologies for comprehending and stewarding our world. While closely related, each discipline maintains unique characteristics, opening diverse career avenues for students and professionals alike. Geography examines two fundamental aspects: spatial distributions (explaining why things are where they are) and human-environment interactions (how people engage with their surroundings in daily life). With a rich and occasionally contentious past, geography originated with world mapping that shaped narratives about global realities and ideals. Modern geography encompasses both cartography and critical analysis of maps' functions, extending far beyond mere map study. The field typically branches into three specializations: physical geography (analyzing Earth's natural landscapes and systems), human geography (investigating cultural, social, economic, and regional patterns), and GIS (focusing on spatial data systems, computational methods, and geographic visualization). Geography's unique strength lies in bridging natural and social sciences, making it particularly valuable for environmental and sustainability research.