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The bachelor’s degree in geography at the University of Nevada, Reno examines the relationships between people and their environments and the spatial dimensions of today’s most pressing challenges. Through tailored coursework, you may complete a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts tailored to your interests. Through the program, you develop graphical, observational and analytical skills; learn to collect, analyze and present data using geographic information systems and other tools; and apply geographic knowledge to address complex environmental and social issues. Graduates are prepared to analyze changing relationships between people and places and to pursue careers or further study related to urban and environmental change.
As the only geography program in Nevada, the Department of Geography at the University of Nevada, Reno equips students to address challenges such as climate change, environmental justice and spatial inequality. With training in geographic information systems, fieldwork and spatial analysis, students learn to interpret complex patterns shaping communities and landscapes.
The College of Science offers educational opportunities in pure and applied physical sciences, earth sciences, life sciences, and mathematics. Professors in the College frequently earn statewide teaching excellence awards and are pioneers in their respective fields, with access to high-powered scientific facilities and resources to perform research on all seven continents. The College also encompasses three public museums that offer research and community engagement opportunities: the iconic Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, the Museum of Natural History and the W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum.
The NevadaTeach program at the University of Nevada, Reno provides you with all of the coursework to pursue a teaching license at the middle or high school level, while earning a comprehensive and marketable degree in your STEM discipline. Open the door to a world of career options while helping to improve education in Nevada.
You can customize your courseload to focus on one of four main topics of concentration in geography.
The geotechnologies concentration emphasizes proficiency in geo-spatial methods. Students taking geotechnologies courses will learn the tools, methods and software necessary to manage and analyze spatial data and information. Students interested in this area of geography are encouraged to enroll in the GIS certificate. The courses and certificate can be applied toward becoming a certified GIS Professional (GISP) from the GIS Certification Institute. Regardless of other interests, courses in this area are recommended for students interested in employment as a GIS or remote sensing analyst, cartographer, planner or graduate study in geography or related geotechnology field.
Courses in this area of focus provide students with an understanding of climate, climate change, ecological processes, water management, and the interactions between water, climate and life. Many courses in this area also explore human impacts on these systems and how they influence society. Students studying in this area of focus will understand the climate system, the environment, human impacts on the climate and environment and environmental sustainability. Many of these courses are valuable training for students interested in employment in environmental consulting firms, planning agencies, numerous government agencies (e.g. EPA, USGS, NRCS) and non-governmental organizations.
Decision-making regarding future use of renewable and non-renewable resources requires an interdisciplinary approach that engages with the physical, economic, and political processes that govern human interactions with the natural world. In addition understanding the role that humans play in shaping and being impacted by the natural world is critical to sustainable development, natural hazards and the research methods and policy tools used to understand and allocate the use of natural resources. These courses are recommended for students interested in employment as natural resource specialists, water managers, emergency management, public works planners, sustainability planners or graduate study in geography or related disciplines.
The globalization, politics and place concentration emphasizes proficiency in social and cultural geography and develops skills in critical thinking, research techniques, and oral and written communication. Students taking these courses will learn and apply geographic information about cultural and political systems and processes to understand how people, places and regions are linked globally. This specialization is recommended for students interested in career fields that involve international relations and diplomacy, development, government, urban policy, non-profit and non-governmental work, teaching and graduate studies in geography or related disciplines.
From the water you drink to the bus you commute on, geographers play a role in our day-to-day lives in ways you may not realize! A bachelor’s degree in geography prepares students to employ innovative methods from both the physical and social sciences to address the world’s most pressing issues, from climate change and biodiversity loss to migration, global inequality, and community development. Geographers can be found in government, business, and the nonprofit sector, and career opportunities include jobs such as:
This degree is awarded by the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering. Find out what Mackay's rich history, strong connection to industry and dedication to student internship and career support can do for you.
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76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the University of Nevada, Reno with no student debt.
At the College of Science, our accomplished faculty, inventive students, leading researchers and scientific pioneers take on complex challenges and unearth groundbreaking solutions for problems we all care about.
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