Bachelor of Science in Geography - Physical Geography

University of Arizona

Get to know the intricacies of our planet's physical environment to unlock solutions for many of the key challenges the world faces today. Geographers study Earth's features, but with a strong appreciation for the human-environment relations that shape and are shaped by the distributions of these features across the landscape. Physical geography takes a scientific approach to understanding Earth's physical environment. The Bachelor of Science in Geography with a Physical Geography emphasis provides rigorous training in Earth and environmental science, emphasizing quantitative and scientific approaches to studying the physical environment. Students are encouraged to pursue internships and have access to research opportunities at renowned facilities and organizations, including Biosphere 2, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research and the Water Resources Research Center.LEARNING OUTCOMESDemonstrate knowledge of core principles of physical geography in climatology, biogeography, landscapes, and/or water resourcesExhibit ability to develop research questions, critically understand data sources & bias, integrate scholarly literature, & conduct research using primary and/or secondary source materialDemonstrate ability to create, refine, and interpret graphical data to compare/contrast spatial patterns & structuresRecognize the key factors influencing global and regional climate in the past, present, and futureIdentify and utilize appropriate geography methods to provide a systematic framework for examining environmental and social problems and apprehend their roles, individual and collectiveDemonstrate ability to engage in independent high-order critical thinking and synthesize, process, & present geographic concepts, methodologies, & applications in oral, written, & visual forms