Department of Geography

Prospective Students

It is a fine time to consider Geography as your Undergraduate Major at the University of North Alabama. The world-wide need for students with a geography education which includes skills in geospatial technologies has been growing rapidly and reports indicate it will continue to increase in the future.

Geography is a way of thinking which geographers call “spatial thinking.”  Geography does not focus on a single subject matter but rather studies a variety of topics using a spatial perspective. It is concerned with “where” things are located, what landscape patterns they produce, why they are arranged that way, and how they interact across geographic or Earth space. As a student you will not only develop a local view but a global one as well. 

Through its dedicated faculty members, the Department of Geography has developed three options in the undergraduate degree program: General Geography, Geographic Information Science, and Business Geography.  All options have a common core of geography courses and each one has suggested courses including supporting coursework from other disciplines like Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, and Business. A faculty member will help you decide which option to pursue depending upon your future goals. 

Our graduate program, the Master of Science in Geospatial Science, is currently accepting applications for Fall 2013. Geospatial science is an innovative approach to applying spatial knowledge and technology to solve contemporary problems. The program focuses on the multidisciplinary application of geography, the spatial paradigm and methods of geospatial technologies to prepare students to:

• Solve complex environmental, urban, economic and business problems

• Conduct independent research

• Develop skills in critical thinking and writing

• Enter professions requiring knowledge of geospatial methods, analysis, and techniques.

For more information on the Master of Science of Geospatial Science, download the Program Guide and/or contact Dr. Mike Pretes (geospatial@una.edu) for more information. 

Graduates from the Department of Geography at UNA work in various government, public and private sector jobs throughout the country and overseas. These jobs involve regional and urban planning, environmental research and monitoring, utilities, marketing, management, and field work among many other titles. Some of our graduates go on to graduate school for both the master's and Ph.D. degree. For the past several years, job and graduate school placement has reached almost 100%.

If you are interested in pursuing a major, minor or masters in geography, just drop by the department, give us a call or send us an email. We can discuss your goals and how a study of geography might provide you with the foundation for a rewarding career after your university experience.

Dr. Francis Koti
Chair, Department of Geography