The Field

Last updated: Spring 2020

Geography, particularly environmentally-focused geography as emphasized at UMASS, is an ideal field for students who want to pursue a degree and gain skills that integrate the social and physical sciences while emphasizing environmental and sustainability studies at a range of scales from local to global.

Geography is the study of the earth in all of its physical and human diversity, spatial variation and geographically variable, dynamic interactions between people and the planet. Environmental themes are central to much of geography, which as an inherently interdisciplinary field has a long tradition of integrating the social and natural sciences through research and teaching which addresses relevant, current and critical environmental and social issues. As we become increasingly aware of the linkages between the planet's natural and social systems, in areas ranging from climate change to deforestation and biodiversity loss, it is important for the university to provide students with opportunities to learn geographic perspectives about the ways in which people interact with the planet and gain geographic skills to contribute to environmental research, policy making and action.

Geographic approaches to environmental issues link appreciation of the physical characteristics and dynamics of earth systems and changing environmental conditions in particular places with political, economic, social and cultural analyses and attention to spatial and historical variation and contingency. Geography asks and seeks to answer such pressing questions as how to understand and respond to environmental change; how to promote sustainability; how to recognize and cope with rapid spatial reorganizations of economy and society, and how to leverage technological change such as improvements in remote sensing, computer cartography and GIS for the betterment of society and environment. Geographers approach these questions through methods as diverse as ethnographic fieldwork and remote sensing, and bring to their research, teaching and policy advocacy attention to sustainability, conservation and social justice issues of equity, differential vulnerability and risk, and rights.

Campus geographers are engaged in research and activism addressing many of the great environmental, conservation, development, and social justice issues of our time, working at local, national, international, and global scales. The department also houses a major center of climate change research.

Specializations

The many different specializations within geography are often conceptualized as subfields of human geography or physical geography.

Human geography seeks to identify and explain patterns and variations of settlement, social organization, culture, economies, political systems, and environmental impacts. This involves human geographers in studying issues such as population change and migration, urbanization and urban change, land and water use, environmental change, conservation, sustainability, and development. The department offers courses in subfields of human geography, including conservation geography, political ecology, urban ecology, environmental history and issues, cultural geography, economic geography, urban geography, political geography and remote sensing and GIS analysis and applications. It offers region-centered courses on the U.S. and Canada, Europe, and East Asia.

Physical geography involves studying the physical processes, both natural and anthropogenic, that affect the earth’s surface, atmosphere, and biosphere. The department has strengths in the study of climate, climate change, landforms and land surface processes, remote sensing of the environment, and GIS analysis and applications. The department offers courses in subfields of physical geography, including climatology and geomorphology.

Careers in Geography

A major in geography serves as a flexible foundation on which to build a broad-based liberal education. It can serve as appropriate preparation for graduate school studies in geography, other social and natural sciences, and for careers in business, government, non-profit organizations, journalism, teaching, GIS, cartography, urban and regional planning, and conservation and development work.

Advising

Majors are advised by the Chief Undergraduate Adviser for geography, who meets one-on-one with each major to assist with choosing courses, career planning, university, college, and major requirements, and academic challenges.

Senior Thesis

Geography majors are encouraged to undertake a senior research project leading to a senior thesis. Students design and carry out their projects in consultation with their advisers. Independent study and thesis writing credits can be used.

Study Abroad and Domestic Exchange

Many geography students find that a semester or year of study abroad or domestic exchange is a highly valuable part of their education. All geography majors are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities to experience other places offered by study abroad or domestic exchange programs. UMass participates in many reciprocal exchange programs in the U.S. and abroad. The Globalization and International Studies concentration in the Geography BA degree requires students to earn six of the credits toward the major in an approved international academic setting.