The Geography, BS is designed to offer students the opportunity to study the integrated social and environmental processes that continuously shape and reshape the world we live in. This major provides students with broad training across the core subdisciplines of geography (human, physical, and GIScience), emphasizing application and technique-driven coursework, in addition to a rigorous science and mathematics curriculum. Students will find numerous opportunities for employment in both the private and public sectors, as well as in academia. Given their interdisciplinary approach and uniquely spatial perspective, geographers are well suited to address important local, regional, and global challenges in today's world.
The Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science fosters a supportive, active learning environment in which students are encouraged to work closely with both faculty and peers. The curriculum in this major provides students with the analytical, technical, and practical training that prepares them to be successful in an ever-evolving job market. For students who wish to pursue their interest in geography via a more flexible degree program, the department also offers a Geography, BA.
Admissions
University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Undergraduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog.
To apply for this program, please complete the George Mason University Admissions Application.
Policies
Students must fulfill all Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees including the Mason Core.
GGS 415 Seminar in Geographic Thought and Methodology (Mason Core) fulfills the writing intensive requirement.
For policies governing all undergraduate programs, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Students should refer to the Admissions & Policies tab for specific policies related to this program.
Candidates for the Geography, BS degree must complete the Core Courses, Breadth and Experience Courses, Elective Courses, and one concentration, all with a minimum GPA of 2.00:
Geography
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GGS 102 | Physical Geography (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or GGS 121 | Dynamic Atmosphere and Hydrosphere (Mason Core) | |
| or GGS 122 | Dynamic Geosphere and Ecosphere | |
| GGS 103 | Human Geography (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 110 | Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies | 3 |
| GGS 300 | Quantitative Methods for Geographical Analysis | 3 |
| GGS 310 | Cartographic Design | 3 |
| GGS 311 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GGS 415 | Seminar in Geographic Thought and Methodology (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| GGS 485 | Capstone in Geography and Geoinformation Science | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24-25 | |
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Fulfills the writing intensive requirement.
Breadth and Experience Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial Computing | ||
| GGS 366 | Spatial Computing | 3 |
| GGS 379 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| Systematic Courses | ||
| Select one from the following courses: | 3 | |
| Political Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Global Environmental Hazards | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Population Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development | ||
| Introduction to Weather and Climate | ||
| Physical Climatology | ||
| Severe and Extreme Weather | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Health Geography | ||
| Military Geography | ||
| Geography of Religions and Belief Systems | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Select Topics in GGS | ||
| Regional Courses | ||
| Select one from the following courses: | 3 | |
| Geography of the United States | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of China (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia | ||
| Issues in Regional Geography | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits of GGS courses | 3 | |
| Select 6 credits of upper division GGS courses | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Geoinformatics Concentration (GINF)
Geoinformatics is a technical field of study in geography in which digital spatial information is captured, stored, processed, visualized, and analyzed. Geoinformatics encompasses theories and methods of understanding geoinformation, and broadly incorporates geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), cartography and geovisualization, and spatial computing. Students that complete the Geoinformatics Concentration develop skills in applying spatial scientific techniques to digital spatial information, in order to address complex challenges in social and environmental systems.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 courses from the following; no more than two courses outside of the GGS prefix are permitted: | 18-19 | |
| Field Mapping Techniques | ||
or GEOL 303 | Field Mapping Techniques | |
| Data Analysis and Global Change Detection Techniques | ||
| Geovisualization | ||
| Satellite Image Analysis | ||
| Drone Remote Sensing | ||
| Physical Fundamentals of Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing of the Environment and Earth System | ||
| Spatial Modeling for Public Health | ||
| Web-based Geographic Information Systems | ||
| RS: GIS Analysis and Application | ||
| Special Topics in Geographic Techniques | ||
| GGS Independent Study (when the topic has been approved by an advisor) | ||
| Business Analytics I (Mason Core) | ||
| Computing for Scientists (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Agent-based Modeling and Simulation | ||
| Modeling and Simulation I | ||
| Introduction to Social Network Analysis (Mason Core) | ||
| Machine Learning Applications in Science | ||
| Computational Data Science | ||
| Crime and Place | ||
| Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core) | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Modern Methods in Geology | ||
| Database Fundamentals | ||
| Machine Learning for Information Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Business Information Systems (Mason Core) | ||
| Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (Mason Core) | ||
| Analysis of Social Data | ||
| Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Practice I | ||
| Introduction to Probability Models and Simulation | ||
| Introductory Statistics II | ||
| Introduction to Computing for Digital Systems Engineering (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 18-19 | |
Geospatial Intelligence Concentration (GI)
The geospatial intelligence (or geointelligence) concentration is designed for students to deepen their knowledge about computational approaches to geoinformation, with particular emphasis in techniques of remote sensing and digital image analysis. While geospatial intelligence has a strong Department of Defense connotation, the techniques developed in this concentration have wide applicability regarding location intelligence over a diverse range of uses and in public, private, and non-profit sectors.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GGS 384 | Special Topics in Geospatial Intelligence | 3 |
| CRIM 310 | Introduction to the Intelligence Community | 3 |
| Remote Sensing Electives | ||
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Satellite Image Analysis | ||
| Drone Remote Sensing | ||
| Physical Fundamentals of Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing of the Environment and Earth System | ||
| Special Topics in Geographic Techniques (When the topic has been approved by an advisor) | ||
| GGS Independent Study (When the topic has been approved by an advisor) | ||
| Intelligence Electives | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Image Operators and Processing | ||
| Intelligence Analysis Techniques | ||
| Counterintelligence | ||
| Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | ||
or GOVT 460 | Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | |
| American Security Policy | ||
| International Security | ||
| Mathematics of Cryptography: An Introduction | ||
| Big Data, Technology, and Society | ||
| Analysis of Social Data | ||
| Total Credits | 18-19 | |
Urban Science Concentration (URBS)
We are living in an increasingly urban world. As concentrations of human activity, cities and urban environments are data-rich, requiring geo-computational approaches to understand complex city systems and urban challenges. Through this concentration, students will apply geoinformational techniques to large-scale data to urban phenomenon like transportation, mobility, urban planning, and urban development.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GGS 306 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| CDS 303 | Scientific Data Mining | 3 |
| Urban Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the following: 1 | 6-7 | |
| Urban Planning | ||
or GOVT 357 | Urban Planning | |
| Urban Anthropology (Mason Core) | ||
| Design of Cities (Mason Core) | ||
| Community Engagement and Collaborative Problem Solving | ||
| Urban Ecosystems and Processes | ||
| Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy (When the topic is "Urban Smart Growth Strategies") | ||
| Issues in Public Policy and Administration (when title is "Urban Economic Development in Smart Growth Era") | ||
| Urban Agriculture | ||
| The Urban World (Mason Core) | ||
| Mapping and Spatial Analysis Electives | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Field Mapping Techniques | ||
| Geovisualization | ||
| Satellite Image Analysis | ||
| Spatial Modeling for Public Health | ||
| Web-based Geographic Information Systems | ||
| RS: GIS Analysis and Application | ||
| Special Topics in Geographic Techniques (When the topic has been approved by an advisor) | ||
| GGS Independent Study (When the topic has been approved by an advisor) | ||
| Computational Data Science Electives | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Computational Social Science | ||
| Introduction to Agent-based Modeling and Simulation | ||
| Modeling and Simulation I | ||
| Introduction to Social Network Analysis (Mason Core) | ||
| Scientific Information and Data Visualization | ||
| Scientific Data and Databases (Mason Core) | ||
| Computational Data Science | ||
| Total Credits | 18-19 | |
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Other urban topics courses may be taken with advisor approval.
Mason Core and Elective Credits
In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires additional 51-53 credits, which may be applied toward any remaining Mason Core requirements, Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees, and electives. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.
- VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
- VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (lower-level) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Just Societies (optional) 1 | ||
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (upper-level) | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Mason Apex 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
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In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.
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Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.
- 3
Minimum 3 credits required.
Honors in the Major
To graduate with departmental honors in Geography, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in GGS courses, an overall GPA of 3.50, and complete the following courses each with a grade of 'B+' or above:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GGS 463 | RS: GIS Analysis and Application | 3 |
| GGS 499 | GGS Independent Study 1 | 3 |
| 3 credits of 500-699 level GGS courses 2 | 3 | |
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Before registering for this course, students must have identified a topic under the guidance of a full-time faculty member following departmental guidelines.
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Eligibility for these courses is restricted to students who obtain permission from the undergraduate coordinator or those in the Accelerated Master’s program.
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Geographic and Cartographic Sciences, Accelerated MS
Overview
Offered by the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Sciences (GGS) in the College of Science, this bachelor's/accelerated master's degree program enables highly qualified undergraduates to obtain any Mason bachelor's degree and the Geographic and Cartographic Sciences, MS degrees within an accelerated timeframe. The program strategy enables students to undertake graduate coursework during their final year in the bachelor's degree. In the case of a 120 credit bachelor's program, this accelerated master's option can be completed as a 138 credit program (thesis option) or 145 credit program (comprehensive exam option). This accelerated pathway prepares students for professional careers where geoinformation management, geographic analysis, and geospatial visualization are of importance.
Students in this accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the bachelor's program and the Geographic and Cartographic Sciences, MS. While the information below is largely comprehensive, students are strongly encouraged to also review AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Application Requirements
Students with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 may apply for provisional acceptance into this accelerated master's program after completing at least 60 undergraduate credits. Additionally, students they must have completed the following courses with a combined GPA of 3.0 or better: GGS 300 Quantitative Methods for Geographical Analysis, GGS 311 Geographic Information Systems, and any one upper level GGS-prefixed course.
Applicants to all graduate programs at Mason must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admissions section of this catalog. However, this accelerated master's does not require GRE test scores, letters of recommendation, CV/resume, or a statement of interest.
While being undergraduate students, accelerated master's students must complete the graduate courses indicated on their Accelerated Master's Program Application (obtained from the Office of Academic and Student Affairs) with a minimum grade of B in each course. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework and in coursework applied to their major.
At the beginning of their final undergraduate semester, they must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form (found on the Office of the University Registrar website). Students must begin their master's program in the semester immediately following the term of undergraduate degree conferral. Students should consult with their faculty advisor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs to obtain further guidance.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students admitted to this program may start taking graduate courses after completing 75 undergraduate credits. It is recommended that students register for one of the following courses in their first semester of accelerated coursework:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GGS 551 | Cartographic Design | 3 |
| GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GGS 560 | Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| GGS 579 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
Including the course chosen above, up to 12 credits of graduate coursework may be applied to both undergraduate degree and the master's degree. If students earn at least a B in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master's program and must then complete 18 (thesis option) or 25 (comprehensive exam option) additional credits to receive the master's degree. All other master's degree requirements must be met.
Reserve Graduate Credit
During the bachelor's degree status, students may take up to 6 graduate credits as reserve graduate credit. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree, but will reduce the subsequent master's degree credits accordingly. With 12 credits counted toward the undergraduate and graduate degrees plus the maximum 6 reserve credits, the credits necessary for the graduate degree can be reduced by up to 18. The ability to take courses for reserve graduate credit is available to all high achieving undergraduates with the permission of the department. To apply the reserved credits to the master's degree, students must request their transfer from the undergraduate degree to the graduate degree via the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form found on the Office of the University Registrar website.
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence, Accelerated MS
Overview
Offered by the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Sciences (GGS) in the College of Science, this bachelor's/accelerated master's degree program enables highly qualified undergraduates to obtain any Mason bachelor's degree and the Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence, MS degrees within an accelerated timeframe. The program strategy enables students to undertake graduate coursework during their final year in the bachelor's degree. In the case of a 120 credit bachelor's program, this accelerated master's option can be completed as a 141 credit program. This accelerated pathway prepares students for professional careers where geoinformation management, geographic analysis, and geointelligence and geovisualization are of importance.
Students in this accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the bachelor's program and the Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence, MS. While the information below is largely comprehensive, students are strongly encouraged to also review AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Application Requirements
Students with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 may apply for provisional acceptance into this accelerated master's program after completing at least 60 undergraduate credits. Additionally, students must have completed the following courses with a combined GPA of 3.0 or better: GGS 300 Quantitative Methods for Geographical Analysis, GGS 311 Geographic Information Systems, and any one upper level GGS-prefixed course.
Applicants to all graduate programs at Mason must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admissions section of this catalog. However, this accelerated master's does not require GRE test scores, letters of recommendation, CV/resume, or a statement of interest.
While being undergraduate students, accelerated master's students must complete the graduate courses indicated on their Accelerated Master's Program Application (obtained from the Office of Academic and Student Affairs) with a minimum grade of B in each course. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework and in coursework applied to their major.
At the beginning of their final undergraduate semester, they must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form (found on the Office of the University Registrar website). Students must begin their master's program in the semester immediately following the term of undergraduate degree conferral. Students should consult with their faculty advisor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs to obtain further guidance.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students admitted to this program may start taking graduate courses after completing 75 undergraduate credits. It is recommended that students register for one of the following courses in their first semester of accelerated coursework:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GGS 550 | Geospatial Science Fundamentals | 3 |
| GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GGS 579 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GGS 684 | Selected Topics in Geospatial Intelligence | 3 |
Including the course chosen above, up to 12 credits of graduate coursework may be applied to both undergraduate degree and the master's degree. If students earn at least a B in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master's program and must then complete 21 additional credits to receive the master's degree. All other master's degree requirements must be met.
Reserve Graduate Credit
During the bachelor's degree status, students may take up to 6 graduate credits as reserve graduate credit. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree, but will reduce the subsequent master's degree credits accordingly. With 12 credits counted toward the undergraduate and graduate degrees plus the maximum 6 reserve credits, the credits necessary for the graduate degree can be reduced by up to 18. The ability to take courses for reserve graduate credit is available to all high achieving undergraduates with the permission of the department. To apply the reserved credits to the master's degree, students must request their transfer from the undergraduate degree to the graduate degree via the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form found on the Office of the University Registrar website.