COURSE CURRICULUM

The geography program at DePaul University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to help students understand the relationships between people, places, and the environment through both theoretical study and advanced technical training. The coursework covers a wide range of specialized subjects that build strong analytical and spatial reasoning skills. In Environmental Geography, students examine the interactions between natural systems and human activity, focusing on environmental change, resource use, and sustainability. Urbanization explores the growth and development of cities, including patterns of settlement, infrastructure, and social dynamics in urban spaces. Earth Observation and Remote Sensing introduces students to satellite-based technologies used to monitor and analyze the Earth’s surface, helping them study land use, climate change, and environmental processes on a large scale.Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a central part of the program, teaching students how to collect, manage, and analyze spatial data to solve real-world problems in areas such as transportation, public health, and environmental planning. Geographical Inquiry focuses on research methods in geography, emphasizing critical thinking, data analysis, and field-based investigation. Sustainable Urbanization examines strategies for creating environmentally responsible and livable cities, integrating concepts of sustainability, planning, and policy development. Biogeography explores the distribution of plants and animals across different regions and how environmental factors influence ecosystems over time.Students can also choose from several academic tracks that allow them to specialize based on their interests and career goals. The Standard Concentration provides a broad foundation in geography, covering a mix of physical and human geography topics. The Environment and Society track focuses on the relationship between human communities and environmental systems, preparing students for work in sustainability and environmental policy. The GIS and Geotechnology track emphasizes advanced technical skills in spatial analysis, mapping, and geospatial technologies, which are highly valued in data-driven careers. The Urban Development and Planning track concentrates on city planning, infrastructure development, and urban policy, preparing students for careers in urban design, planning agencies, and public administration. Overall, the program equips students with both conceptual knowledge and practical skills needed for careers in geography, environmental studies, urban planning, and geospatial analysis.