COURSE CURRICULUM

The Geography major requirements at the University of New Hampshire are relatively flexible and career-focused compared to many science-heavy programs, requiring 10 courses (40 credits) with a minimum grade of C-, and the structure is designed to gradually build from basic geographic understanding to advanced real-world application; the program starts with foundation courses that introduce three key perspectives—regional geography (studying different parts of the world like Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas), physical geography (natural systems such as climate, landforms, and ecosystems), and human geography (how people, culture, and economies interact with space and place)—which together give students a complete picture of how the world works; after this, students take a core skills course in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which is one of the most valuable parts of the degree because it teaches mapping, spatial data analysis, and technical problem-solving skills that are widely used in industries like urban planning, environmental management, and logistics; the program then allows significant flexibility through five elective courses, where students can specialize based on their interests, choosing topics like climate change, natural hazards, global trade, environmental justice, political ecology, or regional studies such as China or Sub-Saharan Africa, making it possible to tailor the degree toward careers in sustainability, development, or policy; finally, students complete a capstone course at the 600 level, typically writing-intensive, where they apply their knowledge to complex global issues like climate and society or environmental justice, demonstrating critical thinking and research skills; overall, this major is less rigid than fields like engineering or genetics but still highly valuable because it combines analytical, technical (GIS), and global understanding skills, making it ideal for students who want a balance between science and social studies while keeping diverse career options open in areas like planning, environmental work, policy, and international development.