Department of Geography and Geology

Andy Reese, Interim Chair
118 College Drive, Box 5051
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4729
Fax: 601.266.6219

J. Bass, G. Carter, D. Cochran, C. Dixon, G. Harley, O. Harvey, F. Heitmuller, D. Holt, B. Kar, M. Miller, L. Pope, G. Raber, A. Reese

Geography

The Department of Geography and Geology offers a choice of curricula leading to a Bachelor of Science in geography. The program provides the opportunity to emphasize geospatial techniques and analysis, area studies and international development, land-use and landcover change, historical-cultural geography, nature-society relationships, environmental analysis and resource management, coastal systems and training in geographic education. All concentrations emphasize fieldwork, the application of technical skills and the development of research capability in a particular emphasis area in geography. Programs are well-balanced by staff specialties in a variety of systematic and regional areas. The faculty have a strong focus upon international research/field programs in Australia, Jamaica, Cuba, Great Britain, France, Mexico and Central America. The undergraduate (B.S.) program provides the full range of geographical instruction appropriate to a globally literate education. The undergraduate degree can also be obtained at Southern Miss Gulf Park campus.

The department offers three emphasis areas:

Geography
Geographic Information Technology
Sustainable Development

The department also offers a Certificate in Geographic Information Technology. Consult the appropriate Southern Miss Class Schedule Guide to determine if these courses are offered online.

Detailed degree plans for the various geography emphasis areas and degrees are provided later in this Bulletin. Corresponding lecture and laboratory courses must be taken simultaneously as co-requisites.

Information concerning the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in geography appears in the Graduate Bulletin. A student’s choice of degree program and of curriculum should be determined in consultation with an adviser.

Geography Program

A student majoring in geography will work toward the Bachelor of Science degree. The student, working closely with an adviser, will tailor the course work to fit his/her career goal. All students pursuing a major in geography must complete the following requirements, which include a minimum of 36 hours in the department and a minor or related electives:

		Hours
General Education Curriculum		63-75
Major Requirements
	GHY 104 /GHY 104L or GHY 105 /GHY 105L and GHY 326 or GHY 327	7
	GHY 315 and GHY 331	6
	GHY 410 /GHY 410L , and one other 400-level GHY techniques course	7-8
	GHY 441	3
	Electives in GHY (may include GHY 101 and GHY 102 )	12-13
Minor or Electives		17-25
		Total: 124

Teacher Licensure

Students seeking teacher certification in geography should do so through the Department of History, which offers a certification program in social studies. Such students may wish to pursue a double-major in history and geography.

Geographic Information Technology Program

This is an emphasis area within the Bachelor of Science program and prepares students for professional employment or graduate study in fields applying computerized methods of geographic data analysis. Majors emphasizing cartography, remotely sensed image interpretation and Geographic Information Systems will meet Federal Civil Service Commission qualification standards under the job title cartographer. These same standards also qualify graduates for entry into the job market wherever geographic information is being used in the public or private sector.

		Hours
General Education Curriculum		63-75
Major Requirements
	GHY 315 and GHY 331	6
	GHY 104 /GHY 104L or GHY 105 /GHY 105L and GHY 326 or GHY 327	7
	GHY 410 /GHY 410L , GHY 411 /GHY 411L , GHY 412 /GHY 412L , GHY 416 /GHY 416L , GHY 417 /GHY 417L and GHY 418 /GHY 418L	22
	GHY 441	3
	PSY 360 or SOC 460 or approved similar course	3
	CSS 240 or CSS 330 or CSS 404	3
Minor or Electives		9-17
		Total: 124

Requirements for a Certificate in Geographic Information Technology

The Certificate in Geographic Information Technology is a professional curriculum that prepares students to employ geographic information effectively for solution of problems in many fields. The certificate program is open to both resident degree candidates and practitioners who need to update and formalize their knowledge pertaining to use of geographic information and who comply with either traditional or nontraditional admission requirements of the university as specified elsewhere in this Bulletin. Students may complete the certificate program with or without being admitted to a specific degree program. Students must declare their intent to complete the certificate program in a letter to the Department of Geography and Geology before completing six credit hours of the courses required for the certificate.

To earn the certificate, students are required to complete (1) a minimum of 15 credit hours from GHY 410 , GHY 411 , GHY 412 , GHY 416 , GHY 417 , GHY 418 (and their accompanying laboratory sections), GHY 419 and (2) a directed individual project for one credit hour of GHY 494 , all with grades of B or better. These courses may be taken by the student as part of a degree major or minor or as a suite of electives. Students may complete the certificate curriculum by taking the courses in any combination of either physical or virtual classrooms.

Geology

Geology is the science of the Earth. It deals with processes within the Earth and at the Earth’s surface that control landscape features, produce essential natural resources and often result in geologic hazards. It is a science that seeks to understand the history of the Earth through geologic time and to predict the results of human interaction with the natural environment. It is an interdisciplinary science and requires a foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.

The Department of Geography and Geology offers the Bachelor of Science in geology and emphasis areas in environmental geology and marine geology. Graduates are prepared for careers in environmental geology and water resources, exploration and development of petroleum and other natural resources, marine geology, space geology and many other areas. The Master of Science in geology at The University of Southern Mississippi and graduate programs at other universities provide advanced training in all of these areas and also prepare students for careers in research and teaching. The Bachelor of Science in geology provides a strong foundation for students planning on graduate or professional school in areas such as marine science, environmental science, remote sensing, space science and environmental law.

Additional Requirements for a Degree in Geology: The degree in geology has two requirements that should be noted: (1) A six-semester-hour course in field geology is required. Students can take this course from another university with the approval of the department chair. The student is responsible for all fees, including out-of-state tuition, if applicable. (2) Students must take the exam required to qualify as a registered professional geologist in the state of Mississippi. The student is responsible for the exam fee.

High school preparation: High school students interested in careers in geology or related areas are encouraged to complete credits in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics through second-year algebra, solid geometry and trigonometry.

Transfer preparation: Students transferring into the Department of Geography and Geology from community colleges, other universities or other programs should note the prerequisites for upper-level geology courses. Completion of GLY 101 , GLY 101L and at least one course in chemistry no later than the summer preceding the junior year is recommended.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Non-degree