While some aspects of geography overlap with those of geology, geography students tend to be have a broader view of how weather, geology, biology and other influences affect a wide area. Students in this major generally enjoy working outdoors and in the field itself. City planners tour their area of assignment as a matter of daily course, and geographers generally are found outside taking measurements and tests. In the classroom, a proficiency in math and the sciences are highly useful, and are essential skills for geography students and professionals alike. Majors with a bent toward computing may wish to take advantage of geographic information systems options, which focus on computerized mapping.

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The required and elective courses you would take for Geography majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

• Statistical Methods for Social Sciences
• Applied Climatology
• Biography
• Cultural Geography
• Forest Ecosystems
• Globalization
• People and the Earth's Ecosystems
• Physical Environment
• Principles of Geomorphology
• World Vegetation

• Geographic Information Science and Cartography
• Geography and Cartography