The Geography Department provides a broad-ranging perspective on humans as inhabitants and transformers of the face of the earth. The search for this kind of understanding involves thorough study of (a) the interlocking systems of the natural environment (climate, landforms, oceans, biota) and the evaluation of natural resources; (b) those diverse historical, cultural, social, economic, and political structures and processes which affect the location and spatial organization of population groups and their activities; and (c) significant geographical units, whether described as cities, regions, nations, states or landscapes, where integrated interpretation can be attempted, and a variety of problems thereby better understood.
Declaring the Major
The Geography major may be declared after completion of two lower-division requirements with a letter grade of C or better, and once you’ve completed at least 30 units with a 2.0 or better cumulative UC Berkeley GPA. Students are able to use community college coursework as substitutions for lower-division requirements with approval from the Undergraduate Major Advisor.
To declare, make an appointment with the Undergraduate Major Advisor.
Major Requirements
**Please be advised that this section only provides information about the requirements for the major. In addition to major requirements, all students must complete the General Education requirements that the College of Letters & Science mandates. Please check your Academic Progress Report in CalCentral or plan to meet with an L&S advisor in order to clarify your General Education requirements.**
Our major curriculum requirements give students the opportunity to engage with five areas of study critical for understanding the breadth and depth of Berkeley Geography: Geospatial Representations, Earth System Science, Critical Environments, Racial Geographies, and Political Economies.
Declaring the Minor
The Geography minor must be declared before the student's Expected Graduation Term (EGT). To declare, make an appointment with the Undergraduate Major Advisor
Minor Requirements
**Please be advised that this section only provides information about the requirements for the major. In addition to major requirements, all students must complete the General Education requirements that the College of Letters & Science mandates. Please check your Academic Progress Report in CalCentral or plan to meet with an L&S advisor in order to clarify your General Education requirements.**
Our minor curriculum requirements follow a similar structure as our major requirements. Minor students complete five upper-division courses that engage with at least three of the research areas of Berkeley Geography: Geospatial Representations, Earth System Science, Critical Environments, Racial Geographies, and Political Economies. Students are allowed to use up to two non-Geography upper-division course substitutes toward their minor requirements.
To declare, make an appointment with the Undergraduate Major Advisor.
Honors Thesis in Geography
To apply, students must maintain a minimum 3.5 Geography GPA and a 3.5 overall UC Berkeley GPA to undertake the Honors Thesis, Geography H195A/H195B, under the supervision of a selected Geography faculty member. Seniors eligible to enroll in the honors program must make arrangements with a faculty member willing to direct their honors thesis in the semester before they enroll in H195A/H195B. Any faculty member within the department may administer an honors course. It is suggested that you approach faculty members with whom you’ve taken classes about being your mentor.
The application should be submitted to the Undergraduate Major Advisor at the beginning of senior year. Students choose the number of units for their Honors Thesis (1-4 units) and the grading option (letter grade or P/NP). Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive departmental honors based on your major GPA:
- 3.3-3.6 for “Honors”
- 3.61-3.81 for “High Honors”
- 3.81-4.0 for “Highest Honors”
For questions about the Geography Honors Program, please contact the Undergraduate Major Advisor.