Just for new undergraduates in our program, we have gathered here a summary of things we think you’ll find useful to get started, whether you are just exploring the major or beginning to fulfill your major program requirements. Please contact the advisors below with any questions not answered here, or even if you just want to talk about Geography as a major.
ADVISOR CONTACT INFORMATION
A Student Advisor will help you to plan and execute your course work in the major/minor program and answer questions concerning requirements and course substitutions. The Designated Undergraduate Faculty Advisors may be consulted on any other questions concerning the major during their office hours or by special appointment. Students are also encouraged to seek substantive advice on academic matters from other faculty who share their interests or with whom they have had classes.
Sarah Varner, Student Academic Advisor
509A McCone Hall
E-mail: svarner@berkeley.edu
Online: https://calendly.com/svarner-geography/
2020-2021: Professor Desiree Fields
Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Faculty Advisor for Human Geography
587 McCone Hall
E-mail for appointment: desireefields@berkeley.edu
2020-2021: Professor Jeffrey Q. Chambers
Professor and Undergraduate Faculty Advisor for Earth System Sciences
519 McCone Hall
E-mail for appointment: jqchambers@berkeley.edu
GETTING TO KNOW US
There is no general orientation to the program; it is done on an individual basis with a Student Advisor. However, there is an all-department reception in the Fall of every year on Wednesday of the first week of classes. As a prospective student or just declared major, you are welcome to come and meet other undergraduates and grad students who may someday be your GSIs (Graduate Student Instructors), as well as Geography Department faculty and staff.
Another way to meet current majors is to go to BUGs meetings and events. BUGs stands for Berkeley Undergraduate Geographers. Field trips, picnics and potlucks, movie nights, and lunch time talks are some of the activities organized by BUGs. It is open to all students interested in geography. For events and meeting times check their Facebook page. For more information email them at bugs.berkeley@gmail.com
GETTING STARTED WITH COURSEWORK
SOME TIPS AND INFORMATION ABOUT REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
If students have not completed three lower division courses in Geography, they can take GEOG 40 (physical geography) and GEOG 4 (which can substitute for a world geography requirement) in summer session. If they would like to get a jump start on upper division courses, GEOG 130 and 138 are generally offered in summer and both satisfy the human geography requirement.
Because GEOG 140A is required for the Earth System Science focus, and because it is a prerequisite to 140B, majors choosing that option should take it as soon as it’s offered.
Students choosing the Economy, Culture and Society focus should take GEOG 110 or GEOG 130 as soon as they can because at least one of these courses is required for that option.
METHODOLOGY REQUIREMENT
Regarding the methodology requirement: Plan ahead! Methodology courses teach you how to “do” geography rather than think or theorize about it. It is the practice of geography that will help inform all of your geographic scholarship. Here are some tips about what methodology courses to take and when:
- Physical field methods (GEOG 180): Offered in the Spring only. Involves long-weekend field trips. Open to physical or human geographers.
- Urban field methods (GEOG 181): This course is frequently oversubscribed and typically 20 “seats” or less. If you enter Cal in the Fall and cannot get a place in the class, take it the following Fall, being sure to enroll during Phase I when you will have priority.
- Field Methods of Buildings and Cities (GEOG 182): This course is exclusively a Summer course and only meet’s on Fridays over 6 weeks. It is a fast way to satisfy the methodology requirement but also only offer 20 “seats” or less. It is advisable to enroll in 182 as soon as possible.
- Cartographic Representation (GEOG 183): Take Cartography as soon as you can. It is offered in the Fall and Spring semester’s. You will be able to intern in the class the following year to get experience and polish your skills. There are also freelance opportunities administered by the cartography instructor for students who excel in cartography.
- Geographic Information Analysis (GEOG 187): Offered in the Spring semester. If you are not particularly computer savvy, but want to master GIS, consider taking ESPM 72 or GEOG 80 (Digital Worlds) before taking GEOG 187.
- GIS (GEOG C188): Always offered in the Fall. If you are not particularly computer savvy, but want to master GIS, consider taking ESPM 72 or GEOG 80 (Digital Worlds) before taking GEOG C188.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Students should consult a Student Advisor if they cannot take all three prerequisites or their equivalents. Substitutions are possible for transfer students or “late” declarers.
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Our students are usually top students. Many are already committed to the idea of going on to graduate school, either right after their B.A. or a bit later on. These last two years of college may be the most important in terms of earning a competitive grade point average and getting to know professors who can write recommendations to support graduate applications. The College of Letters & Science have also put together a plan for what you can be doing now to prepare yourself. Check out this comprehensive plan, but don’t let it intimidate you.
STUDY ABROAD
It is not surprising that many Geography majors choose to study in other countries as part of their undergraduate education. Transfer students who want to fit in a semester of study abroad will have to plan carefully. In fact, you can begin exploring your options before you even arrive at Cal. Go to their website to explore the Education Abroad programs in various countries. Summers may be your best best, although those programs tend to focus on learning the language of the country. Another doable option is to go abroad in your last semester. You can also consider non-EAP programs, although you may want to check with L&S college advising office (206 Evans Hall) on whether or not UC Berkeley will award you credit for study there.
INTERNSHIPS
Internships are a good way to get work experience, to polish your skills, and to learn about careers you are considering. Sometimes they are also the gateway into a paying job at the organization where you intern. We strongly encourage our majors to try to fit this experience into their curriculum. Again, transfer students will have to plan carefully how and when they will intern during their years at Berkeley. The Career Center on campus is an excellent resource for advice about internships and for listings of openings. Their website offers tips on creating your own internship.