Message to Prospective Majors

Rutgers has many majors to choose from and selecting the one that is right for you is a big decision. This brief description will give you an idea what we do and what we can offer you in the Department of Geography. We would welcome an in-person visit from you at any time so you can learn more.

Geography is about understanding Planet Earth and the relationships humans have with the environment. Investigating and mapping the world of today requires specialized skills. The geography curriculum at Rutgers provides the technical training and theoretical grounding to meet today’s environmental challenges while encouraging students to envision the world of the future in which they will be important decision-makers. With around 60 to 80 majors, the program is big enough to equip students with a full portfolio of essential techniques, but small enough to accommodate individual needs. Teaching formats vary from large lectures to seminar-type meetings. 

The major in geography and the certificate programs (in cartography and international geographic perspectives) reflect the key areas in which geographers are now in demand, from map design to environmental planning, and help prepare students for opportunities in growth areas such as geospatial techniques where jobs are projected to expand rapidly in both the public and private sector in the years ahead. The instructional lab offers full support for work in geographic information science (GISci), spatial data management and cartographic design and production.

As a supplement to class and lab, the well-established internship program provides valuable real-world experience for students while they earn up to six credits towards the degree. The department also has a good record for majors going on to graduate work at the masters and doctoral levels.

Some current courses offered in geography include:

• Earth Systems
• Transforming the Global Environment
• Maps and Map Reading
• Geographic Background to Current World Affairs
• Economic Geography
• Natural Hazards and Disasters
• Latin America
• Africa
• Geography of the Developing World
• Geographic Information Systems

A full listing of courses is available on the geography department's website.