Welcome to Geography and Geosciences

Geography traditionally emphasizes the “where.” Geographers study the nature and character of places to further an understanding of the world by examining the interactions between the economic, cultural, and the physical environment of a place. Because geography stresses the “where,” all geographers take courses in map making and spatial analysis. Modern mapping or Geographic Information Science is computer-based so most majors also develop a computer competency.

Learn more about Geography!

Earth science seeks to understand the complex processes operating within the earth-atmosphere system and to apply knowledge of these processes to improve the quality of human life. Earth scientists complete coursework in a variety of geoscience disciplines including geology, hydrology, oceanography and environmental science as well as classes focusing on analytic techniques including statistics and Geographic Information Science (GIS).

• The atmospheric science track involves taking advanced courses in atmospheric science such as meteorology or climatology.
• Our geographic information sciences track is designed for students whose emphasis is on mapping sciences.
• The human geography track examines the interactions of social systems including economics, politics, and development.
• The physical geography track examines a range of geosciences including climate, soils and geomorphology.
• The fifth track is a general track in which the student selects advanced geography and geosciences coursework based on their particular interests.

Many geography majors are able to complete more than one track in support of their career objectives.

The diversity of geography-related professions is stunning. Our graduates work for the CIA, EPA, National Park Service, US Geological Survey and more. They are Department of Natural Resources Police, who patrol the Chesapeake Bay; computer cartographers and geographic information system managers for the U.S. Census Bureau and Geospatial Intelligence, private consultants, NYC real estate developers and several can be seen forecasting the weather on television.

Our earth science program focuses on providing students with a broad background in the geosciences and its application to solving environmental problems and mitigating natural hazards. Thus, students complete courses in geology, weather and climate, map interpretation, geographic information science, statistics, chemistry and physics. One key feature of our coursework in the Earth Science degree is our commitment to field work and experiential studies. Many of the core and elective courses in the earth science program include class field trips and intensive, hands-on lab activities. The coursework required for this degree provides a solid undergraduate knowledge base which serves as a strong foundation for students continuing on to graduate studies or onto a career in the geosciences. The earth science program has three tracks. For those students who wish to have maximum flexibility, there is the general track in earth science. For those students who wish to pursue professional careers in geology, we strongly recommend the geoenvironmental track. We also support an earth science secondary education track for those interested in teaching at the middle or high school level.

There are a number of different career paths available to earth science majors. Earth science majors work in natural resources (oil, gas, coal, minerals, construction aggregate, water, soil) exploration and development, preservation of the natural environment, restoration from environmental damage, and the mitigation of geohazards such as earthquakes and landslides. Our graduates continue their education in graduate school, work for environmental consulting and engineering firms, and teach in the Maryland public education system.

Some students are able to complete dual majors in geography and earth science. Students can discuss the possibility with their advisor.

At the start of the semester, we provide a list of tutors who are willing and able to help you master your major.

To help you as you consider your next steps, check out these helpful documents:

• Careers
• Jobs
• Internships
• Graduate School

Check out these organizations that provide helpful information on preparing for your career:

• American Association of Geographers
• American Geosciences Institute
• Geology.com
• American Geophysical Union

Students interested in networking with fellow geography and geosciences enthusiasts are encouraged to check out these organizations:

• The Geographical Society
• Gamma Theta Upsilon
• American Meteorological Society Chapter

Check out these blogs and social media sites dedicated to all things geography and geosciences:

• Departmental Facebook Page
• Lembo’s GIS Blog

SU’s Geography Alumni Alliance are active in connecting with their Alma Mater.

See what your fellow alumni are up to with these profiles of recent graduates.

J. Chapman McGrew Memorial Scholarship

Professor McGrew unexpectedly passed away, but he left behind his passion and desire for aiding future geography and earth science students by setting up a scholarship. During his long career with the Department, he influenced many alumni. Some of our graduates and faculty have donated to the fund. $500 non-renewable.

S.P. Baker Scholarship

Scott Baker ’07 is one of our excellent graduates and has been passionately and consistently contributing annually to the department since his graduation. The first individual scholarship funded by an alumnus of the department, it provides a non-renewable $500 award to attract an outstanding incoming freshman major.

Gerald A. Elkins Award

This endowed internship award affords a Geography major who has demonstrated academic success and leadership skills the opportunity to explore a career in urban planning and mapping with the Baltimore City Planning Department. This award is made in honor of Gerald Elkins, a dedicated planning and mapping professional in the City’s Planning Department for more than 40 years. It is $1,500 and non-renewable.

The Baker and McGrew scholarships will be awarded to attract outstanding incoming freshman students to our major. They will be awarded by applying to the department. The selection process consists of four steps:

• Baker Scholarship Application
• McGrew Scholarship Application

1. Department Faculty Review: Review the application materials and give input to the Department Scholarship Committee.
2. Department Scholarship Committee Review: Review applications and make recommendations of scholarship recipients to the Geography Scholarship Board Review.
3. Geography Scholarship Board Review: Make the final selection of awardees. The Board consists of three alumni, a retired Department faculty member, presided over by a senior Department faculty member who will forward the names of the final potential scholarship recipients to the Department Chair.
4. Department Chair Final Approval: Make a final review and forward the potential recipients’ names to the school and university.

To maximize the efficacy of scholarship funding, scholarship recipients are expected to strive for their best, to be exemplary students, and to honor the excellent academic tradition of the Department. To optimize the spirit of scholarship, donors are expected to continue to be an inspiration and to contribute to the future success of the Department.

Working from a rock-solid foundation established by the first generation of geography faculty (1955 -2005), we have experienced remarkable growth and success over the last decade. From a program with 60 majors in the 1990s, we have grown to more than 120 majors and about 20 graduate students. Each June, we graduate approximately 35 students as well as five-seven. M.S. students; virtually all of whom are soon employed as professionals in the job market or go on to graduate studies. We are a nationally recognized program.

Over the next 50 years, our goal is to duplicate and then surpass the accomplishments of the first 50 years, which will take a mammoth effort. We believe the remarkable track record of the department has been achieved through our collective efforts, largely due to our alumni success, paving a thruway for each successive generation of students to follow. You are our product and best spokesperson. Our hope is that we continue to maintain and improve the quality of our programs when our alumni believe in us and help us to educate and train many new generations of excellent geographers and geoscientists to come.

We ask that our alumni contribute to the next 50-year initiative by considering our request to help us establish undergraduate scholarships in our majors. After years of consideration, efforts and great support of our alumni, the department is planning to establish scholarships, with an intention to attract more outstanding young people into our programs early. All prior donations have been held by Salisbury University Foundation in an account reserved for geography. Our stewardship of previous donations has now put our Department Foundation account on the threshold of being able to offer small scholarships and some ancillary support. With your help, we wish to establish a continuous set of scholarships each year to attract the most gifted students to our discipline.

Scholarship Fund Requirement

In order to establish a self-sustained scholarship, a minimum $10,000 baseline fund is needed for a $500 scholarship each year.

Scholarship Purpose

The scholarships are designed and intended to honor and support specific scholarly pursuits and needs of our majors, such as

• Funding of scholarships for tuition for attracting exceptional students.
• Support for international and national field experiences to continue a long tradition of offering these learning experiences and expand this opportunity to more of our majors.
• Support for books and supplies for superior students under financial duress.

Scholarship Type:

There are four general types of scholarships by funding sources:

• Department Scholarship: donation from all the contributions to the Department Foundation account as before and the Department will decide the critical need areas to support.
• Individual scholarship: donate a minimum of $10,000 in total or a minimum of $1,000 a year for 10 consecutive years. As soon as $10,000 is accrued, a baseline annual scholarship of $500 will be established under your name or a name of your choice.
• Group scholarship: It is possible for individuals to donate under an umbrella group, for instance, the Class of 1990. The scholarship will be established under a name of the group’s choice.
• Other external funding, not from our alumni or the Department.