Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences

Dr. Terrianne Lavin, Director of Undergraduate Programs
Email: talavin@udel.edu
Department of Geopraphy and Spatial Sciences

Department website

Faculty Profiles

Telephone: (302) 831-2294

The Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences in UD’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment provides a unique perspective that seeks to explain patterns of commonality and difference across the human and natural environment. Working alongside nationally and internationally recognized faculty, students examine the physical properties of the natural environment and the role that human beliefs, activities and decision-making have in shaping the world around us.

The department’s cutting-edge research and work extend to include scientists and professionals throughout the University and across the region. The department is home to the following offices and centers, all of which host student research opportunities:

Office of the State Climatologist of Delaware;
Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis;
Delaware Environmental Observing System; and
Delaware Center for Geographic Education.

Exciting educational opportunities are available in undergraduate majors in environmental science, environmental studies, geography, geography education, GIScience and environmental data analytics, and meteorology and climate science. Available minors include geography, human dimensions of climate change, meteorology, and peace and justice studies.

Environmental Science

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science emphasizes a broad scientific understanding of the character, function and analysis of environmental systems. Students will gain a broad-based, interdisciplinary introduction to the scientific concepts, policies, and issues; the common analytical tools needed to explore environmental issues in depth through their specific concentration areas; and the ability to integrate and synthesize information from a multidisciplinary perspective through the capstone course.

The B.S. in Environmental Science program is rigorous in both math and science, and includes courses in social science and policy that will help students understand the societal context of their work. This foundation, along with a concentration area, helps students appreciate the interconnectedness between natural science processes and their applications and the social, political, and institutional frameworks in which environmental issues are considered

The B.S. in Environmental Science is a collaborative degree involving several departments and colleges. First-year students typically enter the program and explore the concentrations. Upper-class students declare a specific concentration after taking some of the initial courses required for the major. All students must ultimately select a concentration, preferably by the end of the spring semester of the sophomore year. Students are assigned an advisor from their area of concentration. In those cases where the student has not yet selected a concentration, students are assigned an academic advisor from one of the concentrations.

Students choose from six concentrations:

Environmental Science - Climate and Society Concentration (BS) - Students study the interconnectedness of Earth’s environmental spheres, such as the biosphere-atmosphere or hydrosphere-atmosphere, and identify how humans and the climate system impact each other. Graduates will be equipped with the science and tools needed to assess our changing climate and opportunities to mitigate its impacts on human societies and natural systems.
Environmental Science - Ecoscience Concentration (BS) - Students study the nature of ecosystems and the interaction of organisms with their physical and biological environment. Students interested in studying ecoscience with an emphasis on the physical and biological environment would best fit this concentration. Graduates will be prepared to gain employment as environmental scientists or seek graduate education in environmental science.
Environmental Science - Energy and Environment Concentration (BS) - Students study and explore the challenge of discovering new energy sources that have minimal environmental impact. The term “sustainable” is used when talking about energy that meets our current needs without endangering future generations from being able to meet their future needs. Topical areas in this concentration include the science and policy aspects of renewable energy sources like wind energy, biofuels, solar energy and fuel cells, as well as assessing the economic, local and global environmental impact of alternative energy sources.
Environmental Science - Marine Science Concentration (BS) - Students study and better understand the environment of the ocean, the seabed and the coastal zone. Building on the foundation of MAST 382 - Introduction to Ocean Sciences, a core environmental science course, students in this concentration select coursework in the physical ocean or the marine ecosystem. Graduates gain a deep understanding of the marine environment.
Environmental Science - Geoscience Concentration (BS) - Students study Earth’s near-surface environment, including the land surface and vegetation, rivers, lakes, and shallow seas, and extending to underlying soils, rocks and groundwater. A better understanding of the near-surface environment is necessary to assess the impact of human activities on Earth’s surface and to adapt to their consequences.
Environmental Science - Water Science Concentration (BS) - Students study the movement, distribution, quantity and quality of water on Earth. Students pursuing this concentration will have the opportunity to study aspects of hydrology that range from the atmosphere to the Earth’s subsurface, and from biogeochemical processes to policy and water management. Water science courses are offered from four departments (Earth Sciences, Geography and Spatial Sciences, Civil Engineering, and Environmental Engineering). Many aspects of hydrology are quantitative in nature, requiring knowledge of basic calculus and, in some cases, more advanced calculus and/or statistics; thus, MATH 243 is required, along with one additional course in differential equations, linear algebra, or statistics.

Environmental Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies provides students with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the environment and natural systems, the impact of humans on the environment and environmental impacts on humans, and the importance of environmental understanding in economic and political decision-making. Students gain a broad, interdisciplinary introduction to environmental policies and issues, the common analytical tools needed to explore them in depth through their specific concentration areas, and the ability to integrate and synthesize information from a multidisciplinary perspective through a capstone course.

The B.A. in Environmental Studies includes foundation courses in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences with a focus on understanding the environmental field. This foundation, along with a concentration, allows students to connect science and society to balance the needs of humans and other inhabitants with the need to conserve the Earth’s precious resources. Graduates learn to develop strategies, policies, and approaches to solving environmental issues and reducing environmental impact.

The B.A. in Environmental Studies is a collaborative degree involving several departments and colleges. First-year students typically enter the program and explore the concentrations. Upper-class students declare a specific concentration after taking some of the initial courses required for the major. All students must ultimately select a concentration, preferably by the end of the spring semester of the sophomore year. Students are assigned an advisor from their area of concentration. In those cases where the student has not yet selected a concentration, students are assigned an academic advisor from one of the concentrations.

Students choose from three concentrations:

Environmental Studies - Environmental Advocacy Concentration (BA) - Students gain the tools necessary to pursue careers in environmental advocacy in public or nonprofit organizations. Skills and knowledge useful to advocates include policy analysis, journalism, understanding how people react to risk and disasters, the role of public opinion, interest groups and parties in the policy process, and organizational management and leadership.
Environmental Studies - Environmental Planning and Design Concentration (BA) - Students study environmental design, planning and policy, gaining the knowledge required to develop more sustainable communities. Specific attention is given to the political, economic and social dimensions of environmental policies and decision-making.
Environmental Studies - Environment and Society Concentration (BA) - Students focus on economic, social, and environmental policies and decision-making that affect the ability of societies to support themselves without depleting the Earth’s resources. The economic, national, and international dimensions of the environment and society are emphasized. Key ideas explored in this concentration are conservation, stewardship, living harmoniously with the natural environment in the larger context of the economy, and sustainability.

Geography

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography trains students in physical and human geography as they explore the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. Graduates are equipped to collect information about environmental challenges using a variety of methods, including GIS, remote sensing, computer modeling, surveys and interviews, and census data.

Students pursuing a B.A. in Geography have the option to choose a specialization. Coursework and research allows for deeper study and skill development in climatology, biogeography, conservation, cultural-historical geography, urban geography, geomorphology, geographic information science (GIS), remote sensing, cartography, and spatial data analysis. Students are required to take an introductory sequence of courses and a capstone course. During the senior year, students have the option to undertake a research paper under the direction of their program advisors.

Geography Education

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography Education trains students to teach and inspire the next generation of engaged citizens by sharing the beauty and science of our natural landscapes and diverse cultures around the globe. Students examine the physical properties of the natural environment (water, climate, landforms and vegetation) and the role that human beliefs, activities and decision-making play in shaping the world around us. Graduates are preapted to teach Advanced Placement geography in high school settings and bring a geographic perspective to many other classes taught in secondary schools.

Students pursuing a B.A. in Geography Education receive broad training in physical and human geography, and education, gaining the tools and methods of both disciplines. The program includes student teaching placements in nearby schools.

GIScience and Environmental Data Analytics

The Bachelor of Science in GIScience and Environmental Data Analytics prepares students to analyze and harness geosptatial data, a critical tool in advancing sustainability and fostering a more equitable future society. Graduates develop in-demand skills, including managing and using large geospatial and environmental data sets, finding meaningful patterns in them, representing their complexity in graphs and tables, and distilling and presenting the coherent and logical stories they tell.

Students pursuing a B.S. in GIScience and Environmental Data Analytics study computer science, electrical engineering, geography and mathematics in a core curriculum that builds strong skills in handling large geospatial and environmental data sets. Deeper knowledge and context is gained through one of five concentrations, including cybersecurity, data mining, environmental data science, management information systems, and remote sensing. In a capstone course, students apply data analytics to pressing environmental topics, such as food security, water shortages, climate change and environmental health.

Meteorology and Climate Science

The Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Climate Science combines basic atmospheric science and climatological science with a rigorous training in mathematics, physics, and computer science. Students develop a broad understanding of the fundamental physical and dynamical processes governing the motions and behavior of the atmosphere and its interactions with the underlying land and ocean surfaces. Graduates are equipped with the skills to observe and analyze meteorological and satellite data, and to create and interpret weather forecasts for use in industry, agriculture, business, and government.

Students pursuing a B.S. in Meteorlogy and Climate Science join a program with a solid tradition in climate research, gaining access to climate and weather experts with strong connections to various sectors of society such as renewable energy, disaster management and agriculture. The department has strong, established partnerships with the National Weather Service, broadcast agencies and national climate centers.

Programs

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Minor

Honors Degree

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