Geography

image of a colorful map with green, orange and yellow sections

Geographers study the spatial dimensions of human activities and physical landscapes. The discipline of Geography focuses on the interrelationships between humans and their environments, linking the physical and social sciences.

Geographers use a variety of tools, but much of their work revolves around developing and analyzing various forms of spatial data and information, with a special emphasis on satellite imagery, vector graphics, historical, and paper maps.

Possessing the ability to "think spatially," along with a diverse toolkit of quantitative and qualitative methods, geographers have a wide variety of employment options. Our alumni have taken positions in business, government agencies, academia, and non-profit organizations. The job market is especially strong for those with skills in Geographic Information Systems and Science (GIS).

The Department of Geography at UC offers PhD, MA, BS and BA degrees.

All students are encouraged to develop individualized programs meeting their specific needs, in consultation with their academic adviser. For more information on courses and requirements for the BA/BS program, please visit the Undergraduate Program site. For more on the PhD and MA programs, please visit the Graduate Program site.

Important Department Contacts

Recent Publications

An updated list of publications can be found in the Google Scholar profile of the Department of Geography and GIS.

Faculty Accomplishments

  • Richard Beck: Fulbright Specialist in Eastern D. R. Congo.
  • Nicholas Dunning: AAG Robert McC. Netting Award 2015 (a life-time achievement award).
  • Kenneth Hinkel: 2010 Francois Emile Matthes Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Cryospheric Sciences; 2012 William and Anne Manierre Award for publication of primary research in the Huron Mountains.
  • Hongxing Liu: NASA Group Achievement Award
  • Lin Liu: Best Service Award and Excellence in GIS Education Award of the International Association of Chinese Professionals in Geographic Information Sciences.

Student Accomplishments

  • Daniel Schleith: 2016 Incentive Summer Stipend for Geography PhD Students
  • Min Xu: Competitive Scholarship for Geography PhD students 2016-2017
  • Song Shu: Graduate School Dean's Fellowship 2016-2017.
  • Jacek Niesterowicz: Geocomputation 2015 Best Paper Award in the recent Geocomputation 2015 conference.

Tweets by @UC_Geography

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What is geography?

July 25, 2025

If you like working with data analytics, traveling, or have an interest in why things are where, then there is a place in Geography for you. “If you say ‘Geography,’ most people think of the category on Jeopardy or memorizing their state capitals. Of course, that's very important too,” said Kevin Raleigh, UC’s Department Head of Geography, as well as the Interim Director of European Studies. “Geography looks at why things are important where.” The different uses of geographical knowledge have evolved but never lessened. Now that geographers have identified most, if not all, of the places on earth, they have the freedom to apply this knowledge to real world issues.

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UC tracks ‘evolving’ opioid epidemic across US

April 10, 2025

The heart of the opioid epidemic that killed 665,341 people in the United States between 2005 and 2020 shifted geographically from the Pacific Northwest to the East, according to a new geographical analysis.

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