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Kraig Brinkerhoff Appointment hours: |
The
Discipline
Geography offers several programs centered on geographic
studies and tailored to enable students to work in a variety of careers that
involve understanding the spatial aspect of the world, and solving practical
problems that require such understanding.
The modern computer laboratory allows students to gain
practical experience with geographical information systems (GIS), remote
sensing, cartography, and other programs in planning, urban, travel, and
population studies.
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
Career Opportunities
Graduates are employed in a wide range of private or
governmental positions. Job titles include geographer; teacher of geography;
city or regional planner; cartographer; photo interpreter; commodities and
industrial location analyst; intelligence, travel industry, or environmental
and GIS specialist; and many others.
In 2004, the CIA hired five geography majors recruited
specifically from the department for immediate placement in various
intelligence positions.
Cartography / Geographic
Information Systems / Remote Sensing
Cartography, Geographic
Information Systems (GIS), and Remote Sensing are three of the most
recognizable fields under a broader umbrella of Geographic Information
Science. Cartography encompasses the
science and the techniques of creating maps from geospatial data. Geographic
Information Systems deal with the acquisition, analysis, visualization and
management of geospatial data. Remote Sensing is the art and science of
interpreting aerial photos and satellite imagery of all kinds to create
information.
The complexities of current and future issues such as
climate change, wars, environmental disasters, mass migrations, and food and
energy supplies, require students to be able to understand the potential that
cartography, GIS and remote sensing have when used effectively with geographic
theories and concepts.
Every BYU geography student receives fundamental training
in each of these areas. Courses are designed to provide students the skills and
conceptual knowledge to enable them to solve geographic problems. Students work
on real world problems utilizing the latest technologies in the Department of
Geography’s computer laboratory and in the field.
Department of Geography’s computer laboratory
Students
have access to a full suite of geographic analysis tools enabling them to
process and interpret satellite imagery, create, explore, analyze and visualize
spatial data sets, and model spatial processes.
These tools are available in the computer lab for assignments as well as
hands on activities in the classroom.
The Department of Geography is also the home of the