We've created a simple worksheet you can use to map out your four year plan and share with your academic advisor.
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Use the four-year academic pathways for each UMBC major/program listed below as a resource for major exploration and development of an individualized degree plan.

Please note that these academic pathways are sample pathways. Students, in consultation with their academic advisor, will create an individualized degree plan, reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Students are strongly encouraged to develop an individualized degree plan by no later than 45 credits earned and to update the plan regularly, in consultation with an academic advisor.

For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog (catalog.umbc.edu).

Select a major/program to view its pathway:

Geography & Environmental Systems - Geography & Environmental Studies - B.A.

Degree Requirements
Total Academic Credits:
120
Major Credits:
48
Min. Upper-Level Credits:
45
Min. Cumulative GPA:
2.0
§ indicates Benchmark requirements
‡ indicates Gateway courses
Curriculum Notes
  • This sample plan assumes no AP/IB/CLEP or transfer credit and foreign language proficiency up to the 201 level
  • All students must complete a credit-bearing English and Mathematics course in the first year of study
Year One
Fall Semester Credits
GES 102 Human Geography (C GEP) § 3
STAT 121, 350, 351 or 355 (MATH GEP) § 3
ENGL GEP 3
AH GEP 3
SS GEP 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
GES 110 The Changing Earth: Climate, Ecosystems, Water, and Landscapes (S non-lab GEP) § 3
SS GEP 3
AH GEP 3
C GEP 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Year Two
Fall Semester Credits
GES 286 Explor. the Environment: A Geo-Spatial Persp. (S w/ lab GEP) § 4
GES 300 or 400-level Human Geo/Environment Studies/Policy Elective 3
Foreign Language 201 4
SS GEP 3
AH GEP 3
Total 17
Spring Semester Credits
GES 386 Intro. to Geographic Information Systems § 4
GES 300 or 400-level Physical Geo/Environmental Science Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 16
Year Three
Fall Semester Credits
GES 326, 328 or 329 (WI) § 3
GES 300 or 400-level Human Geo/Environment Studies/Policy Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
GES 300 or 400-level Human Geo/Environment Studies/Policy Elective 3
GES 400-level Human Geo/Environment Studies/Policy Elective 3
GES 300 or 400-level Physical Geo/Environmental Science Elective 3
Upper-level Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Year Four
Fall Semester Credits
GES 400-level Elective 3
GES 300 or 400-level Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
GES 300 or 400-level Elective 3
GES 200, 300 or 400-level Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Total 12
Advising Coordinator:
Hasnain Ali hali6@umbc.edu Sondheim Building, Room 211