Department of Geography

Geographers explore important challenges impacting society and the environment. Our students learn how to identify and solve problems facing communities, at scales ranging from local to global. The environment, people, and their connections studied in Geography are essential for understanding complex issues like social inequality, climate change, and environmental hazards.

Examples of what Geographers do include analyzing environmental data to identify health impacts on marginalized communities, investigating ancient climate records to understand the effects of climate change, and using satellites and drones to map human impacts on the environment. The Department of Geography at the University of Utah specializes in:

The MSGIS is a professional degree that allows students to specialize in Geographic Information Science. The MSGIS gives students the in-depth experience required for advanced careers in GIS.

Masters

The Geography MS is a great avenue to an advanced career in Geography, or to a PhD. The Geography MS is research-focused degree that provides excellent opportunities to collaborate with faculty and with other grad students.

PhD

The PhD is the pinnacle degree in the field of Geography, and provides the advanced training required for careers in research and academia. PhD students develop a research-intensive dissertation in close collaboration with their advisor and committee.