Geography

The Geography program at Dartmouth College offers students a comprehensive exploration of the Earth's physical features, human societies, and the complex interactions between environment and culture. Designed to foster critical thinking and analytical skills, the program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on research opportunities, enabling students to understand spatial dynamics at local, regional, and global scales. Students are encouraged to examine diverse geographic issues such as urban development, environmental sustainability, climate change, and cultural landscapes, gaining a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates physical geography, human geography, and geographic information systems (GIS).

Throughout the program, students engage in fieldwork, internships, and independent research projects, often collaborating with faculty on real-world problems to develop practical solutions. Dartmouth’s geographic curriculum emphasizes both theoretical understanding and applied skills, preparing graduates for careers in environmental consulting, urban planning, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and graduate studies. The program promotes a global outlook, encouraging students to analyze spatial inequalities, resource management, and the impacts of globalization, fostering responsible citizenship and sustainable practices.

The faculty in the Geography department are distinguished scholars dedicated to mentoring students and advancing research in areas such as climate science, landscape analysis, cultural geography, and cartography. By integrating coursework with experiential learning, Dartmouth’s Geography program aims to produce well-rounded, informed thinkers equipped to contribute effectively to understanding and addressing the complex geographic challenges of the 21st century. Whether students aspire to pursue advanced degrees or bring practical knowledge to various careers, the program provides a solid foundation rooted in scholarly excellence and real-world relevance.

Our major requirements are not unlike many other departments on campus.  We ask the student to put together a coherent set of courses in collaboration with the department chair. The major consists of ten courses, of which three are prerequisites (Geography 1 or 3, and two techniques/spatial analysis courses). Majors take one course in each of the three core areas of geography, and culminate with Geography 90. 

The Major

• Minimum number of courses: 10
• Pre-requisites: G1 or G3 and any 2 from G11 or any course in the 50 range
• Required courses: 1 from each from Nature-Society, Human-Social, Physical, plus 3 additional
• G90 (culminating experience) required: Yes
• Paperwork needed: Geography chair signature
• Other requirements: None

EXAMPLES OF MAJORS

There are three major streams within the Geography curriculum: (1) Physical and Human Dimensions of Global Change, (2) Critical Urban and Identity Studies, and (3) International Development. The following courses within the curriculum correspond to the streams:

Physical and Human Dimensions of Global Change

GEOG 3: The Natural Environment
GEOG 4: Landscape and Environments of New England
GEOG 5: Global Climate Change
GEOG 8: Life in the Anthropocene
GEOG 9: Climate Change and the Future of Agriculture
GEOG 12: Wilderness, Culture, and Environmental Conservation
GEOG 13: Population, Culture, and the Environment
GEOG 14: Global Water Resources
GEOG 18: Urbanization and the Environment
GEOG 19: Gender, Space, and the Environment
GEOG 31: Forest Geography
GEOG 35: River Processes and Watershed Science
Critical Urban and Identity Studies

GEOG 21: The North American City
GEOG 23: Power, Territoriality, and Political Geography
GEOG 24: American Landscapes and Culture
GEOG 25: Social Justice and the City
GEOG 27: Race, Identity and Rights: Geographic Perspectives on Law
GEOG 28: Immigration, Race, and Identity
GEOG 51: Urban Applications of GIS
GEOG 56: Mapping Health and Disease
International Development

GEOG 6: Geographies of Development
GEOG 15: Food and Power
GEOG 16: Political Economy of Development
GEOG 17: Geopolitics of Third World Development
GEOG 26: Women, Gender and Development
GEOG 40: Africa: Ecology and Development
GEOG 42: Environment, Development & Inequality in South Asia
GEOG 41: Gender, Space and Islam
GEOG 43: Latin America
GEOG 44: Environment and Politics in Southeast Asia
GEOG 47: The Czech Republic in the New Europe
GEOG 81: Field Research in the Czech Republic
GEOG 82: Independent Study in the Czech Republic
REQUIREMENTS

THE MINOR

• Minimum number of courses: 7
• Pre-requisites: G1 or G3 and any 1 from G11 or any course in the 50 range
• Required courses: 5 courses. Note: If using FSP only G47 & 81 can be used
• G90 (culminating experience) required: Recommended
• Paperwork needed: Geography chair signature
• Other requirements: None

1.       SAT Reasoning or ACT (with Writing);

2.       2 SAT Subject Test Scores;

3.       The common application essay;

4.       Within the Common Application, Dartmouth’s writing supplement requires that applicants write a brief response to one of the following supplemental essay prompts. Candidates choose one topic and respond;

5.       A counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations. In addition, a peer recommendation is strongly encouraged;

6.       Resume;

7.       Brief abstract of an independent research project;

8.       IELTS or TOEFL (no minimum scores)

Dartmouth Scholarships are need-based and are given without expectation of repayment. Amounts range from $1,000 to over $50,000, depending on our determination of your eligibility. Some Dartmouth students will be selected as recipients of one or more of our over 750 endowed scholarship funds. These awards are not additional money, but indicate that the aid already awarded will come from a specific endowed fund. No separate application is required. Students who receive scholarships from external sources can use these funds to reduce the loan and/or job portions of their financial aid packages. Veteran's benefits are included as a resource in the determination of eligibility for Dartmouth scholarship awards. Dartmouth College currently participates at 100% in the Yellow Ribbon Program which supplements GI Bill benefits. For U.S. citizens or permanent residents, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only form required to apply for Federal Financial Aid. The federal government provides Pell Grants to students who qualify on the basis of financial need as determined by their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded by the College to the most needy students. They vary in amount but do not exceed $4,000 a year. When you apply for financial aid, your parents' country of residence will determine which documents you need to submit. Parents living outside U.S. and Canada should provide income/benefits statement from employer.

The Geography program at Dartmouth College offers students a comprehensive exploration of the physical and human aspects of the Earth's surface. Throughout the course of study, students engage with a diverse range of topics including environmental processes, spatial analysis, urban development, and cultural geography. The program emphasizes critical thinking, quantitative methods, and fieldwork to provide a well-rounded understanding of geographical phenomena. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, enabling them to conduct independent research and participate in collaborative projects. The curriculum is designed to develop analytical skills and foster a global perspective, preparing graduates for careers in environmental planning, urban development, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academia. Dartmouth's Geography program encourages interdisciplinary learning, integrating insights from geology, anthropology, economics, and political science to address complex spatial issues. Students are encouraged to study abroad and gain international experience, which is integral to understanding global geographic patterns. Faculty members are renowned for their expertise and contribute actively to research that advances the field. The program aims to cultivate environmentally responsible citizens equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to address pressing geographical challenges, such as climate change, resource management, and sustainable development. Graduates of Dartmouth’s Geography program leave equipped with a deep understanding of the Earth's physical landscapes and human-environment interactions, ready to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields.