Geography (Physical / Environmental)

Geographers are interested in a wide range of topics and often work in interdisciplinary teams that analyze challenges like environmental change, resource use, and economic issues in an increasingly interdependent world.  Physical and environmental geography emphasizes the complex interactions between the natural world and human behavior.  Students learn to identify, delineate and manage a range of environmental problems facing society from climate and vegetation change to river management.  Geography prepares students for a variety of professions including careers in environmental impact assessment, mapping, remote sensing, geographic information analysis, government service, military intelligence, as well as education. Geographers are interested in a wide range of topics and often work in interdisciplinary teams that analyze challenges like environmental change, resource use, and economic issues in an increasingly interdependent world.  Geography majors receive marketable skills during their undergraduate experience.  Recent graduates work for companies such as ESRI and Garmin.  MU geography graduates have also found employment with government agencies, including the National Park Service, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and Missouri Department of Transportation.   

This is an emphasis area of the following major:

• Geography, BA

This major has the following additional emphasis areas:

• General Geography
• Geographic Information Sciences
• Regional / Cultural

Photo from Mizzou Creative

You can do nearly anything with a Mizzou degree, but here are some common career paths taken by graduates of this major:

• Atmospheric and Space Scientists
• Climate Change Policy Analysts
• Conservation Scientists
• Energy Auditors
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
• Geographers
• Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
• Hydrologists
• Range Managers
• Surveyors
• Sustainability Specialists