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Satellite image of great lakes (Public domain)

Geography and Geospatial Sciences

Geography is an exciting field that recognizes the complex relationships and linkages of human and natural systems; geography is the science of place. As such, geographers study and analyze many of today’s pressing issues, which range from climate change, human modification of the Earth’s systems, environmental hazards, resource assessment and land use to population distributions, urbanization, cultural adaption, political organization of space and globalization. Geographers’ tools, skill sets and techniques, which include computer cartography, remote sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), are recognized increasingly as essential for solving many contemporary questions and are not only being adopted by businesses and governmental agencies but also by wider society. More people are recognizing that geography is fundamental to understanding our world and solving many of the problems that confront us.

Geography faculty
The Science of Where

Our Programs

Fast Facts

Ratio of Students/Faculty

10.5

Students

1

Faculty

Number of Students

55

Undergraduate

16

Graduate

Department Scholarships Awarded

1 in 3 Students

Majors & Minors

3

Majors

3

Minors

Certificates

2

Job Placement Rate

95% (as of 2019)

Career Development Opportunities -

Geography and Geospatial Sciences Events

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Geography and Geospatial Sciences News

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A participant flies a drone in the Lakota Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Program.

SDSU, Oglala Lakota College partner for drone training

A collaboration between South Dakota State University and Oglala Lakota College this past summer brought uncrewed aircraft systems technology to tribal members at the college in Kyle and at Lower Brule High School. ...

EROS director to speak at SDSU

Pete Doucette, director of the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center near Baltic, will share the mission of the U.S. Geological Survey facility at a free public lecture at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center.

SDSU grad explores feasibility of Earthships in Brookings County

What in the world is an Earthship? Like many, Whitney Yeboah wasn't sure either until she learned of Mike Reynolds, of Taos, New Mexico, after taking an ecotourism class at South Dakota State University.