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Satellite image of great lakes (Public domain)

Geography and Geospatial Sciences

Welcome to the Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences at South Dakota State University. 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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Apr 27

SDSU Drone Day

Geography and Geospatial Sciences News

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Celebration of Faculty Excellence awards table and display

SDSU faculty recognized for excellence

The annual South Dakota State University Celebration of Faculty Excellence recognized 25 faculty members, researchers and scientists Tuesday. The event honors faculty members in the university's colleges for outstanding research, teaching and service.

SDSU’s remote sensing program earns world ranking  

South Dakota State University’s remote sensing program has been ranked as one of the top academic programs in the world by the Shanghai Ranking’s 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. ...

SDSU team wins regional GeoBowl, member moves on to world competition

A team of students representing the South Dakota State University Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences won the regional Geography Bowl competition for the third year in a row.