About the Department
Geographers explore the earth and use cutting-edge technology to portray and understand our world. An education in geography prepares you to help make a difference in our modern world by combining local and global perspectives to find creative ways to solve real problems. At UNK, students can earn minors in Geography, GIScience, and Environmental Science.
Human geographers concentrate on people and their activities, such as culture, economics, history, and political systems. Physical geographers concentrate on the earth and topics such as climate, landforms, soils, and the natural environment. Geographic Information Science (GIScience), including GIS, remote sensing, and cartography, is used by both human and physical geographers to bring a spatial perspective to our knowledge of the world.
"I graduated from UNK in 2005 with a double major in Geography and Computer Information Systems. Looking back, I am very happy with my undergraduate experience at UNK. The geography faculty prepared me very well for an academic career by giving me opportunities to co-author journal articles, present papers at undergraduate and regional academic conferences, and participate in faculty research. When I started graduate school, I realized that my peers from larger universities had not had those kinds of experience as undergraduates. Today I am an assistant professor of geography at Northwest Missouri State. My teaching style emulates several of the professors I had while at UNK."
Beyond the Classroom
The Department of Geography at the University of Nebraska at Kearney offers students opportunities to get involved in student organizations, undergraduate research, internships, and to earn scholarships toward their education. All of these opportunities help students to advance their knowledge of Geography, and to become more successful in their future careers.
Student Resources
- Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) GTU is an international honor society in geography. Members of GTU have met academic requirements and share a background and interest in geography.
- GIScience Lab The GIScience Lab is housed in Copeland Hall Room 220 serves as a classroom and features state of the art computer technology with GIS, Remote Sensing, and Cartography software.
Research/Internships
- Geography Research The Department of Geography emphasizes integrated teaching and research. Geography students are involved in a wide range of research projects, some as a part of upper-level Geography courses, and others through the Summer Student Research Program, the Honors Program, and the University Research Fellow Program. Our annual newsletter highlights recent research in the department.
- Internships The department has an active internship program. In the last few years, students have been involved with internships near by in Minden, Nebraska and a regional planning commission in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Scholarships
- Outstanding Senior/Student Award This is awarded to a student majoring in Geography who has shown exemplary commitment to his or her studies.
- Riley & Rodney Oestreicher Scholarship Fund Candidates for this scholarship shall be pursuing a major in psychology, history, geography or sociology. Recipients shall be sophomore, junior or senior in class standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Financial aid will be taken into consideration.
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