Dr. Liang Mao
Undergraduate Coordinator for Geography
(352) 294-7516
Geography concerns many facets of physical and human landscapes, spatial analysis, and underlying environmental and social processes at local, regional, national and international levels. Geographers address grand challenge questions of the earth and human society, such as climate change, globalization, pandemics, sustainable development, and geopolitical conflicts.
Through our major, minor, and certificate programs, students learn how geographic techniques, skills and concepts are applied by professionals in various subfields of geography. Computer-based lab assignments teach how to analyze geographic information and apply interpretation of data toward problem solving or modeling. Graduates can interpret and effectively communicate information spatially, graphically and/or with statistics.
Here is why it might be suitable for you:
- There are career opportunities in geographic information systems the environment, planning, consulting, tourism, site location, mapping, public health, international relations, government, business, etc.
- It is a flexible major, allowing students to focus within Human Geography, Physical Geography, or Geographic Techniques, or to mix coursework across these areas.
- Geography coursework meets Physical Science, Biologic Science, Social Science, International and Diversity requirements in General Education. Geography majors thus fulfill Department, College and University requirements simultaneously.
- Our majors learn varied geographic techniques that are in demand in today’s job market. Classes are taught mostly in small rooms equipped with multimedia facilities, and in two computer laboratories where students do assignments in physical geography, medial geography, geospatial science, and quantitative analysis.
- Upper division classes are small, allowing majors to interact with one another and the faculty. This facilitates seeking advice regarding your future plans, securing letters of recommendation, and learning about internships or other opportunities.
- One of the projects submitted in GEO4930 is a GEOGRAPHY CAPSTONE, showcasing your best work.
- Social opportunities include the Geography Student Organization webpage, Geography Student Organization Facebook page, Gamma Theta Upsilon (the Geography Honorary Society), and a student-led chapter of the American Meteorological Society. Activities of these groups are social (student-faculty picnics, canoe trips, etc.), academic (invited speakers, attending geography conferences) and service-oriented (Adopt-a-road, Geography Bee, volunteer teaching in geography, environmental clean-up, genocide awareness).
You can find out more about Geography and careers in the UF catalog and/or geography web site to learn more about majoring and minoring in Geography. Then, contact the current Undergraduate Coordinator (Dr. Liang Mao) at his office (3121 Turlington Hall), by phone (352-294-7516) or e-mail (liangmao@ufl.edu) to set up an office appointment.