Explore earth's landscapes and human relationships to the environment.
UC Berkeley Geography is at the forefront of addressing the world’s most pressing crises. From the intensifying climate emergency and widening racial and economic inequalities to the global rise of authoritarianism, the degradation of ecosystems, and the housing crisis, our students learn how to use geography not only to understand the world but to reshape it—toward justice, sustainability, and collective belonging.
As a truly interdisciplinary major, Geography covers everything from cultural, economic, political, and historical geography to biophysical, urban, and regional studies, alongside crucial skills like cartography, quantitative methods, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and fieldwork. Geography graduates go on to make a real difference in the world, applying spatial, holistic thinking in careers at the intersections of society, space, and nature.
Highlights
- Engage in hands-on field study courses from the Bay Area to the Klamath Mountains.
- Get involved with student clubs like Berkeley United Geographers.
- Join faculty-led research projects or conduct your own original study with faculty guidance.
Curriculum
Our curriculum centers around five research areas:
- Earth System Science explores how Earth’s systems interact and how human actions impact the health of ecosystems and communities.
- Political Economies examines how power, inequality, and capitalism shape the value and devaluation of places and people.
- Racial Geographies is concerned with how geography is implicated in the construction and deconstruction of race and its symptoms.
- Critical Environments interrogates how ideas about nature and science are shaped by politics and history.
- Geospatial Representation asks who gets to represent space and time—and how that shapes understanding and power.
Learn more at geography.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies
Study Options
The Geography major can be completed in one year, leaving time for students to add a minor, double major, and explore opportunities beyond the classroom, including field research, internships, and study abroad. Many Geography majors conduct original research by completing a Geography Honors Thesis, exploring topics they are passionate about while working closely with a faculty advisor.
Declaring the Major
First-year students who are accepted to UC Berkeley are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. Students are eligible to declare the Geography major after completing two of the three lower division requirements.
Junior transfer students may be accepted directly into the Geography major, and are able to use community college coursework as substitutions for lower division requirements with approval from the Undergraduate Major Advisor.
To declare the major, make an appointment with the Undergraduate Major Advisor.
The Geography major equips students with a powerful combination of critical thinking, spatial analysis, interdisciplinary knowledge, and global awareness. By learning how to analyze complex systems—both natural and social—graduates are prepared to tackle real-world challenges like climate change, urban inequality, global migration, and environmental justice. Geography bridges the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. This versatility makes graduates adaptable and prepared for a range of careers in research, policy, advocacy, and education.
Geography majors often develop skills in geospatial technologies (like GIS and remote sensing), which are in high demand across industries—from government and tech to environmental consulting and community development. Most importantly, Geography emphasizes equity, justice, and diverse ways of knowing—making graduates thoughtful, informed citizens ready to make meaningful contributions to a rapidly changing and interconnected world.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- City Planner
- Climate Scientist
- Community Economic Development Coordinator
- Energy Management Consultant
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Justice Organizer
- Field Research Analyst
- Forester
- Geospatial Data Scientist
- Housing Policy Director
- Journalist
- Non-profit Executive Director
- Public Health Project Manager
- Transportation Policy Analyst
- Visual Designer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Architecture
- Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
- City and Regional Planning
- Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
- Earth and Planetary Science
- Environmental Science
- Law
- Public Health
- Public Policy
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Social Anthropology
- Urban Demography
Noelani, class of 2023
Noelani Fixler's experience as a Geography major sparked their passion for civic engagement and a future career in policy. Using their knowledge as a geographer from courses in urban field studies, housing policy, and transportation planning, Noelani advocates for meaningful change at the intersection of transit and housing.
Between their job at UC Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, their volunteer work at East Bay for Everyone, and their research in UC Berkeley’s City Planning MA program, Noelani works toward building a better connected, more accessible, and inclusive future.
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and the L&S New Freshman Student Guide.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Geography major; begin lower division requirements in Basic Physical Geography, Regional Geography, and World Geography.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or Berkeley Changemaker course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization such as Berkeley United Geographers.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Check out the Mapping the Bay exhibit; take an excursion to the Bay Model Visitor Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Geography website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar or Big Ideas course.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see guidelines from the department.
- Enrich your studies with a minor, course thread, or certificate such as New Media.
- Complete lower division requirements and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend the weekly Geography Colloquia Series and other department events.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and Geography websites; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; look into the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on upper division requirements in the Geography research areas; decide if you will work toward a research emphasis.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Consider projects and faculty mentors for the Geography Honors Program or an independent study course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an info session for the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Get inspired by attending the annual Geography Exit Talks and Honors Symposium.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the Association of American Geographers.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Complete an independent study or honors thesis with a Geography faculty mentor.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, Eisner Film and Video Prize, or other awards.
- Apply for Geography awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with Geography alumni, alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like GEOG 182 Field Study of Buildings and Cities or GEOG 189 Visual Geography.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Data Science, Global Public Health and Sustainability.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and the L&S New Transfer Student Guide.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in any needed lower division requirements; otherwise begin upper division requirements in the Geography research areas.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization such as Berkeley United Geographers.
- Attend the weekly Geography Colloquia Series and other department events.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Apply to the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internships Program.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Declare the major; continue with upper division coursework in the Geography research areas.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see guidelines from the department.
- Explore new interests in a Berkeley Changemaker or DeCal course.
- Enrich your studies with a minor, course thread, or certificate such as New Media.
- Consider projects and faculty mentors for the Geography Honors Program or an independent study course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and Geography websites; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Attend an info session for the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
- Get inspired by attending the annual Geography Exit Talks and Honors Symposium.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Geography website.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue taking upper division requirements; decide if you will work toward a research emphasis.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Check out the Mapping the Bay exhibit; take an excursion to the Bay Model Visitor Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with Geography alumni, alumni groups and events.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Complete an independent study or honors thesis with a Geography faculty mentor.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, Eisner Film and Video Prize, or other awards.
- Apply for Geography awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Join a professional association such as the Association of American Geographers.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like GEOG 182 Field Study of Buildings and Cities, or GEOG 189 Visual Geography.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Data Science, Global Public Health and Sustainability.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Geography or choosing a major?
The Geography Undergraduate Major Advisor offers programmatic and individual advising support to prospective and current students. Make an appointment to learn more about the major and minor requirements, course substitutions, schedule planning, course selection, study abroad programs, research opportunities, connecting with Geography alumni, and navigating personal challenges. The department also has an Undergraduate Faculty Advisor who can assist with questions about Geography course content, research, and related careers. Students are also encouraged to connect with Geography faculty who share their interests or with whom they have had classes.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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