Geography & Geology

The Department of Geography and Geology offers an array of physical science, social science and technical courses. The department has more undergraduate geography majors than any other program in Wisconsin. Majors and minors serve a wide range of academic interests and career paths that students may pursue. The six tracks in the geography major include:

• General Geography
• Geology
• International/Regional
• Physical/Environmental
• Quantitative/Technical
• Urban/Suburban

Degrees in Education (BSE, General Science-Broadfield Earth Science, Social Studies-Broadfield I or II emphasis) may also include a geography major.

Minors in geography, geology, elementary education, environmental studies and urban area development are also available. A new Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certificate can be earned by geography and non-geography students. With excellent computing facilities, students acquire state-of-the-art GIS skills highly sought by businesses and public agencies in today's job market.

The College of Letters and Sciences is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

The department takes pride in its reputation for preparing students for graduate school and productive employment by combining a knowledge track and technical competency skills. Potential positions include:

• City or county planner
• Cartographer
• Community development agent
• Environmental analyst
• Land use planner
• GIS specialist
• Transportation planner
• Market researcher
• School teacher
• Climate research specialist
• Site location analyst
• GIS software engineer
• Database manager
• Remote sensing analyst

All tenure-track faculty and most academic staff in geography possess doctorate degrees. Several have employed students to help with their research grants and some offer travel study opportunities. Strong student evaluations of instructors indicate a high measure of effective teaching.

The department is fortunate to possess many ways to provide financial assistance to students. The Fischer Scholarship Program currently provides scholarships each semester for over 40 students. Those pursuing degrees in education with majors or minors in geography are eligible, as are selected geography majors who are assisting the department in its educational mission. Awards range from $500 to full tuition a semester.

The Folkerth Scholarship recognizes one or two geography majors each year who demonstrate their love for geography and share their knowledge and enthusiasm with faculty and students. The department also hires students as technical specialists assisting in computer labs and assistants on faculty-generated teaching and research grants.

Given the diversity of emphases possible within the discipline of geography, a wide array of high school courses provide sufficient preparation. However, those students interested in physical geography should take as much science and mathematics as possible in high school. Competent mathematical, writing and oral communication skills are desirable.

Internships with local businesses, environmental offices, city, county and regional planning agencies are available. Most internships are paid. Recent firms/agencies include:

• American Family Insurance
• Ayres and Associates
• City of Janesville
• Jefferson County
• Johnson Controls
• Kemper Insurance
• Land Information Office
• Pheasants Forever
• Polacheck Company
• Verlo Mattress
• Wisconsin DOT

Placement reports indicate that over 90 percent of geography graduates surveyed are enrolled in a graduate program or have secured a full-time position within months of graduation. A partial list of employers of recent graduates includes:

• American Family Insurance
• Ayres and Associates
• City and County Agencies
• ESRI (GIS software firm)
• Federated Department Stores
• Johnson Controls
• Kemper Insurance
• Kohl's Corporation
• Rand McNally
• State of Wisconsin
• Thompson and Associates
• Ternary Spatial Research

Students enjoy a study break in Upham Hall where the geography & geology department is located.

The Whitewater Geography Association (WGA) is very active, sponsoring a variety of social, educational and travel opportunities for students. A local chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, geography's national student organization, is open to qualified students.

All tracks in the geography major have a required common core and then required and elective courses tailored to the track.

Required Common Core
Introduction to Geography (1 unit)
Physical Geography (5 units)
Human Geography (3 units)
Introduction to Mapping (3 units)
Applied Research Methods (4 units)

For the geology track, Geology 100 or Geology 101 can be taken. Track Required/Elective Courses Requirements for each track appear on the department's homepage located at: http://academics.uww.edu/geography/.