Major and Minor Requirements
The study of geography enriches the knowledge and career opportunities of those majoring in other disciplines and prepares geography majors for a wide variety of career opportunities in business, government, and education. At Carthage, geography is a modern applied science that retains its ancient, traditional role as a liberal art. The department continues this tradition by preparing students for productive and rewarding careers while instilling the thought processes, qualities, and habits which are the hallmarks of a liberally educated person. Graduates of the program often are quickly employed in private industry or government positions, or they choose to continue their studies in a graduate program.
The career opportunities for geography majors are highly varied and growing as the field becomes more widely recognized by persons outside the discipline. The U.S. Department of Labor has recently identified geospatial analysis as one of the leading areas of employment in the coming years. The diversity of opportunity is, in part, revealed by the course offerings listed below. Because of this breadth of opportunity, geography students' choices of elective courses outside the major are often as important as their choices within the major. Students majoring in geography are urged to achieve competency in mathematics, statistics, and/or computer studies. The desired level of competency within these disciplines varies with each student's career goals. Prospective geography students are urged to discuss career goals and opportunities with department faculty and to consult Geography as a Professional Field, published by the Association of American Geographers.
Geography and Earth Science Major
The Geography and Earth Science major consists of 36 credits. The core consists of 12 credits and is required of all students. These courses include: GEOS 151, 155, and 239.
In addition, all students completing the major must successfully complete one course from each of the three areas of concentrations: human, physical, and research techniques. The required senior thesis may be generated in conjunction with completion of GEOS 400. The remaining credit requirements can be fulfilled by taking elective courses in the department of Geography and Earth Science.
Minor in Geography and Earth Science
The minor in geography consists of 20 credits. Required courses include GEOS 151, 155, 239. In addition, students completing the minor must successfully complete two upper level geography courses.
(Geography courses numbered 200 and above).
Students pursuing a minor for Wisconsin teacher certification purposes should note that the Wisconsin Department of Instruction requires 22 credits of geography for certification.
Course Distribution:
Geography core courses:
GEOS 151, 155, and 239.
All majors and minors must complete the core.
Human Geography courses:
GEOS 206, 215, 249, 285, 349 and 373.
All majors must choose one of these courses.
Physical Geography courses:
GEOS 225, 229, 245, 255, 265, 319, 329, 365, 369, 415.
All majors must choose one of these courses.
Research techniques in Geography courses:
GEOG 240, 249, 321, 305, 339, 399, 400, 411, 450, and 490.
All majors must choose one of these courses.
Minor in Geographic Information Science (GIS)
The Minor in Geographic Information Science (GIS) allows students create a focus on the techniques and practice of spatial data analysis and its practice within the larger field of information science. This particular emphasis will be of value to students who intend to pursue a career in data
analysis or pursue graduate degrees in the Natural or Social Sciences. The core material highlights the theory and
application of Geographic Information Science. The remaining courses offer background in programming, statistics and
other areas of information and computer science. Students completing the minor will be awarded
a certificate in Geographic Information Science.
To earn the minor and the certificate, students will complete 24 credits in the following areas:
GIS Core
| GEOS 239 | Mapping Your World Introduction to Geographic Information Science |
| GEOS 339 | Advanced Geographic Information Science and Analytical Cartography |
| GEOS 240 | Satellite Image and Airphoto Analysis |
Statistics (Select one of three)
| MATH 106 | Elementary Statistics |
| BUSA 333 | Business Statistics |
| GEOS 249 | Population Geography and Statistical Analysis |
Computer Science
| CSCI 111 | Principles of Computer Science I |
Elective (select one from the following list)
| GEOS 305 | Business Geographics |
| GEOS 411 | Applied Projects in Geographic Information Science |
| CSCI 341 | Database Design and Management |
| ISYS 345 | Information Systems Theory and Practice |
| ISYS 425 | Object-Oriented Systems Analysis |
Certificate in Geographic Information Science
Upon the successful completion of the GIS minor, students will earn a certificate in Geographic Information Science.
Minor in Climatology and Meteorology
Climatology and Meteorology Minor is directed toward students who are interested in pursuing atmospheric scholarship and research, focusing specifically on the atmospheric contributions that the disciplines of Geography and Physics provide.
There are prerequisites to some of the courses for this minor. Students should consult their advisor and seek guidance from the Departments of Geography and Physics.
For a Meteorology and Climatology Minor, students will complete 24 credits, comprising the following list of courses:
Geography
| GEOS 155 | Introduction to Physical Geography | (4 cr.) |
| GEOS 255 | Meteorology | (4 cr.) |
| GEOS 365 | Climatology | (4 cr.) |
| GEOS/PHYS 415 | Science of Global Climate Change | (4 cr.) |
Physics
| PHYS 203 | Intermediate Physics I | (4 cr.) |
| PHYS 360 | Thermostatistics | (4 cr.) |
| PHYS/GEOS 415 | Science of Global Climate Change | (4 cr.) |
Honors in the Major
Please see department chair for details. Honors are awarded at the discretion of the Geography department faculty. Students are eligible for Honors in Geography if they have:
- Completed all requirements for the major
- Received a rating of "excellent" on the Senior Thesis from the faculty of the major department
- Been formally recommended by the faculty of the Geography and Earth Science department
- Maintained an overall G.P.A. of 3.5 at graduation
