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Geography & Earth Science

Major & 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.

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.

Please note: Current students should work with their advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.


Geography and Earth Science Major

The Geography and Earth Science major consists of 36 credits.

Geography Core Courses (take all):
GEOS 151 Human Geography: An Introduction
GEOS 155 Physical Geography: An Introduction
GEOS 239 Mapping Your World: Introduction to Geographic Information Science

Human Geography Courses (choose one):
GEOS 206 The Human Landscape
GEOS 215 Economic Geography
GEOS 249 Population Geography and Statistical Analysis
GEOS 285 Geography of East Asia
GEOS 349 Transportation Geography and Business Logistics
GEOS 373 Urban Geography

Physical Geography Courses (choose one):
GEOS 225 Environmental Geography: Working with the Earth
GEOS 229 Natural Disasters
GEOS 245 Biogeography
GEOS 255 Meteorology
GEOS 265 Process Geomorphology
GEOS 319 Hydrology
GEOS 329 Forest Ecology
GEOS 365 Climatology
GEOS 369 Soil Science
GEOS 415 The Science of Global Climate Change

Research Techniques in Geography Courses (choose one):
GEOS 240 Satellite Image and Airphoto Analysis
GEOS 249 Population Geography and Statistical Analysis
GEOS 321 Analytical Techniques in Geography
GEOS 305 Business Geographics
GEOS 339 Advanced Geographic Information Science
GEOS 399 Methods of Field Research
GEOS 400 Senior Seminar in Geography
GEOS 411 Applied Projects in Geographic Information Science
GEOS 450 Independent Study in Geography
GEOS 490 Research in Geography

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.

Geography Core Courses (take all):
GEOS 151 Human Geography: An Introduction
GEOS 155 Physical Geography: An Introduction
GEOS 239 Mapping Your World: Introduction to Geographic Information Science

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.

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 (take all):
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 (choose one):
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 (choose one):
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

The 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
GEOS 255 Meteorology
GEOS 365 Climatology
GEOS/PHYS 415 Science of Global Climate Change

Physics
PHYS 203 Intermediate Physics I
PHYS 360 Thermostatistics
PHYS/GEOS 415 Science of Global Climate Change

Honors in the Major

The Carthage Geography and Earth Science Department offers honors in the major. Please see the 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 geography faculty, been formally recommended by geography faculty, and maintained an overall G.P.A. of 3.5 at graduation.

Academic Resources

Prospective Students

Student Achievement

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Posters on the Hill. Geography student presents research in Washington D.C.

Research Opportunities

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience lets students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor.

Faculty Spotlight

Carthage students and recent graduates joined geography professor Joy Mast on a field study in an Arizona forest. Read more.