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Geography and 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 follow the printed version of the College Catalog, and 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 40 credits. All students must complete the four core courses (16 credits) and a senior thesis. In addition, all students completing the major must successfully complete one course from each of the three areas of concentration: human, physical and research techniques.

Geography Core Courses (take all):
GEO 1500  Human Geography: An Introduction (4 credits)
GEO 1600  Earth Revealed (4 credits)
GEO 1610  Mapping Your World: Introduction to Geographic Information Science (4 credits)
GEO 3300  Analytical Techniques in Geography and Earth Science (4 credits)
GEO 4990  Senior Thesis Completion (0 credits)

Human Geography Courses (choose one):
GEO 2100  The Human Landscape
GEO 2300  Economic Geography
GEO 3450  Urban Geography

Physical Geography Courses (choose one):
GEO 3200  Hydrology
GEO 3700  Climatology
GEO 3800  Soil Science

Research Techniques in Geography Courses (choose one):
GEO 2610  Advanced Geographic Information Science
GEO 2700  Satellite Image and Airphoto Analysis

The required senior thesis may be generated in conjunction with completion of GEO 4000. The remaining credit requirements can be fulfilled by taking elective courses in the Department of Geography and Earth Science. Trip courses will be approved to count toward the major on a course-by-course basis.

Minor in Geography and Earth Science

The minor in geography consists of 24 credits.

Geography Core Courses (take all):
GEO 1500  Human Geography: An Introduction (4 credits)
GEO 1600  Physical Geography: An Introduction (4 credits)
GEO 1610  Mapping Your World: Introduction to Geographic Information Science (4 credits)

In addition, students completing the minor must successfully complete one course from each of the three areas of concentration: human, physical and research techniques. (See list 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):
GEO 1610  Mapping Your World: Introduction to Geographic Information Science
GEO 2610  Advanced Geographic Information Science and Analytical Cartography
GEO 2700  Satellite Image and Airphoto Analysis

Statistics (choose one):
MTH 1050  Elementary Statistics
BUS 2340  Business Statistics
GEO 2900  Population Geography and Statistical Analysis

Computer Science:
CSC 1110  Principles of Computer Science I

Elective (choose one):
GEO 3100  Business Geographics
GEO 4600  Applied Projects in Geographic Information Science
CSC 3410  Database Design and Management

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 advisors and seek guidance from the Departments of Geography and Earth Science and Physics and Astronomy. For a Climatology and Meteorology Minor, students will complete 28 credits, comprising the following list of courses:

Geography
GEO 1600 Earth Revealed
GEO 2550 Meteorology
GEO 3700 Climatology
PHY/GEO 4100 Science of Global Climate Change

Physics
PHY 2200 General Physics I
PHY 3300 Thermodynamics
PHY/GEO 4100 Science of Global Climate Change

Honors in the Major

The Carthage Geography and Earth Science Department offers honors in the major. Honors are awarded at the discretion of department faculty. Students are eligible for Honors in Geography and Earth Science 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. Please see department chair for details.

Academics at Carthage

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 leads to real world success. Read more.

Faculty Spotlight

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