Geography, BS BS
In high school, your geography class probably focused on maps and locations – but the field is so much broader than that. Geography bridges the physical and human world, using both scientific and humanistic methods to explain, predict, and interpret people's impact on the planet and the planet's impact on people.
UWM's geography students graduate with exceptional abilities, both intellectual and technological, to analyze data about space, place, and people - and how they relate to each other. They understand how to make sense of seemingly unrelated pieces of information by bringing together diverse facts and values. They also are adept at presenting information visually - for example, maps!
Some examples of research topics that today's geographers are tackling include climate change, land use patterns, environmental justice, racial segregation, migration and refugees, natural hazards, and animal migration.
Geographic Information Science (GIS) is a growing specialty within geography. GIS is a technical system for capturing, storing, and analyzing diverse types of data in relation to location on Earth, and it enhances decision-making in both the private and public sectors. For example, a small town may use GIS data to determine where to place fire stations and personnel based on patterns of forest fires and populations; or a corporation may use GIS to plan the location of a new store based on shopping and traffic patterns.
At UWM, students can either focus on GIS or choose another specialty track: the urban track, investigating the dynamics of cities and urbanization; the climate-environment track, for those interested in climate change, natural hazards, and environmental problems and policy; or the globalization, societies and cultures track, for a broad approach to human geography and issues like economic, social, and racial inequality; migration; and cultural change.
Career Resources and Job Outcomes
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
Should I choose the Bachelor of Science (BS) or the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Geography?
A geography degree can be completed as either a BS or a BA.
The BS contains more lab science coursework and is better suited for students more interested in physical geography and science-based careers such as working for the Department of Natural Resources.
Students more interested in human and cultural geography will find the Bachelor of Arts degree well-suited for non-science based careers such as working in administrative or program management roles.
Students interested in GIS can choose either the BA or a BS and should consider adding the GIS minor.
Listed below are the requirements for the Geography major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages.
Geography Major Requirements
Students must meet with the department's undergraduate advisor to declare geography as a major.
Geography majors may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. In satisfying their major requirements, all students must complete at least 30 credits in geography, 18 of which must be at or above the 300 level, with at least 15 of those taken in residence at UWM. Courses taken outside geography that fulfill geography requirements will be included in the major GPA. Majors must have a 2.0 GPA in all geography credits attempted at UWM, as well as in any transfer work counting toward the Geography major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Select one of the following courses in human geography: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Human Geography | ||
| The World: Peoples and Regions | ||
| Geography of Race in the United States | ||
| Globalization and Economic Development | ||
| Geography of Asia | ||
| Select one of these courses in physical or environmental geography: | 3 | |
| Our Physical Environment | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Geography 1 | ||
| The following courses are required for all majors: | ||
| GEOG 215 | Introduction to Geographic Information Science | 3 |
| GEOG 247 | Quantitative Analysis in Geography 2 | 3 |
| GEOG 600 | Perspectives on Geography (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 |
| Select one of the following upper-level experiential learning courses: 3 | 3 | |
| Geography Field Work | ||
| Internship in Geography, Upper Division 4 | ||
| Study Abroad: | ||
| GIS/Cartography Internship 4 | ||
| Independent Work 4 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 credits in geography electives numbered 300 or above | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
In order to fulfill the physical/environmental geography requirement for the major, CES 210 Introduction to Conservation and Environmental Science will be accepted as a substitute for GEOG 125.
- 2
PSYCH 210, SOCIOL 261, or MTHSTAT 215 shall be accepted as a substitute for GEOG 247 to fulfill the statistics requirement for students majoring in geography. With the approval of the undergraduate advisor, majors may substitute a different elementary statistics course from another discipline for the GEOG 247 requirement.
- 3
CES 489 (Internship in Environmental Studies, Upper Division) or CES 451 (Field Methods in Conservation) will be accepted to fulfill this requirement.
- 4
Students must obtain approval from their faculty advisor and the undergraduate coordinator to select one of these courses.
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Because of the skills obtained through the study of geography, our alumni go on to a variety of careers that leverage their combined knowledge of physical science, spatial awareness, ability to manage data and technology, and understanding of culture and human behavior.
Careers in GIS, natural resource and public works, trade, transportation, energy, tourism and more are all possibilities.
Students graduating from the geography Bachelor’s degree program will be able to:
- Identify and explain patterns and processes of human and physical geography including the diversity of the earth’s peoples and environments, and the interactions between humanity and the earth’s environments.
- Demonstrate competency in comprehending, constructing, and processing spatial information in maps, graphs, and spatial datasets.
- Evaluate and interpret contemporary problems contextually at local, regional, and global scales.
- Design and complete a guided research project in their area of concentration, using appropriate geographic research skills and methods, such as GIS, spatial analysis and/or other quantitative methods, or qualitative methods (including archival research, interviews, etc.).
- Clearly and effectively communicate geographic knowledge and research in writing, orally, and/or visually.