Undergraduate Program
Welcome to the Undergraduate Program in Geography! Prospective undergraduate majors will find on this page the options available within the Department of Geography. Follow this link to learn more about the degree requirements for the major in geography.
What do Geographers study?
There are five thematic areas within geography:
1. Physical Geography.Physical geographers study the earth systems and environmental processes, as well as the locational arrangements of each phenomenon and their interactions as physical systems.
2. People-Environment Geography. People-Environment geographers study the interactions between humans and their use of the environment. More specifically, they study the human use, perception, and modification of environments.
3. Human Geography. Human geographers study the location and organization of human settlements and activities over earth space. Human geography explores spatial, economic, political/geopolitical, historic, environmental, population, social, cultural, and urban topics and their connections.
4. Area Studies and Global Systems. Area studies geographers examine the ways in which regions, places, and global systems have acquired distinctive characteristics and problems as a result of their locations, settlement, use by particular peoples and cultures. Other study global cities and the effects of globalization.
5. Cartography and Geographic Information Science. Cartography is the science and techniques of using geospatial data and computer systems to make maps. New maps can be both interactive and online with a deep wealth of detail. GIScience is a field devoted to the acquisition, management, analysis, visualization, and representation of geospatial data. It is relatively new discipline that incorporates GIS, Cartography, and other related geospatial fields. As an academic discipline, GIScience is concerned with both theoretical and applied issues in the creation and use of maps and geospatial databases.
To learn more about the concentrations within the Geography Major visit the undergraduate major requirements in the L&S Undergraduate Catalog.
The Department currently offers over 30 classes in Geography that cover the breadth and depth of the discipline.
Want to meet other Geography majors?
The Geography Club is a student organization open to all undergraduate and graduate students in the department. The Geography Club is an excellent way for you to meet people with similar interests and get involved with the department. You can gain valuable volunteer experience by helping out with club activities. The club sponsors both social and academic events such as field trips, parties, and ice cream socials. It also serves as the liaison between the department and the undergraduate student body. For more information, check the Geography Club bulletin board on the third floor.
Need help in finding out what classes are required for a Geography major?
Students who are considering an undergraduate major in Geography are invited to consult with faculty advisors to discuss the specifics of their undergraduate program. The degree requirements and course offerings pages are helpful in planning a program of study.
What can you do with a degree in Geography?
Careers in geography are quite diverse, ranging from Environmental Impact Specialist to Historic Preservation Planner and Demographic Analyst to Cartographer or Climate Specialist. You can find out more about job opportunities for people with a degree in geography at the Association of American Geographers website. Also read the article "Mapping Opportunities" on why scientists who can combine geographic information systems with satellite data are in demand in a variety of disciplines.
- See the careers of UW Geography grads >
- See what students are working on now >
- Find out more about Cartography >
Job announcements and sources of job information are posted on the bulletin board on the third floor of Science Hall. The Geography Club also maintains a shelf of materials in the Geography Library on finding jobs in geography and related fields. Perhaps the most exciting element of a career in geography is that it combines the best elements from many other disciplines.
How do I become a Geography major?
If you are a prospective new student, see the UW-Madison Undergraduate Admissions page.
If you are currently a student at UW-Madison, declaring a geography major is easy. Please see the Undergraduate Advising page for details.
Interested in a Geography internship?
Internships are an option for all undergraduates. These are available through several local, national, and international agencies and you can receive course credit for completing an internship. Internships can be very valuable experiences for undergraduates, as they provide hands on training in the real world and can create future job connections. It is up to the student to locate and apply to the internships they are interested in. Internship announcements are posted on the third floor of Science Hall and also at Letters & Science Careeer Services.
Is there an honors program in Geography?
Qualified students may pursue a degree in the honors program in Geography. Read the Honors Thesis Guidelines, an overview of the Honors Thesis Timetable, or see a List of Honors Theses. For more information about the requirements for the honors program, talk to the honors advisor. Also, see examples of previous UW Geography Senior Honors Theses.
Are there research projects in Geography?
If you are interested in completing an undergraduate research project, there are several options including independent study, directed study, and senior thesis, which are available to all undergraduates.