Geography
Geographers examine physical and cultural patterns and processes to gain insight into human habitation of the earth. They emphasize the importance of the relative location of places and events, the character and interplay of natural and cultural processes and regions, and the relations between cultures and the physical environment. Their answers provide geographical knowledge critical to decision makers in business, resource management, law, education, planning, government/public affairs and health sciences. Similarly, they work closely with and make important research contributions to other disciplines such as geology, ecology, archaeology and anthropology, biology, history, economics and the humanities.
Why study geography?
- With training in both the physical and social sciences, and geographic techniques such as geographic information systems, global positioning systems and computer cartography, geographers from UW-Eau Claire have a range of career opportunities in business, government, research, planning and teaching.
- Through field research using cutting-edge technology (including GPS and ground penetrating radar), and hands-on training with state-of-the-art GIS and other computing technology, geographers from UW-Eau Claire are well equipped with the skills and experience demanded by 21st century employers. Geography students at UW-Eau Claire gain valuable experience with solving real-world problems, gathering and analyzing data, interpreting earth surface processes, functioning as part of interdisciplinary research teams and producing and presenting technical reports, all while using a wide variety of field, laboratory and geographic research methods, tools and techniques.
- Geographers at UW-Eau Claire are trained to play key roles in finding solutions to vital issues such as crime, transportation, world hunger, waste disposal, water management, environmental hazards, natural and cultural resource management, agriculture and housing.
- Geography is solid preparation for graduate studies.
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Learn about the advantages of studying geography at UW-Eau Claire. |
Career options
- Plan, build and manage GISs for public and private sector applications.
- Work as a professional cartographer by designing and drawing maps for local, state or federal agencies involved in land use planning and management.
- Work for businesses by selecting sites for shopping centers or factories.
- Make maps and create and manage GIS databases for corporations.
- Serve as a geomorphologist or environmental analyst for an environmental engineering company.
- Work for a travel company.
- Work as a geoarchaeologist in a private cultural resource management firm.
- Work for governmental agencies in land use planning and natural and cultural resource management.
- Develop computer software to process satellite imagery and environmental resource databases.
- Teach social studies in elementary schools or geography in secondary schools, or receive a graduate degree and teach at a college or university.
Undergraduate programs
The UW-Eau Claire department of geography offers:
Comprehensive majors
- Geography – resource management
- Geography – international studies
Standard majors
- Geography – physical
- Geography – human
- Geography – geographic techniques
- Geography – liberal arts
- Geography – teaching
Minors
- Geography – liberal arts
- Geography – teaching
Areas of emphasis in minor: physical geography, cultural geography, cartography, land use, urban-economic geography
Geography courses also are an important component of the interdisciplinary environmental science minor.
Note: Students are encouraged to minor or take courses in related areas such as geology, biology, archaeology and anthropology, computer science, economics, history, mathematics, sociology, political science and business.
High school preparation
- Students should be interested in environmental and human relationships, people and places in the United States and abroad, weather and climate, soils, water and earth resources, landforms, ecology and the quality of life in rural and urban areas. Geography majors also should enjoy working outdoors, taking field trips and working with computers.
- Students planning to major in geography are encouraged to successfully complete high school courses in English, mathematics, earth and physical sciences, public speaking, history and geography.
- All students who enroll at UW-Eau Claire are required to have a minimum of 17 college preparatory units including:
– 4 years of English (at least 3 composition and literature)
– 2 years of a single foreign language
– 3 years of math (algebra, geometry, 1 advanced college preparatory math)
– 3 years of natural science
– 3 years of social science (1 must be world or American history)
– 2 additional units in the areas already mentioned or other academic areas
Freshman course work (sample first year)
Fall semester
- Hist 124, World History to 1500, 3 credits
- Engl 110, Introduction to College Writing, 5 credits
- Social Science, General education elective, 3 credits
- Natural Science, General education elective, 3 credits
- Humanities elective, 3 credits
Spring semester
- Hist 125, World History since 1500, 3 credits
- Communications, General education elective, 3 credits
- Social Science, General education elective, 3 credits
- Natural Science, General education elective, 3 credits
- Humanities elective, 3 credits
For more information
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