The Geographic Information Science (GIS) minor is available to students who want to learn GIS without majoring in geography. GIS refers to working with spatial data, which is useful in many fields, including urban planning, environmental analysis, cartography, retail and real estate, health, and military intelligence.
Requirements
The GIS minor requires the completion of a minimum of 15 credits, at least 9 of them at the 300 level or above taken in residence at UWM. The College of Letters & Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. The following are required:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 215 | Introduction to Geographic Information Science | 3 |
| GEOG 525 | Geographic Information Science | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Data Science and Environmental Applications | ||
| Remote Sensing: Environmental and Land Use Analysis | ||
| Cartography | ||
| Spatial Analysis | ||
| Intermediate Geographic Information Science | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Letters & Science Minor Advising
Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a UWM college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.
Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first UWM classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.