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.

Related Programs

For the teaching major and minor, see the School of Education section of this catalog. A related special major is International Studies. Related certificate programs include Asian Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Middle Eastern and North African Studies.

Requirements

The geography minor requires the completion, with a GPA of 2.0 or above in all geography courses attempted at UWM, of 18 credits in geography courses, at least 9 of which must be at the 300 level or above taken in residence at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all courses attempted in the minor, including transfer work. The following are required:

Cross-listed Course

The following course offered by the Department of Geosciences may be used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major or minor in geography.

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.