Program Overview

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Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, BA

The Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) major covers the conceptual foundations and technical skills needed to harness maps and geospatial data. Courses range from graphic design and web mapping to big-data analytics and mobile application development, all with important laboratory components working with industry-standard cartography and GIS technology.

How to Get in

• No application required.
• All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare.
• For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers.
• Courses required to get in: None
• GPA requirements to get in: None
• Credits required to get in: None
• Other: None

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education.

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

• Mathematics: Complete the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A) and Quantitative Reasoning B (QR-B) coursework.
• Language: Complete the fourth unit of a language other than English, or complete the third unit of a language and the second unit of an additional language other than English.
• L&S Breadth: 12 credits of Humanities, 12 credits of Social Science, and 12 credits of Natural Science.
• Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: Complete at least 108 credits.
• Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work: Complete at least 60 credits at the intermediate or advanced level.
• Major: Declare and complete at least one major.
• Total Credits: Complete at least 120 credits.
• UW-Madison Experience: 30 credits in residence, overall, and 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
• Quality of Work: 2.000 in all coursework at UWMadison, and 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UWMadison.

Requirements for the Major

Breadth

3 courses, 1 each from these areas:

• Human Geography (1 course): 3 credits
• People-Environment (1 course): 3 credits
• Physical Geography (1 course): 3 credits

Skills, Techniques & Methodology

• Core Cartography/GIS: 24-25 credits
• Quantitative Methods (1 course): 3-4 credits
• Mathematics Proficiency: 6 credits

Depth

Complete two of: 7-8 credits

Capstone

Complete one of: 3-6 credits

Residence and Quality of Work

• 2.000 GPA in GEOG and major courses
• 2.000 GPA on 15 upper-level credits, taken in residence
• 15 credits in GEOG, taken on the UWMadison campus

Honors in the Major

To earn Honors in the Major in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major and the following additional requirements:

• Earn a 3.300 overall university GPA
• Earn a 3.300 GPA for all GEOG courses, and all courses accepted in the major
• Complete GEOG 578: GIS Applications with a grade of B or better
• Complete at least one advanced-level course OR 6 credits of honors credits in the major at the 300 level or above
• Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in GEOG 681 Senior Honors Thesis and GEOG 682 Senior Honors Thesis, a piece of original research composition, for a total of 6 credits.

University Degree Requirements

• Total Degree: To receive a bachelor's degree from UWMadison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits.
• Residency: Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UWMadison.
• Quality of Work: Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply cartographic design principles and visual storytelling to transform geospatial data into actionable insights.
2. Apply appropriate technologies and methods, including geographic information systems (GIS) and informed geodatabase design, to analyze qualitative and quantitative geospatial data.
3. Use appropriate geographic concepts, methods, and technologies to interpret the dynamic interactions among human and natural characteristics of place and space.
4. Combine geospatial theories, methodologies, and project management strategies to design and conduct ethical cartographic and geographic research and development.
5. Utilize appropriate GIS-based spatial decision tools to inform discussions of social, economic, and environmental issues that confront policymakers and citizens.
6. Discuss complex geospatial data, concepts, and technologies using written, oral, and visual forms of communication appropriate for technical, non-technical, and community-based audiences.

Four-Year Plan

This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major.

• First Year:
  • Fall: MATH 112, Communication A, Foreign Language, Humanities Breadth, Elective
  • Spring: MATH 113, Ethnic Studies, Foreign Language, Literature Breadth, Elective
• Second Year:
  • Fall: STAT 301, GEOG 370, INTER-LS 210, Literature Breadth, Elective
  • Spring: GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377, Communication B, Biological Science Breadth, Elective
• Third Year:
  • Fall: GEOG 378, Major course: Human Geography, Electives
  • Spring: 500-level Cartography/GIS Elective, Biological Science Breadth, Humanities Breadth, Major course: People-Environment Geography
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: GEOG/ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL/G L E/GEOSCI/LAND ARC 371, Major course: Physical Geography, GEOG 565, Electives
  • Spring: 500-level Cartography/GIS Elective, Electives

Advising and Careers

The Department of Geography undergraduate advisor is available to answer questions about the major, courses, and careers. Cartography and GIS is a booming profession with a wide range of career opportunities in local, national, and international government positions, as well as in private industry.