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Geography program

Undergrad major Undergrad minor Undergrad certificate

Geographers study the relationship between humans and their environment.

If you want to gain skills to address pressing environmental and societal issues such as climate change, natural disaster management, population growth and globalization, geography might be the right field for you. 

Students in UW-La Crosse’s Geography and Environmental Science Program gain experience using the latest technology to solve problems in their environment. They have access to professional Geographic Information System (GIS) software, drones and other high-end field equipment. Students and instructors work together to understand past and present environmental and societal conditions while developing strategies for building a more resilient and sustainable future. The program has taken students into the local community and all over the world — from the study of environmental contamination in local wetlands to the impact of climate change in the Himalayas.

I’ve gained confidence in myself and my ability to solve problems on my own and overcome shortfalls too, which I’ll need in the job market. I’m so grateful for the undergraduate research experiences I’ve had with my faculty mentor, Dr. Niti Mishra.

Jackson Radenz

Careers in geography and environmental science

Career opportunities for geographers and environmental scientists have increased as our society has placed a need on understanding our environment and careful planning of our land — both locally and internationally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects growth in geography-related jobs in the next decade.

Theories and skills learned in geography apply to a broad range of occupations. Our graduates have went on to work for private businesses, government and non-profit agencies. For more details on alumni careers and wages visit the Geography & Environmental Science careers page. Geography career information is also available on the American Association of Geographers career page.

Positions

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist
  • Environmental scientist
  • Remote sensing specialist
  • Natural resource manager
  • Hydrographic surveyor
  • Urban or regional planner
  • Cartographer
  • Conservation planner
  • Hydrologist
  • Forester
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specialist
  • Environmental consultant
  • Surveyor
  • Sustainability coordinator
  • Transportation planner
  • Natural & cultural resource mapper
  • Meteorologist or climatologist
  • Park ranger

 

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What is geography?

Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the Earth, why they are located there, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the environment. Geographers have skills in cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). There are four main branches of geography: human geography, physical geography, environmental geography, and geographic information science (GIS).

What distinguishes UWL's Geography & Environmental Science program?

Access to cutting-edge labs and software
  • Two state-of-the-art GIS computer labs, each with over 30 high-powered computers with cutting-edge, industry-standard software.
  • Physical Geography and Environmental Science classrooms in the modern Prairie Springs Science Center outfitted for performing physical, chemical and biological analysis of soils, sediment and water. The labs contain an extensive rock and mineral collection, a wide variety of tools for hands-on learning of climate and Earth surface processes, computers loaded with physical geography and GIS-related software, two stream tables, and an augmented reality sandbox.
  • The Physical Geography Research Lab supports hands-on research for students and faculty. This modern wet lab provides the materials and facilities to analyze soils and sediment cores. Students have access to up-to-date scientific instruments to study past and present environments.
  • On-campus weather station. This station is run by the Geography & Environmental Science Department. 
Invested faculty

Dedicated instructors devote considerable amounts of their time to individual students inside and outside of the classroom.

Explore local landscapes

UWL’s campus is located within a mile of towering sandstone bluffs, a 900-acre urban wetland, and the Mississippi River, all accessible through miles of hiking and biking trails. Students regularly explore the La Crosse area’s urban and natural landscape through course projects, field trips, and research projects.

Research with faculty

Students have the opportunity to work on local and international research projects on undergraduate research projects. Students regularly receive funding to support their efforts and to present their results at local and national conferences

Study abroad and around the U.S.

Students have opportunities to participate in small group extended field trips to selected parts of the U.S. and abroad. Geography and environmental science students have traveled to study and conduct research in places such as Tanzania, Nepal, Belize, Cook Islands, Iceland, and Puerto Rico.

Internship opportunities

Students seeking internships typically find them as the demand for interns in this field is strong whether searching for opportunities in the private sector or with government agencies. Internships prepare students for future careers and frequently lead to employment opportunities after graduation

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