Geoscience relates to the study of Earth’s processes involving the study of rocks, minerals, soils, oceans, fresh water and atmosphere. Geoscientists are individuals trained in multi-disciplinary fields of science designed to assess Earth’s resources and to mitigate geohazards. These geohazards may be due to natural phenomena such as earthquakes as well as geohazards due to human impacts on Earth’s surface. Geoscientists locate resources such as potable water, oil, gas and metallic ore deposits, forecast the weather and model climate change, develop land-use plans and geohazard maps, explore Earth’s remote localities as well as other planets and the solar system. The geoscience field is experiencing significant growth in response to an interplay of increasing global consumption and decreasing availability of Earth materials (minerals, rocks, soils and water) and energy resources, as well as the recognition that resource extraction and use is profoundly impacting our global environment and our global economy. Increasingly, scientists, business and civic leaders and other concerned citizens recognize the need to study Earth systems and the effects of human actions.

UWSP’s bachelor’s degree in geosciences addresses the need for baccalaureate prepared geoscientists in the Upper Midwest that will integrate geoscience (environmental geology, Earth materials, hydrogeology, structural geology and field work), GIS and remote sensing. Why are these topics important to Wisconsin students? Earth material extraction in quarries and gravel pits throughout Wisconsin are essential to the construction of roadways, office buildings and airport expansion projects. Groundwater and surface water resources must be monitored and protected from overuse and contamination. Gas and oil wells continue to pump hydrocarbons from the Michigan basin. Continued rise in gas prices will result in a greater demand for geoscience skills as energy companies expand their research and development operations in the Midwest and throughout the world. Metal prices have risen largely due to the increased demand in countries such as China and India. The active mining of metallic ores continues in our neighboring states of Minnesota and Michigan. Meanwhile, Wisconsin hosts among the largest undeveloped copper and zinc deposits in North America. Clearly resource exploration will continue for the foreseeable future in the Upper Midwest.

The Major

All three options of the Geoscience Major require the same core of courses. Students should consult the “Tentative Sequence of Geography and Geology Course Offerings” since some upper division courses are offered only on a rotational basis.

The Geoscience Major consists of a minimum of 40-64 credits. The number of credits is dependent upon the option and courses chosen. If you elect to pursue more than one option in the major, be advised that it may extend your time to degree.

The Geoscience Major Options are:

• Environmental Analysis
• Hydrogeology
• Earth Materials
• Biogeoscience