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.
The world is changing rapidly. Where people once focused on their neighborhood,
their town, their country, they are now adopting a more global perspective.
They are learning that the earth’s resources are not limitless and that the impact of human beings on the environment is far greater than had been anticipated as little as a decade ago.
UWSP’s bachelor’s degree in geoscience will address 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 Geography Major Options are:
