Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a combination of modern technology and geographic data that provides insight, knowledge, and analysis to modern spatial problems. Cartography is the art, science, and technology of making and using maps. Together GIS and cartography provide indispensable tools for governance, society, commerce, and environmental management. The need for basic and applied research in these fields has never been greater and decision makers today rely on geospatial intelligence to manage natural and cultural resources, retail trade, coordinate emergency response, enforce laws, and conduct military operations.

Students with a background in GIS and cartography will find positions as GIS analysts, coordinators, and technicians, land information specialists, cartographers and cartographic illustrators, remote sensing analysts, surveyors, photogrammetric technicians, emergency response managers, geospatial analysts and coordinators, transportation route and inventory specialists.

There is an immense need for professionals educated in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques. It is a technology and methodology that has been used to conduct site analysis, track wolves, develop land use plans, access damage along the path of a forest fire, and track crime interactively (New York Times, January, 2000). It is estimated that over 500,000 professionals in fields ranging from environmental assessment to retail trade analysis are asked to use GIS in their jobs, with 50,000 being asked to use GIS full-time. These numbers are growing 15% a year and will likely accelerate. The depth and breadth of this technique and associated application knowledge will continue to increase with both governmental agencies and businesses demanding more GIS educated professionals, as well as greater knowledge breadth of their employees. Although many disciplines will provide GIS training, Geography provides the best focus and education for students of GIS (ESRI, 2000; AAG Newsletter, June, 2000).

The Department of Geography and Geology has taught GIS courses at UWSP for the last fifteen years and spatial methodology courses, like cartography, for forty years. Yet, the true integration and utility of these techniques was not realized until the advent of modern computing. Many disciplines outside the field of geography now recognize the impact and importance of GIS and spatial analysis within their own fields. The GIS analyst normally has expertise in a particular area, such as land use planning, forest management, or business and uses GIS knowledge to help solve problems in their main academic field.

The Department of Geography and Geology now offers a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Spatial Analysis minor that provides a mix of theory and practical knowledge having broad application in various disciplines. GIS is used to effectively access, analyze, and interpret vast amounts of spatial data. GIS is employed to explore the interrelationships of geographic variable that can involve weather, politics, crime, environment management, real estate development, forestry inventory, wildlife tracking, and retail trade analysis. For example, one could use GIS to determine the best location for a new department store, or evaluate the impact of spraying chemicals on a local well water supply. The true power of GIS is its ability to combine and synthesize any form of geographic information.

The GIS minor covers the foundation of spatial analysis and geographic information systems, including cartography, statistical analysis, and hands-on exposure to cutting edge GIS technology. The Department of Geography and Geology offers three courses that provide basic to advanced training in GIS, and several complementary courses in associated GIS technology, such as digital remote sensing. The minor complements programs in geography, geology, resource management, land use planning, wildlife, forestry, water, soils, biology and other fields reliant on spatial analysis. 

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