Liberal Arts (Code 141-001)

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Core General Education		10 courses, 36 credits
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the Universities of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CGER Categories
Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (MQR)		4 credit hours, 1 course min
Includes University Math Requirement 1
Communication & Literacy (CL)		8 credit hours, 2 course min (including CL-W)
Includes University Writing Requirement (CL-W) 2
Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW/NSWL)		6 credit hours, 1 course min (NSW-Lab required)
Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Humanities & Arts (HA)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Civics & Perspectives (CP)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
CGER Totals 3
Credits		minimum 36 credits
Courses		minimum 10 courses

¹

University Mathematics Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Mathematics Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing an approved university-level mathematics course (MQR) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the UW Math Placement Test
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement Calculus or Advanced Placement Statistics exams
• achieving a suitable score on a Credit by Examination administered by the Department of Mathematics.   

²

University Writing Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Writing Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing a Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing course (WRIT 102, WRIT 114, WRIT 116, WRIT 118, or WRIT 120) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the English Placement Test (WPT ENGL)
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition or Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exams
• achieving a suitable score on the University Writing Program Portfolio.

³

Completion via Placement Tests

• Writing: If the CL-W subcategory is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Communication and Literacy requirement will be reduced from 8 credits (2 courses) to 3 credits (1 course).
• Mathematics: If the University Math Requirement is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning requirement will be considered fully met, replacing the 4-credit (1 course) requirement.
• Students must still complete 36 credits across 10 courses, with any remaining credits or courses eligible to be taken from any CGER category.

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree (B.A./B.S.)

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.

Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.

College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Core General Education Requirements); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); second language competency at the 102 level.  Second language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Demonstrate a level of second language competency that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a second language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level second language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 or SLHS 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Core General Education Requirements); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level.  Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113.  (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test.  This test may be attempted no more than two times.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 141-001)

The Geospatial Analysis and Technology major will ground students in current geographic and geospatial traditions in a multidisciplinary learning approach.  This comprehensive major integrates tools and skills with an engaging curriculum and high impact practices, such as internships and undergraduate research opportunities. It engages critical thinking both inside and outside the classroom. Specific areas of interest include Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, LiDAR, Field Data Collection, Business Geographics, and Unmanned Aerial Systems. 

Minimum of 60 semester credits including:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Requirements
GEOG 104	Planet Earth: The Physical Environment	4
GEOG 111	Planet Earth: Human Geography	3
GEOG 135	Planet Earth: Our Digital Globe	3
or GEOG 178	Planet Earth: Conservation of the Environment
GEOG 200	Foundations of Geography	3
DS 150	Computing in Python: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming	4
IS 240	Information Systems in Business	3
GEOG 335	Geographic Information Systems I	3
GEOG 336	Geospatial Field Methods	3
GEOG 337	Geographic Information Systems II	3
GEOG 338	Remote Sensing of the Environment	3
GEOG 370	Quantitative Methods in Geography	3
GEOG 435	Geographic Information Systems III	3
or GEOG 438	Remote Sensing Data Analytics
GEOG 498	Geography Internship (3 credits required)	1-3
Any 300 or 400 level geography course not noted in major requirements		3
Subtotal		44
Remaining credits to be chosen from the following with at least 6 credits from outside Geography:		16
Geography Geospatial Electives
GEOG 280	Introduction to Cartography and Visualization
GEOG 339	Applied Cartography and Geovisualization
GEOG 352	Business Geographics
GEOG 358	LiDAR Analysis & Applications
GEOG 363	Watershed Analysis
GEOG 390	Geospatial Applications of UAS
GEOG 395	Directed Studies 2
GEOG 399	Independent Study - Juniors 2
GEOG 435	Geographic Information Systems III 1
GEOG 438	Remote Sensing Data Analytics 1
GEOG 455	Web Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 491	Advanced Special Topics 2
GEOG 499	Independent Study - Seniors 2
Other Elective Options (Minimum of 6 credits)
IS 304	Fundamentals of Business Programming
IS 307	Introduction to Business Analytics
IS 310	Business Process Modeling
IS 314	Advanced Business Programming
IS 324	System Development Methodologies
IS 344	Database Management Systems
IS 345	Computer Networks
CS 140	Introduction to Computer Science
CS 150	Object-Oriented Programming
CS 163	Introduction to Programming in C++
CS 170	Computing for the Sciences and Mathematics
CS 318	Fundamentals of Web Page Design
CS 319	Introduction to Web Programming
ART 108	Foundations: Two-Dimensional Design
ART 312	Design Across the Disciplines
DS 140	Basics of Data Analysis with R
ENGL 312	Science Writing
ENGL 313	Technical Writing
ENT 371	Customer Discovery and Business Model Design
ENT 373	New Venture Feasibility
MATH 442	Advanced Statistical Modeling
MATH 445	Survey Sampling
MATH 447	Nonparametric Statistics
Note: A maximum of six credits earned in GEOG 395, GEOG 399, and/or GEOG 499 may count toward the major.

¹

If not taken for Core Requirements.

²

If applicable and with consent of faculty advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes 

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

• Content:
  • Geographic Foundation: Demonstrate geographical knowledge, understanding, and significance through analysis, explanation, and critique (Explain where things are located, why they are located where they are, what difference that location makes, and to whom).
• Skills:
  • Geographic Techniques: Effectively use and apply the tools of geographic inquiry (e.g., field and laboratory to gather quantitative and qualitative geographic data; GIS to acquire, manage, display, and analyze spatial data in digital form; cartography to display spatial information effectively; and spatial statistical methods to model and make inferences about spatial relationships and patterns).
  • Communication: Effectively explain how geographic approaches and perspectives are used to address socially/environmentally relevant questions and problems and why identifying the underlying spatial relationships is significant.
• Responsibility:
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Use geographic knowledge and skills to evaluate assumptions, representations, and institutions in order to challenge existing structures in ways that respect diversity and foster social/environmental equity and inclusivity.
  • Ethics: Use geographic knowledge and skills to address social and environmental challenges in ways that maximize the benefits and minimize the harm to others.
• Dispositions:
  • Interdisciplinary perspective: Synthesize the information, concepts, and methods of the humanities and the natural and social sciences for geographic research and applications.
  • Relational perspective: Explain how people, places, and regions are linked by networks and processes across space and scale (such as local-global, within regions, globalization, trade, immigration, internet technology, climate).
• Comprehensive:
  • Geospatial: Expertly use geospatial information/data and technologies to address geographical issues.

Geospatial Analysis and Technology, Comprehensive Major,  B.S.

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Core General Education Requirements (CGER). CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course. Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The degrees are distinguished by second language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOG 178	Planet Earth: Conservation of the Environment (CGER NSW)	3
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL)	5
OR
WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL)
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
CGER Option: Communication & Literacy (CL)		3
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOG 104	Planet Earth: The Physical Environment (CGER NSWL)	4
GEOG 111	Planet Earth: Human Geography (CGER SBS)	3
CGER Option: Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)		3
MATH 111	A Short Course in Calculus (CGER MQR)	4
OR
MATH 112	Precalculus Mathematics (CGER MQR)
TOTAL		28
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOG 200	Foundations of Geography	3
IS 240	Information Systems in Business	3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW)		3
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
Elective b		2
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOG 335	Geographic Information Systems I	3
DS 150	Computing in Python: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming	4
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
TOTAL		33
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOG 336	Geospatial Field Methods	3
GEOG 370	Quantitative Methods in Geography	3
Geospatial Elective a		3
Geospatial Elective a		3
Elective b		3
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOG 337	Geographic Information Systems II	3
GEOG 338	Remote Sensing of the Environment	3
GEOG Elective		3
Geospatial Elective a		3
Elective b		3
TOTAL		30
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
GEOG 498	Geography Internship	3
Geospatial Elective a		3
Geospatial Elective a		3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
Elective b		3
SECOND SEMESTER
GEOG 435	Geographic Information Systems III	3
Geospatial Elective a		3
Geospatial Elective a		3
Elective b		3
Elective b		3
TOTAL		30

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits 

a

Environmental Geography and Geospatial comprehensive majors are required to take 12 credits of related course work outside of the major with consent of their advisor.

b

Electives need to be carefully selected to ensure that a student’s degree comprises at least 39 credits of upper division courses (300-400 level). While students are encouraged to take additional courses in geography, these can be selected from any discipline provided student meets course prerequisites. Required Geography courses plus Geography electives (and environmental electives from other departments) must equal at least 60 credits.

Course Information

• GEOG 200 is recommended prior to enrollment in GEOG 335 and GEOG 370. 

• GEOG 335 is a prerequisite for GEOG 370. 

• Student must complete one upper-level GEOG course in an advanced geography approach that is not a Geospatial course (300/400). 

• Student must choose either GEOG 435 or GEOG 438 and will be advised to follow similar courses for additional Geospatial Elective (i.e. GEOG 438 would lead into GEOG 358 LiDAR) 

• Student can take GEOG 498 Internship.

• With consent of advisor, a minimum of 12 credits must be taken outside of Geography.  Seven outside credits are earned by the requirement of DS 150 and IS 240.     

• Required Geography courses plus DS 150  and IS 240 plus Geography electives (and Geospatial Electives and electives from other departments) must equal at least 60 credits. 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPTIONAL HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs.  There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire. 

Required HIP: GEOG 498 : Geography Internship
Optional HIPs: GEOG 368 : Geography Field Seminar , Study Abroad, National Student Exchange, Faculty-led International Immersions (FLIIs), Student-Faculty Collaborative Research

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)