Hasn’t everything already been mapped? Cartographers are not explorers charting borders in an ancient time. We are artists, community organizers, data scientists, visual storytellers, and full-stack web developers visualizing our world. In an era of massive data sets and location-based applications, maps and geospatial data have never been more important to assist in decision-making and envisioning our future.
The Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) major covers the conceptual foundations and technical skills needed to harness maps and geospatial data. Courses range from graphic design and web mapping to big-data analytics and mobile application development: all have important laboratory components working with industry-standard cartography and GIS technology. So, yes, everywhere has been mapped in some form, but in a dynamic world driven by information and technology, cartographers and GIS professionals are needed now more than ever to help us understand our changing planet.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | the third unit of a language other than English |
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Breadth
3 courses, 1 each from these areas:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Human Geography (1 course) | 3 | |
| Human Geography: Space, Place, Society, and Politics | ||
| Introduction to Human Geography | ||
| Making the American Landscape | ||
| Weird Geographies | ||
| Revolutions and Social Change | ||
| Economic Geography: Locational Behavior | ||
| Introduction to the City | ||
| International Migration, Health, and Human Rights | ||
| Latinx Feminisms: Women's Lives, Work, and Activism | ||
| The Global Game: Soccer, Politics, and Identity | ||
| Universal Basic Income: The Politics Behind a Global Movement | ||
| Introduction to Geopolitics | ||
| World Regions in Global Context | ||
| Geography of Wisconsin | ||
| Africa, South of the Sahara | ||
| Human Geography of Southeast Asia | ||
| Critical Indigenous Ecological Knowledges | ||
| Space and Place: A Geography of Experience | ||
| Researching the City: Qualitative Strategies | ||
| Feminist Geography: Theoretical Approaches | ||
| Urban Spatial Patterns and Theories | ||
| Waste Geographies: Politics, People, and Infrastructures | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Critical Social Theory | ||
| Queer Geographies | ||
| Feminist Geography: Methodological Approaches | ||
| Trans Autotheories | ||
| Power, Place, Identity | ||
| People-Environment (1 course) | 3 | |
| Global Environmental Issues | ||
| Climate Change, Climate Action: The Social Dimensions of Climate Change | ||
| Making the American Landscape | ||
| People, Land and Food: Comparative Study of Agriculture Systems | ||
| Global Warming: Science and Impacts | ||
| Green Urbanism | ||
| International Environmental Governance | ||
| Nature, Power and Society | ||
| Environmental Biogeography | ||
| Conservation and Climate Change - Local to International Strategies | ||
| World Regions in Global Context | ||
| Changing Landscapes of the American West | ||
| Caring for Nature in Native North America | ||
| Australia: Environment and Society | ||
| Critical Indigenous Ecological Knowledges | ||
| Planning for Resilience to Natural Hazards | ||
| People, Wildlife and Landscapes | ||
| US Environmental Policy and Regulation | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Human Transformations of Earth Surface Processes | ||
| Environmental Governance: Markets, States and Nature | ||
| Culture and Environment | ||
| The Humid Tropics: Ecology, Subsistence, and Development | ||
| Development and Environment in Southeast Asia | ||
| Physical Geography (1 course) | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Earth System | ||
| Physical Systems of the Environment | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Polar Regions and Their Importance in the Global Environment | ||
| Global Warming: Science and Impacts | ||
| Climatic Environments of the Past | ||
| Environmental Biogeography | ||
| Geography of Wisconsin | ||
| Changing Landscapes of the American West | ||
| Glacial and Pleistocene Geology | ||
| Advanced Paleoecology: Species Responses to Past Environmental Change | ||
| Soil Geomorphology | ||
| Human Transformations of Earth Surface Processes | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Skills, Techniques & Methodology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Cartography/GIS | ||
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST/G L E/GEOSCI/LAND ARC 371 | Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| or GEOG 379 | Geospatial Technologies: Drones, Sensors, and Applications | |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GEOG 378 | Introduction to Geocomputing | 4 |
| Quantitative Methods (1 course) | 3-4 | |
| Advanced Quantitative Methods | ||
| Data Science Modeling I | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Methods | ||
| Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering | ||
| Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Mathematics Proficiency | 6 | |
| Complete one of the following by Placement or by completing the course | ||
| College Algebra and Trigonometry | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Total Credits | 24-25 | |
Depth
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete two of: | 7-8 | |
| Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Planning | ||
| Graphic Design in Cartography | ||
| Advanced Geocomputing and Geospatial Big Data Analytics | ||
| Geospatial Database Design and Development | ||
| Interactive Cartography & Geovisualization | ||
| Geospatial Web and Mobile Programming | ||
| GIS Applications | ||
| GIS and Spatial Analysis | ||
| Total Credits | 7-8 | |
Capstone
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of: | 3-6 | |
| Colloquium for Undergraduate Majors | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis and Senior Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 3-6 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in GEOG and major courses
- 2.000 GPA on 15 upper-level credits, taken in residence2
- 15 credits in GEOG, taken on the UW–Madison campus
- 2
GEOG courses designated Intermediate/Advanced are upper level in this major.
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Cartography and GIS Major in consultation with the Geography undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Cartography and Geographic Information Systems Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 overall university GPA
- Earn a 3.300 GPA for all GEOG courses, and all courses accepted in the major
- Complete GEOG 578: GIS Applications with a grade of B or better
- Complete at least one advanced-level course OR 6 credits of honors credits in the major at the 300 level or above
- Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in GEOG 681 Senior Honors Thesis and GEOG 682 Senior Honors Thesis, a piece of original research composition, for a total of 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply cartographic design principles and visual storytelling to transform geospatial data into actionable insights.
- Apply appropriate technologies and methods, including geographic information systems (GIS) and informed geodatabase design, to analyze qualitative and quantitative geospatial data.
- Use appropriate geographic concepts, methods, and technologies to interpret the dynamic interactions among human and natural characteristics of place and space.
- Combine geospatial theories, methodologies, and project management strategies to design and conduct ethical cartographic and geographic research and development.
- Utilize appropriate GIS-based spatial decision tools to inform discussions of social, economic, and environmental issues that confront policymakers and citizens.
- Discuss complex geospatial data, concepts, and technologies using written, oral, and visual forms of communication appropriate for technical, non-technical, and community-based audiences.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 112 | 3 | MATH 113 | 3 |
| Communication A | 3 | Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| Language | 4 | Language | 4 |
| Humanities Breadth | 3 | Literature Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| STAT 301 | 3 | GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | 4 |
| GEOG 370 | 4 | Communication B | 4 |
| INTER-LS 210 | 1 | Biological Science Breadth | 3 |
| Literature Breadth | 3 | Elective | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GEOG 378 | 4 | 500-level Cartography/GIS Elective | 4 |
| Major course: Human Geography | 3-4 | Biological Science Breadth | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | Humanities Breadth | 3 |
| Major course: People-Environment Geography | 3-4 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GEOG/ENVIR ST/G L E/GEOSCI/LAND ARC 371 | 3 | 500-level Cartography/GIS Elective | 4 |
| Major course: Physical Geography | 4 | Electives | 12 |
| GEOG 565 | 3 | ||
| Electives | 5 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel This Major
Please follow the process described on the Geography website.
Students with questions about the major, courses, and careers are encouraged to contact the Geography undergraduate advisor.
Careers
Cartography and Geographic Information Systems is a booming professional path. Mapping and geospatial analysis tools have become increasingly essential in industries as varied as transportation and urban planning, environmental science and conservation, national security, disaster management and mitigation, engineering, surveying, health and epidemiology, archaeology, history, and public safety. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 6% employment growth in the field between 2024 and 2032, faster than the average rate of other industries. Alumni who learned GIS skills through this major work in local, national, and international government positions; Apple, Google, Facebook, Uber, and other large companies; and media outlets such as National Geographic, The New York Times, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal. See some examples of GIS professionals at work.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students