How to Get in

Students interested in declaring the certificate should contact the Geoscience Certificate Committee chair.

Students declared in the Certificate in Geoscience cannot also declare the Geology and Geophysics major.

Requirements

The Certificate in Geoscience requires a minimum of four courses and at least 12 total credits. Students must complete a unique course to satisfy each requirement.

Residence and Quality of Work

• Minimum 2.000 GPA on all certificate courses.
• At least 6 certificate credits must be completed in residence.

Certificate Completion Requirement​

This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain how various Earth systems operate and describe the basis for that understanding. Earth systems include plate tectonics, climate, the hydrological cycle, geochemical cycling, and others.
2. Apply field/lab-based methods, spatial reasoning skills, temporal reasoning skills, and/or quantitative approaches to solve problems in geoscience.
3. Analyze geological, biological, chemical, and/or physical information to understand processes and the rates of those processes, in order to explain how the Earth operates.

Advising and Careers

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