120 Upham Hall
800 West Main Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone # (262) 472-1071
(Photo above) Geography professor Dr. Jacobs (left) teaching Geogrphy 492: Wisconsin Landscapes at Wildcat Mountain State Park in Southwestern Wisconsin.
Gaining expertise regarding what is around us, above us, and underneath us in the physical world is a pursuit that is exciting, gratifying, and crucial to further our knowledge as human beings. This is the world of geography and geology.
The Department of Geography and Geology offers an array of physical science, social science, and technical courses covering a wide range of academic interests and career paths that students may pursue. The six tracks in the department include:
- General Geography
- Geology
- International/Regional
- Physical/Environmental
- Quantitative/Technical
- Urban/Suburban
Faculty
All tenure-track faculty and most academic staff in the department hold doctoral degrees. Strong student evaluations of instructors indicate a high measure of effective teaching.
Hands-on Learning
Faculty often hire students as technical specialists to assist in computer labs and as assistants on faculty-generated teaching and research grants. Some offer travel study opportunities. In addition, students can intern with local businesses, environmental offices, and city, county, and regional planning agencies. Most internships are paid. Recent firms/agencies include:
- City of Janesville (WI)
- Jefferson County (WI)
- Johnson Controls
- Land Information Office
- Pheasants Forever
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Student Organizations
Students can pursue a variety of educational, social, and travel opportunities with the Whitewater Geography Association (WGA). A local chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, geography's national student organization, is open to qualified students.