Program Goals
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MISSION
The world is changing rapidly and working to find solutions to global challenges requires
the ability to think beyond the scope of single a discipline. At UW the Geography
Program takes an interdisciplinary approach to education where students can coalesce
their passion into a body of knowledge. We want students to become critical thinkers
in how human-environment relations are formed and how we can best manage those relationships
for the betterment of society and the health of the planet.
VISION
Our program focusses on competencies across bodies of thought, from the physical science (geology, biogeography, climatology), the cultural and social sciences (politics, planning, agriculture, economics), and technological (mapping, GIST). By focusing on the interactions between physical and social systems, students can discover interrelationships between disciplines and apply those connections to solve the grand challenge issues of the present and the future.
GOAL
Our goal is to facilitate student learning with a broad understanding of problem solving through numerous perspective, both foundational and applied. Students will be ready to become decision makers in the state, across the region and world. We want our graduates to succeed through innovative thinking, creativity, and understanding that solutions come through relationships between earth systems.
Undergraduate Program
Geography is an interdisciplinary degree that studies human-environment relationships
to understand and manage societal and natural resources to protect the planet as a
whole. Geographers study natural and social phenomena, which allow us to be leaders
in planning, conservation, climate change adaptation, hazards, and resource management.
Through the study of the relationships between all of the Earth’s systems, physical,
social, cultural, political and appropriate application of technology, our degree
prepares you to become a professional geographer.
As geographers, students gain a global perspective and knowledge required for many
careers ranging from international business, environmental consulting and restoration,
resource management, planning, health and education.
With a Geography degree you have an advantage for Federal and state jobs in USA Jobs
where a Geography BS degree is a requirement for many positions including numerous
positions in Wyoming.
The department offers minors in geography, planning, and geographic information sciences. Credit requirements range from 18-20 hours of required and elective courses, all of which must be completed with a grade of C or above. See the requirements for a minor in Geography.
Wyoming Geographic Alliance
The Wyoming Geographic Alliance (WGA), founded in 1990, is one of the 52 state-based alliances sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The goal of the WGA is to improve geography education in Wyoming. The WGA provides professional development programs for teachers, publishes a newsletter, distributes teaching materials, acts as a clearinghouse for curriculum materials and organizes National Geographic Awareness Week in Wyoming. The WGA is housed at the Department of Geography of the University of Wyoming.
Visit the Wyoming Geographic Alliance web site at https://www.uwyo.edu/wga/.
If you want more information contact Associate Professor Jacqueline J.J. Shinker at wga@uwyo.edu.
In October 1990, the Wyoming Geographic Alliance (WGA) received its official confirmation of the National Geographic Planning Grant. As a result, Dr. Ron Beiswenger attended the National Council of Geographic Education meetings in Williamsburg, Virginia to meet with National Geographic Education Program personnel. Since that time, the WGA has been housed in the Department of Geography which provides office and storage space. Several members of the Geography Department have worked with the Alliance including Ron Beiswenger, Linda Marston and William Gribb. The past nine years Sherry Tavegie has held a half time position as the WGA's project director to coordinate its activities.
The summer of 1991, four Wyoming teachers were trained as Teacher Consultants by National Geographic in Washington, DC. Since that time, numerous other teachers have been trained as Teacher Consultants in Washington, DC and at various summer institutes held at the University of Wyoming. Alliance trained Teacher Consultants are the core of the WGA. Summer institute topics have examined topics such as public lands, geography and technology, Wyoming energy, Wyoming agriculture, the Oregon Trail, the fur trade and Yellowstone National Park.
