About Us
The Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences prepares students for a changing, globalized world through inquiry into Earth’s environments, geospatial skill and critical thinking.
Explore comprehensive programs
The Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences offers comprehensive programs across environmental sciences, human geography, meteorology, urban analytics and geospatial technologies. We foster spatial thinking, hands-on research and real-world problem-solving, preparing students for meaningful careers through innovative teaching, close mentorship and community engagement.
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History & Mission
Home to the Center for Geographic Information Sciences since 1996, the Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences has grown into a modern, research-driven unit at a university whose roots reach back to 1798. What began in applied geography has expanded into environmental sciences, meteorology, geospatial technologies, human and cultural dynamics and urban analytics – a breadth that mirrors the discipline itself.
Our mission is to foster inquiry into the physical and human realms of the world’s environments and the ways they interact. We build an environment of effective learning through scholarship and teaching, so you graduate prepared to work effectively and professionally in a changing, globalized world – grounded in the factual knowledge, critical thinking and hands-on experience that make lifelong learning about the world possible. Along the way, the department has built the partnerships – across campus, throughout Louisville and around the world – that keep its teaching and research connected to real problems.
Who we serve
Our students are curious, analytical thinkers who want to understand how the Earth works – both its physical systems and the human patterns that shape our world. Many arrive motivated by environmental concerns, a love of maps and spatial problem-solving or the pull of hands-on, real-world impact.
At the undergraduate level, we serve majors across five Applied Geography BS tracks, along with students from across the university who add one of our four minors or the Applied Geospatial Technologies certificate to their own field. At the graduate level, our MS in Applied Geography develops working professionals and future researchers alike. Whoever you are, we support you the same way: through close faculty mentorship, hands-on work with real data and a curriculum built around solving actual problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our graduates work as GIS analysts, environmental consultants, urban planners, climate researchers, meteorologists, sustainability managers and geospatial data scientists – across government agencies, tech companies, nonprofits and consulting firms. The skills you build here are in demand across virtually every major industry.
GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems – the software and tools that let you create, analyze and visualize geographic data. If you’ve ever used Google Maps or watched a weather radar, you’ve seen GIS in action. It’s one of the core skills you’ll learn here, so no prior experience is needed.
Yes – and we strongly encourage them. Students regularly join faculty-led research projects, community partnerships and internships with local government, environmental organizations and private-sector employers. These real-world experiences are a key part of what makes our graduates career-ready.
Undergraduates in every BS Applied Geography track complete a senior thesis under the supervision of a faculty member – it’s a signature piece of the degree and a favorite talking point in interviews. Master’s students choose between thesis and non-thesis tracks.
Map Your Future in the Fastest-Growing Field
Ready to turn your passion for the environment, spatial data and sustainable futures into professional impact? Join the UofL Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences and build the technical and analytical foundation that the world's most urgent challenges demand.