As a geography major at UNC, you’ll use scientific exploration to study issues like climate change, urbanization, industrial development, population growth and sustainability, migration, landscape transformation and political cooperation. You’ll have access to a state-of-the-art GIS lab and work side-by-side with expert Geography faculty who support and engage you through research and internship opportunities. And when you graduate, you’ll have skills based on field experience, research and knowledge gained from an immersion in the real-world nature of geography.

One of the world’s fastest growing fields, Geographic Information Science (GIS) combines cartography, spatial analysis and data management to create useful maps and gather complex information. Then, address some of the world’s most demanding challenges, from analyzing a region’s crime patterns to monitoring environmental contamination. Apply geospatial technology principles to create interactive web-based maps using software such as ArcGIS, ENVI, CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator and train on a large-format plotter and Trimble GPS units. Internships and independent research projects in your interest area will deepen your experience and skills.