Dartmouth College

What you'll study

The programme balances core geographic theory and methods with hands‑on cartographic practice and spatial data analysis. Typical core topics include physical geography and environmental systems, human and cultural geography, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, spatial statistics, cartographic design and field methods. Students normally take a sequence of foundational courses before choosing elective modules that reflect particular interests — for example urban and regional planning, political ecology, climate change impacts, landscape analysis, or geospatial programming.

Instruction blends seminar discussion, laboratory work and fieldwork. Practical components focus on map design, GIS software, geodatabases, digitisation, and spatial modelling. Independent research is strongly encouraged: most majors complete an upper‑level project or senior thesis that applies mapping and analytical techniques to an original question.

Entry requirements

Admission to Dartmouth is highly selective and based on an overall academic profile, recommendations, essays and extracurricular achievements. Applicants to the Geography and Cartography major are typically expected to present a broad secondary school curriculum with strength in quantitative subjects. Preparatory subjects that support success in the programme include mathematics (algebra and statistics), the natural sciences, and any coursework in geography, earth science, computer science or graphical design where available.

Successful candidates demonstrate analytical aptitude, interest in place‑based study and experience or enthusiasm for working with maps and data. As with all Dartmouth majors, students enter college through the standard undergraduate admissions process; declared majors are formed after arrival through consultation with faculty advisers.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in Geography and Cartography leave prepared for careers that combine spatial thinking, data analysis and communication. Common pathways include roles as GIS analysts, cartographers, spatial data scientists, urban and regional planners, environmental consultants, conservation practitioners, and roles in government agencies and non‑profit organisations focused on land use, resource management and humanitarian response.

The programme also provides a strong foundation for technology and private‑sector roles in location‑based services, mapping companies and geospatial product teams, and for further study at graduate level in geography, planning, environmental science, GIScience or related disciplines.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth is a small, undergraduate‑centred institution where students benefit from close mentorship and research opportunities with faculty. The Geography and Cartography curriculum takes advantage of interdisciplinary links across departments — such as Earth Sciences, Computer Science and Government — enabling customised study and collaborative projects.

Students have access to dedicated computing and GIS facilities, hands‑on fieldwork opportunities in the Upper Valley and beyond, and extensive archival map and cartographic resources held on campus. The emphasis on undergraduate research and senior theses means students can graduate with substantive, portfolio‑quality mapping and analysis work to show employers or graduate programmes.