Formed in 1878, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Geoscience has educated generations of undergraduate and graduate students and remains a highly-ranked leader in research and education 140 years after its founding. Its widely recognized, award-winning faculty are engaged in a broad range of geoscientific research.
Program Overview
For nearly 100 years, the UW-Madison Department of Geoscience has been educating international students, including for example the famous Chinese geologist Chia Yung Hsieh (谢家荣 M.S. 1921 UW-Madison). In recognition of our continued interest in educating foreign students in the geosciences, we have created a Visiting International Student Program thematic track for undergraduates in the geosciences. Students in our VISP thematic track may select from many interesting, challenging geoscience classes at the introductory to the graduate level. Students who desire more in-depth knowledge may elect several classes in one of three concentration areas (Geophysics and Engineering, General Geology, Environmental Geoscience). Students who enjoy integrating different kinds of information into a unified interpretation may take courses from several different areas. Our advisers and faculty will work with each student to find the academic plan that best suits their interests. Geoscience VISP students are also invited to join our student field trips and departmental social gatherings as part of their broader cultural experience.
Student Support
From the time you apply to the end of your stay, the VISP staff will be there to assist you. As a VISP participant you have full access to all academic and student support services, such as libraries, computer labs, clubs, and sports facilities; the opportunity to participate in VISP sponsored social and cultural events; and upon completion you will receive an official UW–Madison transcript.
Program Eligibility
Participants must meet the VISP eligibility criteria for admission into this program. This Thematic Track admits students at the Undergraduate, Graduate, or Dissertator level. Undergraduate-level students should be in their junior or senior year and should be studying the geosciences or a related field such as geobiology, hydrogeology, or geological engineering.
Available Terms
Students can participate in the fall and/or spring semester.
Academics & Course Offerings
Each semester, you’ll complete at least 9 credits of coursework in the geosciences, selecting from the many courses offered by our department. You can complete your full-time course load with additional geoscience courses — or we will help you find a relevant course in a related discipline.
Concentration Areas
We encourage you to consider focusing your studies in one of the following concentration areas:
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Geophysics and Engineering
Possible courses include:
- Geosci 350 – Introduction to geophysics: The dynamic Earth
- Geosci 474 – Rock mechanics
- Geosci 455 – Structural geology
- Geosci 594 – Applied geophysics
- Geosci 595 – Field methods in applied geophysics
- Geosci 627 – Hydrogeology
You can find course descriptions in the Public Course Search tool.
Environmental Geoscience
Possible courses include:
- Geosci 304 – Geobiology
- Geosci 320 – Geomorphology
- Geosci 375 – Principles of geochemistry
- Geosci 430 – Sedimentology and stratigraphy
- Geosci 627 – Hydrogeology
- Geosci 629 – Contaminant hydrogeology
You can find course descriptions in the Public Course Search tool.
General Geology
Possible courses include:
- Geosci 320 – Geomorphology
- Geosci 350 – Introduction to geophysics: The dynamic Earth
- Geosci 360 – Principles of mineralogy
- Geosci 370 – Elementary petrology
- Geosci 375 – Principles of geochemistry
- Geosci 411 – Energy resources
- Geosci 430 – Sedimentology and stratigraphy
- Geosci 455 – Structural geology
You can find course descriptions in the Public Course Search tool.
Cost of Attendance
Estimated cost of attendance information is available on the VISP website.
Application Instructions
Submit your VISP application and in your essay please include: “I am applying for the Geoscience VISP track.”
Questions? Please contact the VISP coordinators.
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