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Geography as a Complementary Subject

Because geography offers undergraduate students excellent opportunities to develop their professional skills through course work, field study, and internships, the department maintains information on geography courses tailored to complement a number of specific disciplines and interests. Advice from faculty members is invaluable in making course selections, but students can begin with courses recommended to complement an interest in the subjects listed below.

Geography Courses for Students Interested In …

A minor in geography will complement your interests in culture group dynamics by equipping you with knowledge of international and American ethnic patterns, especially those related to American Indians. Exciting field study experiences and paid internship opportunities are also available in this area.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 200 American Ethnic Geography
  • GEO 204 National Parks
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography
  • GEO 274 North American Indian on Film
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 385 Field Study
  • GEO 420 Rural Geography
  • GEO 470 Political Geography
  • GEO 474 Historical Geography of the United States
  • GEO 475 Culture, Nature, Landscape
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Field study locations include:

  • Indian Mound Sites of the American South
  • Ethnic Chicago: A Cultural and Social Geography of the City
  • National Parks of Arizona
 Internship opportunities available at:
  • National parks and monuments
  • Museums
  • American Indian reservations
  • U.S. Census Bureau

A minor or second major in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with skills in biogeography, geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, and remote sensing. These computer courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses. (Note: A minor in geography alone does not satisfy the major field requirements for the B.S. in biology.)
  • A major in geography consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, and four 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 204 National Parks
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 225 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 230 Introduction to Remote Sensing
  • GEO 260 Environmental Conservation
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 365 Biogeography
  • GEO 385 Field Study (Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert)
  • GEO 404 Advanced Geomorphology.
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 430 Advanced Remote Sensing
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Research in geography topics might include:

  • Human Environmental Impacts on Northwest Indiana
  • Environmental Management in the Indiana Dunes Ecosystem

Field study locations include:

  • Yellowstone National Park and the Oregon Trail
  • Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert
  • Volcanoes of Hawaii
  • Glaciers of Alaska

Internship opportunities available at:

  • National parks and monuments
  • GIS and cartography firms
  • Environmental organizations
  • Environmental planning firms
  • American Indian reservations

A minor in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with knowledge of spatial economic patterns and analysis and with skills in geographic information systems (GIS). These GIS courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 201 Economic Geography
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography (Tourism and Marketing; Business Geographics)
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 225 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 260 Environmental Conservation
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 321 Urban and Regional Planning
  • GEO 420 Rural Geography
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 460 Data Analysis
  • GEO 470 Political Geography
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study
 Internship opportunities available at:
  • GIS and cartography firms
  • Urban and regional planning agencies
  • Marketing firms
  • Tourism firms/agencies
  • U.S. Census Bureau

A minor in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with skills in urban systems and planning, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and cartography. These technology courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 225 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 230 Introduction to Remote Sensing
  • GEO 260 Environmental Conservation
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 321 Urban and Regional Planning
  • GEO 420 Rural Geography
  • GEO 385 Field Study
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 430 Advanced Remote Sensing
  • GEO 460 Data Analysis
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Field Study locations include:

  • Yellowstone National Park and the Oregon Trail
  • Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert
  • Volcanoes of Hawaii
  • Glaciers of Alaska

Internship opportunities available at:

  • GIS and cartography firms
  • Urban and regional planning agencies
  • Environmental planning firms
  • Emergency management agencies
  • National parks and monuments
  • American Indian reservations

A minor or second major in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with knowledge of cultural values and ethnic diversity, understanding of places and regions including cities and the geography of the media and of communication technologies, and skills in cartographic design and in geographic information systems (GIS). While students completing any of the majors in the communication department can benefit from a second major or minor in geography, students majoring in New Media – Journalism and Public Relations will find geography most relevant. Valpo’s geography program is unique in its ability to offer a course in the geography of cyberspace, focusing upon the way that new media technologies are transforming the world. Geography courses can provide students interested in journalism with skills and knowledge needed to understand issues important to local communities as well as the global situation. Public relations majors interested in working for non-profit or environmental organizations or in the public sector will benefit from courses in urban, cultural, environmental, and/or physical geography. Regional courses may be of special interest to students interested in working in the tourism industry or for international corporations. Communication students may also want to consider a minor in urban studies, which includes participation in the Chicago Urban Semester and further internship opportunities.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.
  • A major in geography consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, and four 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 200 American Ethnic Geography
  • GEO 201 Economic Geography
  • GEO 204 National Parks
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 225 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 260 Environmental Conservation
  • GEO 274 North American Indian on Film
  • GEO 280 Geography of Cyberspace
  • GEO 285 Natural Hazards
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 321 Urban and Regional Planning
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 420 Rural Geography
  • GEO 470 Political Geography
  • GEO 475 Culture Nature Landscape
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Field Study locations include:

  • Volcanoes of Hawaii
  • Glaciers of Alaska

  • Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert

Internship opportunities available at:

  • Urban and regional planning agencies
  • National parks and monuments
  • Nonprofit and environmental organizations
  • GIS and cartography firms
  • American Indian reservations

A minor or second major in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with skills in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and cartography. These technology courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses. (Note: A minor in geography alone does not satisfy the major field requirements for the B.S. in computer science.)
  • A major in geography consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, and four 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 220 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 230 Introduction to Remote Sensing
  • GEO 280 Geography of Cyberspace
  • GEO 301 Regional Geography of the United States
  • GEO 385 Field Study
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 430 Advanced Remote Sensing
  • GEO 460 Data Analysis
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Field study locations include:

  • Indian Mound Sites of the American South
  • Yellowstone National Park and the Oregon Trail
  • Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert
  • Glaciers of Alaska
  • Volcanoes of Hawaii

Internship opportunities available at:

  • GIS and cartography firms
  • City and regional governments
  • National parks and monuments
  • American Indian reservations

A minor in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with knowledge of spatial economic patterns and analysis and with skills in geographic information systems (GIS). These GIS courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 201 Economic Geography
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography (Tourism and Marketing; Business Geographics)
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 225 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 260 Environmental Conservation
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 321 Urban and Regional Planning
  • GEO 420 Rural Geography
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 460 Data Analysis
  • GEO 470 Political Geography
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography.
  • GEO 495 Independent Study
 Internship opportunities available at:
  • GIS and cartography firms
  • Urban and regional planning agencies
  • Marketing firms
  • Tourism firms/agencies
  • U.S. Census Bureau

A minor or second major in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with skills in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and cartography. These computer courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses. (Note: A minor in geography alone does not satisfy the major field requirements for the B.A. in history.)
  • A major in geography consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, and four 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 220 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 230 Introduction to Remote Sensing
  • GEO 280 Geography of Cyberspace
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 385 Field Study
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 430 Advanced Remote Sensing
  • GEO 460 Data Analysis
  • GEO 474 Historical Geography of the United States
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Field Study locations include:

  • Indian Mound Sites of the American South
  • Yellowstone National Park and the Oregon Trail
  • Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert
  • Glaciers of Alaska
  • Volcanoes of Hawaii

Internship opportunities available at:

  • GIS and cartography firms
  • City and regional governments
  • National parks and monuments
  • American Indian reservations

Geographic knowledge is essential for understanding many of today’s contemporary health challenges from the spread of diseases to providing access to health care.  A minor in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with knowledge of medical geography and skills in geographic information systems (GIS). These computer courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography (Medical Geography)
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 220 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 260 Environmental Conservation
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 321 Urban and Regional Planning
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography (Human Environmental Impacts)
  • GEO 495 Independent Study (Readings in Medical Geography)

Internship opportunities available at:

  • Urban and regional planning agencies
  • GIS and cartography firms
  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • American Indian reservations

A minor or second major in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with skills in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and cartography. These technology courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses. (Note: A minor in geography alone does not satisfy the major field requirements for the B.S. in meteorology.)
  • A major in geography consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, and four 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 220 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 230 Introduction to Remote Sensing
  • GEO 385 Field Study
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 430 Advanced Remote Sensing
  • GEO 460 Data Analysis
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Field Study locations include:

  • Indian Mound Sites of the American South
  • Yellowstone National Park and the Oregon Trail
  • National Parks of Arizona
  • Karst Landscape of the Ohio Valley, including Mammoth Cave National Park
  • Glaciers of Alaska
  • Volcanoes of Hawaii
 Internship opportunities available at:
  • GIS and cartography firms
  • Emergency management agencies
  • Environmental planning firms
  • National parks and monuments
  • American Indian reservations

Geographic knowledge is essential for understanding many of today’s contemporary health challenges from the spread of diseases to providing access to health care.  A minor in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with knowledge of medical geography and skills in geographic information systems (GIS). These technology courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry, and paid internship opportunities are common.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography (Medical Geography)
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 220 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 260 Environmental Conservation
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 321 Urban and Regional Planning
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography (Human Environmental Impacts)
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study (Readings in Medical Geography)

Internship opportunities available at:

  • Urban and regional planning agencies
  • GIS and cartography firms
  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • American Indian reservations

A minor or second major in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with knowledge of ethnic, socioeconomic, and urban patterns and with skills in geographic information systems (GIS). These GIS courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry. Paid internship opportunities are also available in this area.

 Recommended Courses:
  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 200 American Ethnic Geography
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 220 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 274 North American Indian on Film
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 321 Urban and Regional Planning
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 470 Political Geography
  • GEO 474 Historical Geography of the United States
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography (International Ethnic Conflicts)
  • GEO 492 Research in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Field Study locations include:

  • Indian Mound Sites of the American South
  • Ethnic Chicago: A Cultural and Social Geography of the City

Internship opportunities available at:

  • Urban and regional planning agencies
  • National parks and monuments
  • GIS and cartography firms
  • Library of Congress
  • American Indian reservations
  • U.S. Census Bureau

A major or minor in geography will provide both depth and breadth in your education training. If you are interested in the social sciences, geography can equip you with knowledge of world cultures, American ethnic groups, international affairs, and the settlement of the United States. For those interested in the earth sciences, geography provides a solid background in geomorphology, conservation, GIS, biogeography, and map use. Exciting field study experiences are also available in both areas.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.
  • A major in geography consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, and four 300-level or higher courses.

Students interested in a career in physical geography and geoscience education may apply for the Mathematics and Science Education Enrollment and Development program (MSEED) in which they complete the bachelor of science in geography and also earn a teaching license in four years.

The education department will provide you with specific advising on the curriculum needed to gain certification to teach geography or earth science. Below are general geography course recommendations for education majors. See also the bachelor of arts in geography education.

Recommended Courses for the Prospective Social Science Teacher:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 200 American Ethnic Geography
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography
  • GEO 274 North American Indian on Film
  • GEO 280 Geography of Cyberspace
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 385 Field Study
  • GEO 420 Rural Geography
  • GEO 470 Political Geography
  • GEO 474 Historical Geography of the United States
  • GEO 475 Culture, Nature, Landscape
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study
 Recommended Courses for the Prospective Earth Science Teacher:
  • MET 103 Introduction to Meteorology
  • GEO 104 Introduction to Geomorphology
  • GEO 204 National Parks
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • MET 215 Climatology
  • GEO 225 Digital Cartography and GPS
  • GEO 230 Introduction to Remote Sensing
  • MET 240 Introduction to Climate Change
  • GEO 260 Environmental Conservation
  • GEO 365 Biogeography
  • GEO 385 Field Study
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 430 Advanced Remote Sensing
  • GEO 460 Data Analysis
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography (Biogeography; Environmental Management)
  • GEO 495 Independent Study

Recommended Complementary Courses for Earth Science

  • ASTRO 101 Astronomy
  • BIO 172 Diversity of Life
  • CHEM 111 Introduction to Chemistry

Field Study locations include:

  • Yellowstone National Park and the Oregon Trail
  • Indian Mound Sites of the American South
  • Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert
  • Volcanoes of Hawaii
  • Glaciers of Alaska

A minor or second major in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with knowledge of American ethnic, socio-economic, and urban patterns and with critical skills in geographic information systems (GIS). These GIS courses provide students with expertise in a nationally recognized “Top 20” growth industry. Exciting field study experiences and paid internship opportunities are also available.

  • A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.
  • A major in geography consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, and four 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

  • GEO 101 World Human Geography
  • GEO 102 Globalization and Development
  • GEO 200 American Ethnic Geography
  • GEO 201 Economic Geography
  • GEO 210 Current Themes in Geography
  • GEO 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 274 North American Indian on Film
  • GEO 301 Regional Geographies of the World
  • GEO 320 Urban Geography
  • GEO 321 Urban and Regional Planning
  • GEO 385 Field Study
  • GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO 470 Political Geography
  • GEO 474 Historical Geography of the United States
  • GEO 486 Internship in Geography
  • GEO 490 Selected Topics in Geography
  • GEO 495 Independent Study
 Field Study locations include:
  • Indian Mound Sites of the American South
  • Ethnic Chicago: A Cultural and Social Geography of the City

Internship opportunities available at:

  • Urban and regional planning firms
  • GIS firms
  • Library of Congress
  • American Indian reservations
  • U.S. Census Bureau