West Virginia University

Any undergraduate student enrolled at West Virginia University may complete a minor in Geography. The minor must include at least 15 hours of coursework with a minimum of nine hours at the upper-division level (course number of 300 or above). Students must achieve at least a 2.0 grade-point average in the courses for the minor. The undergraduate minor in geography complements many other programs in the University such as Economics, Environmental Protection, Geology, History, International Studies, Landscape Architecture, Political Science, Recreation and Parks Management, and Resource Economics. Geography provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to explain the spatial organization of society including; why some places are more or less developed than others, ways in which development and planning can take place, and the relationship between the natural environment and human activities.

Students with a minor in Geography receive specialized training in one of the program's four options: Development and Planning; Geographical Information Science; Natural Resources and Environment; and International Area Studies . In certain cases, a student may design a minor that combines elements of the four options. Geography qualifies students for a number of careers in both the private and public sectors. In industry , geographers are hired as business location researchers, environmental impact consultants, market analysts, cartographers, and geographic information systems analysts. In government, geographers can work as city planners, regional and state economic development specialists, environmental and resource development analysts, land use planners, international development agency advisors, teachers and trainers, cartographers, and geographic information system analysts. Some geographers may also use their training to pursue careers as environmental or community activists in non-profit organizations .

MINOR GEOGRAPHY DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1 – Development and Planning

Recommended Courses: Geog. 102 or 108, 107, and 9 hours from 209, 210, 240, 241, 243, 411, 421, or 425.

2 - Geographical Information Science

Recommended Courses: Geog. 102 or 108, 107, 350 and 6 hours from Geog. 350, 300, 415, 452, or 462.

3 - Natural Resources and Environment

Recommended Courses: Geog. 102 or 108, 107, 205, and 6 hours from Geog. 207, 201, 415, or 321.

4 - International Area Studies

Recommended Courses: Geog. 102 or 108, 107, and 9 hours from Geog. 241, 243, 302, or 310.

5 - General

Recommended Courses: Geog. 102 or 108, 107, and 9 additional hours of geography, comprising no more than 3 hours of Geog. 492 or 491.