Geospatial Sciences
Valpo’s geospatial sciences major is your path to a career in the fast-growing industry of geographic information systems (GIS).
About Our Geospatial Sciences Degree
With a bachelor’s degree in geospatial sciences at Valpo, you will be equipped for jobs in operational GIS, or you can pursue careers in geospatial software development, data analytics, and modeling by adding a second major or minor from Valpo’s computer science or data science programs. You can also broaden your expertise toward application-driven fields by pairing geospatial sciences with a second major in environmental science, meteorology, or geography, each of which puts spatial analysis to work on real problems in the natural world. Every one of these paths is built on foundational geographic thinking and skills in cartography, visualization, automation, and more.
Valpo’s program is designed to prepare you to earn PreGISP certification, a distinction that signals to employers your technical readiness and professionalism, giving you a significant edge as you enter the job market. The program pairs hands-on projects with expert mentorship, so you graduate having already done the applied work that sets geospatial professionals apart.
Whatever direction you take with geospatial science, you’ll get the benefit of a robust liberal arts education at Valpo. All students start their college journey with the Valparaiso University Experience (VUE) — a collection of core classes that serve as the building blocks of every major. In these courses, you’ll build critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills to help you stand out as a well-rounded geospatial science professional.
Geospatial science at Valpo gives you the technical range to work across the government, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Your early courses ground you in the core of the discipline including geospatial analysis, digital mapping, database management, and programming. From there you move into advanced geospatial technologies, machine learning, and the methods that turn raw spatial data into insight.
The program closes with a capstone of your choice, which could be a field study, an internship, or original research. You graduate with hands-on experience employers look for.
Geospatial Sciences, B.S.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements: 124 Cr.
Major Requirements
Minimum 42 Cr.
Geography Core: 7 Cr.
Take four (4) credits from the following:
- GEO 104 – Environmental Earth Science — 4 Cr.
- MET 103 – Introduction to Meteorology — 4 Cr.
Take three (3) credits from the following:
- GEO 101 – World Human Geography — 3 Cr.
- GEO 102SS – Globalization and Development — 3 Cr.
- GEO 280 – Geography of Cyberspace — 3 Cr.
- GEO 301CD – Regional Geographies of the World — 3 Cr.
- GEO 321 – Urban and Regional Planning — 3 Cr.
Foundations of Geospatial Analysis and Mapping: 9 Cr.
- GEO 215 – Intro to Geographic Info Systems, Systems — 4 Cr.
- GEO 225 – Cartography and Map Design — 3 Cr.
Select one of the following:
- GEO 232 – Introduction to Python for Earth Sciences — 2 Cr.
- MET 330 – Meterological Computer Applications — 3 Cr.
Foundations of Data Analysis, Databases, and Programming: 9 Cr.
Take three (3) credits from the following:
- DATA 140 – General Statistics — 3 Cr.
- DATA 240 – Statistical Analysis — 3 Cr.
- GEO 460 – Data Analysis — 3 Cr.
- Any new or topic course approved by the Department Chair.
Take three (3) credits from the following:
- CS 157 – Algorithms and Programming — 3 Cr.
- CS 340 – Web Programming — 3 Cr.
- DATA 315 – Introduction to Data Science — 3 Cr.
- Any new or topic course approved by the Department Chair.
Take three (3) credits from the following:
- BAN 330 – Database Management Systems — 3 Cr.
- CS 350 – Database Management Systems — 3 Cr.
- Any new or topic course approved by the Department Chair.
Geospatial Technologies and Information Analysis: 12 Cr.
- GEO 315 – Environmental Applications of GIS — 3 Cr.
- GEO 316 – Internet Mapping & Web GIS — 3 Cr.
- GEO 415 – Advanced Geographic Information Systems — 3 Cr.
Take at least three (3) credits from the following:
- GEO 130 – Earth From Above — 4 Cr.
- GEO 330 – Remote Sensing of the Environment — 3 Cr.
Advanced Geospatial Perspectives and Applications: 3 Cr.
Take three (3) credits from the following:
- Any GEO class 300-level or above (Geospatial emphasis)
- BAN 440 – Machine Learning — 3 Cr.
- DATA 433 – Data Mining and Applications — 3 Cr.
- Any new or topic course approved by the Department Chair.
Capstone and Field Experience in Geospatial Sciences: 2 Cr.
Take two (2) credits from the following:
- GEO 385 – Field Study — 1 Cr.
- GEO 486 – Internship in Geography — 1 Cr.
- GEO 496 – Research in Geography — 1 Cr.
Every year, the department grants the Moellering Award for Excellence in Geospatial Analysis, two merit-based scholarships of up to $4,000 each, to one junior and one senior majoring in geospatial sciences.
Minor
A minor in GIS is also available for any student interested in developing in-demand skills working with this technology. You’ll learn how to map and analyze spatial data, which can complement a range of fields. Examples of students who might benefit from learning to work with GIS include:
- A biology major interested in mapping and understanding the factors that affect the distribution of invasive species
- A civil engineering major who wants to better understand and map multiple site conditions for a project
- A chemistry major seeking to document and map water sampling sites as well as the potential sources of water pollution
- A business or economics major who wants to find the ideal location for a new store or understanding variations in consumer demographics
- A political science major interested in mapping election results
- A sociology major interested in understanding spatial variations in social indicators
- A computer science major who wants to build the mapping applications and spatial databases that GIS runs on, turning location data into working software
- A data science major looking to add spatial analysis as a valuable skillset to develop models that incorporate location as a crucial dataset
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At Valparaiso University, you’ll get the benefit of professors who aren’t just experts, but passionate professionals eager to share their knowledge and experience to help you grow.
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