No academic discipline has broader interests than does geography, and the OSU Department of Geography allows students the flexibility to pursue studies that lead to a wide range of educational goals and careers. Students with interests in environment, planning, real estate, economic development, international affairs, travel, area studies, management or education are among those which can be accommodated. A geography minor program is also available for those who see geography as complementary to another field of study. Those who wish to study geography tend to be interested in their own surroundings and in other places. They also possess a curiosity for maps, the basic tool of the field.
Many careers are available to the geography major or minor.
Recent graduates have been employed in urban and regional planning, community development, locational analysis in both the public and private sector, resource planning and management, various forms of domestic and foreign service, cartography and teaching. Geography also provides an excellent foundation for a liberal education and is a good basis for a career in business, industry or government. The department possesses a cartographic laboratory, the Center for Applications of Remote Sensing, a computer mapping facility, an interactive weather analysis system with satellite data feed, and extensive Geographic Information System capabilities. The Journal of Cultural Geography, Sport Place, and The Journal of Central Asian Studies are edited in the Department. Complementary course work supporting these specialized areas is available in other departments.