Choose the Track That Fits Your Goals
The Master of Science program requires the student to complete a 15-credit track in GIS/Cartography, Regional Planning, or Environmental Planning. Each track includes two required courses and a list of options.
All graduate degree programs require a minimum of 33 hours of credit for the thesis option or at least 39 hours for the non-thesis option. Nine of these hours constitute the core program. These include three core courses: GEOG 610, GEOG 612, and GEOG 614. Graduate students have the option to incorporate an internship as part of the MS program, up to six credits.
For students selecting the non-thesis option, a portfolio is a nongraded graduation requirement. A three-person faculty committee will evaluate the portfolio, which will include at least three of the student's best pieces of work and written reflective analysis. The portfolio is submitted by the end of the first week of the semester the student is scheduled to graduate.
Master of Science in Geography
Core Program (9cr)
GEOG 610 - Research in Geography and Regional Planning 3 cr
GEOG 612 - Quantitative Techniques in Geography and Regional Planning 3 cr
GEOG 614 - Thought and Philosophy in Geography and Regional Planning 3 cr
In addition to the core program, the MS candidate selects a track in GIS/Cartography (15cr minimum), Regional Planning, or Environmental Planning, and elects three to six credits in Geography and related fields with thesis (1-6cr) and 15 credits without a thesis. A six-credit internship may be included.
Tracks (Choose One)
A. GIS/Cartography Track (15cr)
Five courses from among the following.
GEOG 513* - Cartography 3cr
GEOG 514 - Map and Photograph Interpretation 3cr
GEOG 515 - Remote Sensing 3cr
GEOG 516* - Introduction to GIS 3cr
GEOG 517 - Technical Issues in GIS 3cr
GEOG 617 - Field Techniques in Geography and Planning 3cr
GEOG 618 - GIS Applications Development
B. Regional Planning Track (15cr)
Five courses from among the following.
GEOG 531 - Population Geography 3cr
GEOG 532 - Urban Geography 3cr
GEOG 533 - Geography of Trade and Transportation 3cr
GEOG 534 - Political Geography 3cr
GEOG 536 - Social Geography 3cr
GEOG 550 - Introduction to Planning 3cr
GEOG 552* - Planning Methods 3cr
GEOG 554 - Planning Design 3cr
GEOG 558 - Land Use Law 3cr
GEOG 564* - Land Use Policy 3cr
GEOG 568 - Planning Theory 3cr
GEOG 617 - Field Techniques in Geography and Planning 3cr
GEOG 620 - Spatial Structure of the Economy 3cr
GEOG 623 - Regional Development 3cr
GEOG 625 - Environmental Planning 3cr
GEOG 633 - Settlement Geography 3cr
GEOG 665 - Plan Implementation 3cr
PLSC 668 - Public Sector Financial Administration 3cr
C. Environmental Planning Track (15cr)
Five courses from among the following.
GEOG 515 - Remote Sensing 3cr
GEOG 516 - Introduction to GIS 3cr
GEOG 540* - Conservation: Environmental Analysis 3cr
GEOG 541 - Climatology 3cr
GEOG 542 - Physiography 3cr
GEOG 558 - Land Use Law 3cr
GEOG 564 - Land Use Policy 3cr
GEOG 617 - Field Techniques in Geography and Planning 3cr
GEOG 625* - Environmental Planning 3cr
*Required course for track.
Certificate of Recognition in Geography: Geographic Information Science and Geospatial Techniques
All students will be required to complete successfully a total of 18 credits, of which nine hours (three courses) will be core courses. The student will need to choose nine hours (three courses) of electives to complete the program.
Core Courses (9cr)
GEOG 515 - Remote Sensing 3 cr
GEOG 516 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3 cr
GEOG 517 - Technical Issue in GIS*
Elective Courses (9cr)
GEOG 513 - Cartography 3cr
GEOG 514 - Map and Photograph Interpretation 3cr
GEOG 521 - Enterprise GIS Management* 3cr
GEOG 618 - GIS Applications Development* 3cr
GEOG 675 - Spatial Analysis Techniques* 3cr
GEOG 680 - Seminar 3cr
GEOG 681 - Special Topics 3cr
GEOG 699 - Independent Study 3cr
*Indicates that GEOG 516 Introduction to GIS is a prerequisite for the course.
Indicates that permission of the instructor is needed to enroll in the course.
Indicates that GEOG 518 or GEOG 519 may be substituted at discretion of the COR committee.