Geography

GEOGRAPHY

Chair: Richard H Jackson
Graduate Coordinator: J. Matthew Shumway
690-F SWKT
Provo, UT 84602-5526
(801) 378-4116

THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES

The master of science in geography is designed to allow students with a major or minor in geography to focus on an area of specialization within the discipline. Geography has been described as the “science of place”—studying human-environment relationships that create the uniqueness of each place.

The department goals focus on providing graduate students experience in research and analysis of the physical and cultural phenomena that shape the world. Seminars and other course work are designed to train graduate students in the geographic research, writing, and presentation skills necessary for employment or further graduate study.

Academically, the department integrates traditional course work with fieldwork and computer analysis of data to train students who can contribute to the solution of the real world issues facing human use of the earth today. The department's computer-based Cartography and Geographic Information Systems Laboratory is one of the premier training centers in GIS in the American west. Combined with the research interests of the department faculty, which are global in their diversity, it provides an unparalleled opportunity for graduate students to experience the excitement of research and creativity.

The average number of students admitted to the program each year is ten; the average duration of the degree program is one and a half years.

One degree is offered through the Department of Geography: Geography—MS.

Geography—MS

This program is designed to provide a general background at the graduate level for either a terminal degree or preparation for more advanced work. Areas of specialization within the degree: Cartography, Geography, Planning.

Admission and Entry.

• Semesters of entry and application deadlines: fall, February 15 (U.S. and international).
• Application requirements: minimum 3.0 GPA for last 60 semester credits; three academic letters of recommendation; and statement of intent describing field of interest and career goals. Decisions to admit are made by mid-March.
• Entrance examination: GRE general test. Scores must be received by February 15.
• Prerequisite: undergraduate minor in geography or equivalent; strong language background for area studies emphasis; and business mathematics or statistics background for business or industry emphasis.

Requirements for Degree.

• Credit hours (30): minimum 24 course work hours plus 6 thesis hours (Geog 699R).
• Required courses: Geog 600R (3 credit hours, 2 taken fall and 1 taken winter), 605, 620, 621, 625.
• No more than 7 hours total from cooperative education (see course descriptions that follow), special problems, or readings courses may be applied toward the degree.
• Minor (optional): supporting courses chosen in consultation with committee.
• Thesis.
• Examination: oral defense of thesis.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

There is no financial aid offered from the Geography Department. Partial tuition help is available in the form of scholarships awarded by the department for qualifying students after their first semester in the program. Graduate students are employed as research assistants, teaching assistants, and graders.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

GIS Laboratory. Housed in the Geography Department, this $1.3 million laboratory contains state-of-the-art UNIX and PC workstations devoted to cartography, GIS analysis, terrain modeling, digital photogrammetry, and satellite image processing. The lab also contains peripherals for scanning, digitizing, and large-format plotting. To ensure that the latest technology is always available, by policy all software is updated annually. To assist in field mapping, high-accuracy global positioning system equipment is provided for qualified students' use. In addition, the laboratory contains photo interpretation equipment, a copy camera, darkroom, and printing facilities needed for traditional and hybrid map production.

Land Use and Regional Studies Laboratory. The department has a computer laboratory devoted to land use planning and regional studies, and workstations, printers, and data sets for use by students and faculty for research related to course work and student and faculty research.

For a more detailed description of the graduate program requirements, send for a copy of the department's bulletin.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Class Schedule

501R. Topics in Systematic Geography. (1-3)

Detailed investigation of selected geographic topics.

502R. Seminar in Regional Geography. (1-3)

510. Advanced Urban Dynamics and Planning. (3)

Prerequisite: Geog 310, 410, or equivalent.

Advanced study in urban geography and land use planning; emphasizes urban morphology, land use patterns, and spatial analysis; critical evaluation of models and theories.

512. Issues in Computer Cartography. (3)

Prerequisite: Geog 312 or equivalent.

Current techniques for compilation, integration, and display of digital map data.

513. (Geog-CEEn) Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. (3)

Prerequisite: CEEn 113.

Using data obtained from visible portion (photographs) and broader range (radiometers, radar, microwaves, infrared, remote, etc.) of electromagnetic spectrum to solve engineering problems. Maps, mapping procedures, and photo and electronic data interpretation.

515. Decision Making in Geographic Information Systems. (2)

Prerequisite: Geog 412 or equivalent.

Analysis and modeling of geographic information for decision making in natural and urban environments.

517. Analytical Cartography. (3)

Prerequisite: Geog 512; CS 130 or other formal course work in C or C++ programming.

Geocoding, spatial data representation, and map-based transformations.

518R. Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing. (2)

Prerequisite: Geog 515.

Application of GIS and satellite remote sensing methods to practical problems in urban and physical environments.

519. Global Positioning Systems. (2)

Prerequisite: Geog 211 or instructor's consent.

Earth coordinate systems, map projections, and global positioning system methods.

580. Geography of the Developing World. (3)

Analysis and description of the developing world from a spatial perspective; emphasis on environmental challenges to development.

599R. Cooperative Education. (1-3)

On-the-job experience. No more than 3 hours in cooperative education may apply toward any one degree.

600R. Graduate Colloquium. (1-3)

Prerequisite: graduate standing.

Nature of geographical investigation and the problems of graduate work.

605. History and Philosophy of Geography. (3)

Analysis of the intellectual history and related paradigms associated with geography as a professional discipline.

612. Seminar in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems. (3)

Prerequisite: Geog 515.

Integration of remote sensing, geographical information systems, photogrammetry, and field work for solving geographic mapping problems.

620. Seminar in Cultural Geography. (3)

621. Seminar in Physical Geography. (3)

625. Spatial Theory and Analysis. (3)

Examination and spatial application of the mathematical and statistical theories utilized in explaining and predicting geographical phenomena.

690R. Special Topics. (1-4)

699R. Master's Thesis. (1-6)

FACULTY 

DAVIS, JAMES A., Assistant Professor. PhD, Arizona State University, 1993. Urban Planning; Cultural Geography.

EMMETT, CHAD, Assistant Professor. PhD, University of Chicago, 1991. Middle East; Political and Cultural Geography.

GREY, ALAN H., Professor. PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1963. New Zealand; General; Historical.

HARDIN, PERRY J., Associate Professor. PhD, University of Utah, 1989. Cartography; Geographic Information Systems; Remote Sensing.

HUDMAN, LLOYD E., Professor. PhD, University of Kansas, 1970. Urban Geography; Travel and Tourism.

JACKSON, RICHARD H, Professor. PhD, Clark University, 1970. North America; Cultural Geography; Planning.

SHUMWAY, J. MATTHEW, Assistant Professor. PhD, Indiana University, 1991. Population; Economic Geography.

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