Geography: Applied Geographic Information Science

Master of Science (MS) in Geography

30 credits

This program is designed to provide a solid background in skills such as remote sensing, GIS, and advanced cartography to be applied to various sub-disciplines of geography and allied fields. The demands for skilled work force in these fields continue to expand in industries, business, and government, both locally and nationally. The Internet has paved the way for different types of archived and present data to be available to the public and government in a timely manner. With globalization, employers are looking for people who are skilled in the above fields. An intricate combination of several factors such as growing and changing world economy, changing environment, mobility of multinational corporations, and data availability through various sources have created a major demand for geospatial techniques. The specialized courses in remote sensing, GIS, and advanced cartography are designed for students who are interested in handling various types of spatial data.
The Department of Geography is equipped with leading software in remote sensing, GIS, and cartography. The department’s experienced faculty members can accommodate the needs of students with varied interests.

Degree requirements

Requires 30 credits, including the research requirement. Undergraduate deficiencies must be fulfilled as needed. Specialized programs apply state-of-the-art technologies such as remote sensing, GIS, and cartography in various sub-disciplines of geography, atmospheric science, and allied sciences. The requirements are flexible and allow students to arrange programs of study that will serve as a basis for further graduate study; as preparation for positions in industry, business, and government; or as a way to meet the immediate and changing needs of teachers and educators.

Course requirements

All students must complete 9 credits of core courses, 15 credits of directed electives, and 6 credits of Thesis (THES 698).

Core requirements, 9 credits

• History of Geographic Thought
• Research Methods in Geography
• Quantitative Methods in Environmental Geography

Directed electives, 15 credits from

• Cartography and Visualization of Spatial Data
• Introduction to Remote Sensing
• Advanced Remote Sensing
• Advanced Geographic Information Systems Analysis
• Geographic Information Systems Applications Design and Development
• Seminar in Advanced Techniques in Remote Sensing
• Geographic Information System Design
• Political Geography
• Problems in the Teaching of Earth Science
• Seminar in Geography
• GIS for Environmental Science
• Special Topics in Advanced Cartography
• Special Topics in Remote Sensing
• Special Topics in Atmospheric Science
• Distant Areas Field Studies
• Professional Internship
• Readings and Special Studies in Geography
• Physical Meteorology
• Weather Analysis
• Global Climatology
• Climate Change and Modification
• Atmospheric Hazards
• Satellite, Radar, and Forecasting
• Thermodynamic Meteorology
• Synoptic Meteorology
• Mesoscale Meteorology
• Dynamic Meteorology
• Field Observation of Severe Local Storms