Academic Programs
> Graduate > Masters of Science (MS)
The Department of Geography offers a new Master of Science (M.S.) in Geography. The M.S. is intended for students who desire to specialize in applications of analytical techniques in the field of geography. Students are trained in advanced information technologies such as geographic information systems, remote sensing, statistical and mathematical modeling, geocomputational models, network and spatial analysis, and quantifying and modeling environmental processes. The degree is aimed at students who want to pursue a career in research, development, and consulting in private and public organizations or plan to pursue a doctoral degree in analytical Geography or Geographic Information Science.
Students admitted to the program are expected to show proficiency in the following areas: calculus, univariate and multivariate statistics, and introductory GIS at the time of admission. Students who do not meet the minimum qualifications are advised to make up deficiencies before entering the M.S. program. M.A. students have the opportunity to be subsequently admitted to the M.S. program.
The M.S. program consists of 36 credit hours. A minimum B grade is required in each course applied toward the program requirements. All students are required to take Introduction to Graduate Geography (GEO 500), Research Design (GEO 501), Multivariate Statistics in Geography (GEO 509), one statistics/quantitative methods course selected from the approved list, one computer programming course, and two GIS courses from the approved list. There are three academic concentrations in which to specialize: Geographic Information Systems and Science, Transportation Science and Business Geographics, and Environmental and Earth Systems Sciences.
Geographic Information Systems and Science (GISS)
The "Geographic Information Systems and Science" (GISS) track requires a minimum of three courses in core concepts, principles, and techniques of geographic information systems and other geospatial information technologies. A student choosing this concentration is trained in modern theories, methods, and technologies related to the capture, manipulation, visualization, and processing of spatial information.
Transportation Science and Business Geographics (TS/BG)
The "Transportation Science and Business Geographics" (TS/BG) track requires a minimum of three courses in analytical transportation analysis and business geographics. A student choosing this concentration will be trained in modern theories and methods of transportation systems science, flow and mobility analysis, and their relations to other aspects of social sciences. This track leads to earning an Advanced Certificate in Transportation and Business Geographics already offered by the Department of Geography.
Environmental and Earth Systems Sciences (EESS)
The "Environmental and Earth Systems Sciences" (EESS) track requires a minimum of three courses in analytical and quantitative Earth surface processes. A student choosing this concentration will be trained in modern theories, models, data collection and analysis techniques, and numerical methods in hydrology, geomorphology, biogeography, and soil science. Emphasis will be placed on analytical methods, field and laboratory techniques, and modern technology used to quantify such processes over various temporal and spatial scales, and their relation to other aspects of physical, biogeochemical, and social sciences.
Requirements
To obtain the M.S. degree, all students must complete a thesis. A proposal of the research to be conducted must be submitted to the advisory committee. This proposal must be defended and approved by the committee before the research can be undertaken. After submission of the thesis, an oral defense must be scheduled and attended by the committee.
For further information, please contact
Betsy Abraham
Secretary for Student Services
E-mail: babraham@buffalo.edu
Phone: 645-2722 x 13
M.S. Curriculum
Core Courses
____ GEO 500 Introduction to Graduate Geography (3 cr.)
____ GEO 501 Research Design (1 cr.)
____ GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography
(Note: GEO 505 is a prerequisite) (3 cr.)
Statistics and Quantitative Methods Elective - One course from the following list:
____ GEO 593 Computational Geography (3 cr.)
____ GEO 597 Geostatistics (3 cr.)
____ GEO 605 Spatial Statistics (3 cr.)
A graduate level biostatistics (STA) or econometrics (ECO) course
(with approval from the M.S. Program Committee)
One graduate level Computer Programming Course from the Geography (GEO) or Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Department (with approval from the M.S. Program Committee) (3 cr.)
Two graduate level GIS courses from the following list (Note: GEO 506 is a prerequisite of some of these courses) (6-8 cr.)
____ GEO 520 Transportation and Spatial Information (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 550 Introduction to Graduate Cartography (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 551 Cartography and Geographic Visualization (3 cr.)
____ GEO 553 Remote Sensing (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 555 GIS Algorithms and Data Structures (3 cr.)
____ GEO 556 GIS Design (3 cr.)
____ GEO 595 Database Design for Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.)
One graduate level GIS course approved by the M.S. Program Committee
Thesis Conference (3 cr.)
____ GEO 701 Thesis Conference (3 cr.)
Graduate Research Problems (GEO 534), Thesis Conference (GEO 701), Internship (GEO 742), or approved elective (0-2 cr.)
Three or More Graduate Level Elective Courses With Significant Quantitative, Computational, or Mathematical Modeling Content (Taken in the Geography Department or in Another Department)1 (9-12 cr.)
Geographic Information Systems and Science Track
____ GEO 520 Transportation and Spatial Information (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 551 Cartography and Geographic Visualization (3 cr.)
____ GEO 553 Remote Sensing (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 554 Networks and Location Analysis (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 555 GIS Algorithms and Data Structures (3 cr.)
____ GEO 556 GIS Design (3 cr.)
____ GEO 559 GIS and Environmental Modeling (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 575 Landscape Modeling with GIS (3 cr.)
____ GEO 591 Introduction to Geographic Information Science (3 cr.)
____ GEO 595 Database Design for Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.)
____ GEO 650 Advanced Topics in Cartography (3 cr.)
____ GEO 655 Advanced Topics in GIS (3 cr.)
One graduate level elective course in the Geography Department
or any department in the Science and Engineering area
(with approval from the M.S. Program Committee)
Environmental and Earth Systems Sciences Track
____ GEO 515 Landscape Ecology (3 cr.)
____ GEO 547 Earth System Science (3 cr.)
____ GEO 549 Fluvial Geomorphology (3 cr.)
____ GEO 559 GIS and Environmental Modeling (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 560 Tree-like Networks (3 cr.)
____ GEO 561 Ecohydrology (3 cr.)
____ GEO 575 Landscape Modeling with GIS (3 cr.)
____ GEO 610 Field/Laboratory Problems (3 cr.)
One graduate level elective course in the Geography Department
or the Departments of Geology, Civil, Structural and
Environmental Engineering, and Computer Science and Engineering
(with approval from the M.S. Program Committee)
Transportation Science / Business Geographics Track
____ GEO 519 Transportation (3 cr.)
____ GEO 520 Transportation and Spatial Information (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 530 Urban Geography (3 cr.)
____ GEO 554 Network and Location Analysis (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 564 Mobility and Flows (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 574 Urban Transportation and Land Use Modeling (3 + 1 cr.)
____ GEO 630 Urban Geography Models (3 cr.)
____ GEO 720 Seminar in Transportation Geography (3 cr.)
One graduate level elective course approved by the Transportation
and Business Geographics Program Committee (Advanced Certificate
in Transportation and Business Geographics) and the M.S. Program
Committee)
1 Courses applied toward M.S. Program core requirements cannot be counted toward the Track electives.