A large proportion of students interested in following the Environmental Analysis Masters portfolio aim at pursuing professional carriers in local, regional or national planning agencies or organizations, engineering consulting firms, GIS service providers, environmental companies, and other public or private organizations. For this group of students, the portfolio is a very attractive alternative to the MA degree with Project/Thesis, in that it will allow them to complete their degree in 18 months, while acquiring the practical experience required in environmental management positions.

Students are able to earn an MA degree in Geography with specialization in Environmental Analysis after completing a minimum of 36 credits and assembling a competency portfolio. They should expect to devote one year of full-time study to the program, although those students whose preparation in basic geography, computer science, statistics or mathematics is weak may require an additional semester.

Course Combination

The core requirements for graduate students wishing to specialize in Environmental Analysis assume previous coursework in univariate statistics (1 semester), calculus and analytic geometry or linear mathematics (2 semesters). Working knowledge of at least one high-level programming language such as Visual Basic or C++ is beneficiary. Students are welcome to satisfy deficiencies in these areas during their graduate tenure, and must realize this may extend the time to completion of the degree.

The department encourages students to consider internships, for example in environmental planning agencies and private consultancy and GIS firms, to expand their learning experience.

Students are required to take and select a course combination from Environmental Analysis courses offered within the Geography Department as well as in other Departments at UB that cover the core courses and basically three areas (minimum of 36 credit hours with a minimum of 24 GEO credit hours):

1. Required Core Courses (8 credits with min. 8 GEO credits),

2. Electives: Physical & Environmental Theory (12 credits with min. 8 GEO credit hours),

3. Electives: Tools in Geographic Information Science (10 credits with min. 7 GEO credits), and

4. Electives: Environment & Society (6 credits with min. 0 GEO credits).

Any addition to the elective lists (II, III and IV), an Internship (maximum of  3 credit hours; 1 credit hour = 30 hours) or Portfolio credit (1) requires approval by the advisor.

I. Required Core Courses

II. Electives: Courses in Physical & Environmental Theory

III. Electives: Tools in Geographic Information Science

IV. Environment & Society

Content of the Competency Portfolio

Students selecting the portfolio option will be required to compile a set of materials that summarizes and displays his or her knowledge, skills, and problem-solving capabilities in environmental analysis. Unlike the project report option that requires research in a focused area, the portfolio option will assess the student's competence along several facets of environmental analysis. This option also emphasizes the student's ability to handle, analyze, and report on geo-spatial environmental data within the confines of a project, as both technical and project management skills are typically required for professional employment in this field. The portfolio itself may even serve eventually as part of a student's application package when he or she is seeking professional employment. The portfolio option also maintains a strong research component because the student must develop research projects and write research papers in selected environmental courses. This work will provide the student with the necessary research experience and allow the student to develop a balanced intellectual growth both in practical skills and in critical thinking.

The portfolio must contain the following five essential items besides any other related documents such as class projects/papers, internship report, conference paper, grant proposals, etc.:

1. A statement of educational and professional goals achieved and perceived (2 pages). 
2. A resume (2 pages). 
3. A primary research paper on a topic of environmental analysis and management (at least 15 pages text; format according to report guidelines of a peer-reviewed journal). 
4. An original application study of authentic environmental analysis and management and necessary textual applications (at least 15 pages text; format according to guidelines of a peer-reviewed project report). 
5. An oral presentation of primary research paper or original application study in colloquium presentation (this event takes place once a semester; during or after the department colloquium).

Additional Rules Governing the Creation of the Portfolio

• The statement of educational and professional goals is a requirement for the course "Research Design/Portfolio focus" and may be modified for the final portfolio.

• The application study of environmental analysis and management presents an analysis at the local, regional, national or global scale. The case study will include the collection or compilation of primary or secondary data, their management and storage in a suitable spatial database environment, statistical and/or GIS analysis, spatial and/or graphic illustrations, and the necessary textual explanation.

• The oral presentation may be coupled with the application study or research paper mentioned above. However, we recommend choosing material for the portfolio that illustrates a diverse and broad spectrum in environmental analysis.

• The materials in the portfolio must be physically assembled in a manner that achieves a professional appearance. All elements within each required item must be organized cohesively and be self-explanatory. Although the paper and application study may be initially developed in courses, it is anticipated that further revisions will usually be required in order to ensure the quality of the portfolio at a level satisfactory for graduation. Both hard copy and digital copy must be submitted.

• The major advisor is responsible for helping the student select courses appropriate for the successful completion of the portfolio. This should be a part of the planning in the advisement period prior to the first semester of class work. Every student must officially declare which option (portfolio or project) he or she will pursue no later than the end of the first semester of full-time coursework or upon completion of 12 credit hours if a part-time student. (Part-time students should similarly plan their portfolios prior to enrolling for courses each semester).

• Upon completion of the portfolio the student's advisor and a second reader must evaluate the work, and, if it is satisfactory, they will approve the portfolio and submit an M[multipurpose]-form to the Graduate School granting permission for the student to graduate.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Good GRE and TOEFL scores
• Three letters of reference.

Core Environmental Analysis Faculty

Athol Abrahams, Professor, abrahams@geog.buffalo.edu

Sean Bennett, Assistant Professor, seanb@buffalo.edu

Ling Bian, Associate Professor, lbian@geog.buffalo.edu

Chris Larsen, Associate Professor, larsen@geog.buffalo.edu

Scott Mackay, Assistant Professor, dsmackay@buffalo.edu

David Mark, Professor, dmark@geog.buffalo.edu

Chris Renschler, Assistant Professor, rensch@buffalo.edu

Michael Woldenberg, Professor, geomike@buffalo.edu