Geographers have an ongoing concern with the acquisition, manipulation, and display of spatial data.  The widespread adoption of computers and the advent of global position systems, satellite-based remote sensing, and virtual reality systems have revolutionized geography and placed it at the cutting edge.  Geographic information science (GI science) seeks to redefine concepts for their use in the digital age, while geographic information systems (GIS) employs powerful technologies to analyze, visualize, and display spatial patterns.

A GIS is a computerized hardware and software system that is used to store, display, analyze, and map information.  Although hand-drawn map production remains an art, GIS, computer-based cartography, and geo-visualization allow for more detailed and more versatile maps.  Private firms and federal, regional, and local agencies in many countries utilize GIS to analyze large volumes of spatial information.  Applications of GIS include using 911 emergency-number-system data to pinpoint high concentrations of criminal activity, investigating connections between health problems and environmental factors, modeling erosion processes, designing routing procedures for activities such as hazardous materials shipments and the automated dispatch and routing of emergency vehicles. 

The UB Department of Geography’s GIS specialization is one of the first programs in the nation to recognize the increasing emphasis on the development of tools for data processing, analysis, and display in professional training. The graduate program educates students in methods of computer and computer-assisted map production, and emerging methods and technologies for scientific visualization.  The focus is on using graphics as an illustrative and analytic tool.  Recent developments in automated data handling and display technology have had far-reaching impact on methods of map production and on the skills required by the contemporary cartographer.  It gives them advanced technical knowledge to easily begin careers in government, industry, and teaching and research positions.

The GIS specialty teaches students GIS applications and design, utilizing both workstation and microcomputer-based geographic information systems.  Students may focus on the technical aspects of GIS, including algorithms and data structures, spatial statistics, and cartometric analysis.

UB graduates trained in GIS are in high demand in the job market.  Recent graduates are using their GIS skills in such diverse areas as regional planning offices, research and consulting firms, marketing agencies, federal government institutions (such as the Departments of Defense and Commerce), the United Nations, computer software companies, and U.S. and foreign universities. 

Most cartographic agencies are implementing computer-assisted production systems, and demand is high for cartographers trained in GIS and automated mapping.  Our program provides appropriate training in the latest technological areas while valuing the basic concepts of traditional cartographic theory and design.  We successfully prepare our graduates for careers in mapping agencies and private mapping firms and publishing houses.

Students are able to earn an MA degree in Geography with specialization in GIS after completing 30 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.

Core Courses

The core requirements for graduate students wishing to specialize in GIS assume previous coursework in univariate statistics (1 semester), calculus and analytic geometry or linear mathematics (2 semesters), and a working knowledge of at least one high-level programming language such as Visual Basic or C++.  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.

Geographic Information Systems is a core course that can be waived for entering graduate students having substantial background in this topic.

Elective Courses

Students select courses from the GIS courses offering within the Geography Department as well as in other UB departments.  The following is a list of recommended courses offered within the Geography Department.  Electives in Cartography and Geographic Visualization, Remote Sensing, and Algorithms and Data Structures are available to those emphasizing Computer Cartography.  Electives in GIS Design, Spatial Statistics, Geostatistics, Computational Geography, and Algorithms and Data Structures, Network and Location Analysis are available for emphasis in GIS.  Finally, a variety of courses concentrate on the use of GIS in particular domains of application.

The following is a list of recommended courses offered within the Geography Department.

Students may take no more than 3 credit hours of Project Guidance (GEO 631) out of the 30 required hours, and these credit hours must be used for the purpose of preparing the portfolio.

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

Content of the Competency Portfolio

Students selecting the “competency 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 GIS.  The portfolio option emphasizes the student’s competence over several technical areas in GIS.  In addition, this option emphasizes the student’s ability to design, manage, operate, and report on a project or projects, 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 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 should contain the following items:

1. A resume and a short summary (2 pages) of the student’s interests, professional and academic experiences, and career goals.
   
   
2. A primary research paper (10-15 pages or more) pertaining to GIS, or their use in a specific application. The paper should include the basic elements of a research paper such as introduction, literature review, analysis, results and discussion, and conclusions.
   
   
3. An original application study on, or with, GIS or the development of a new algorithm or macro-language code (including pseudo-code) as follows:
   

   a. A sequence of spatial or/and graphic illustrations along with the necessary textual explanation to present a GIS-application case study.

   or

   b. An algorithm, code, or pseudo-code with the necessary documentation to present a problem-solving case study.

   This application study may be coupled with the research paper mentioned above.

The “competency portfolio” option is particularly attractive to students who can complete their degree in 9 to 12 months, while acquiring the practical experience required in GIS positions.

Admission Requirements

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

Core GIS Faculty

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

Irene Casas, Assistant Professor, icasas@buffalo.edu

Douglas Flewelling, Assistant Professor, dougf@geog.buffalo.edu

Scott Mackay, Assistant Professor, dsmackay@buffalo.edu

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

Chris Renschler, Assistant Professor, rensch@buffalo.edu

Peter Rogerson, Professor, rogerson@buffalo.edu

Narushige Shiode, Assistant Professor, nshiode@buffalo.edu

Jean-Claude Thill, Professor, jcthill@buffalo.edu