Geography

105 Wilkeson Quad
Ellicott Complex
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261

716-645-2722
www.buffalo.edu/cas/geography.html

D. Scott Mackay, Ph.D.
Chair

Jared Aldstadt, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Studies

Geography Overview

Geography is concerned with the location and arrangement in space of human and natural phenomena, and with the interrelationships between people and their environments. The Department of Geography has four major areas of concentration. Earth Systems Science focuses on the fundamental processes that dominate the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, their characteristics and complex interactions, and their impact on human life and society. Geographic Information Systems focuses on the theoretical foundations geographical information science, the development and use of state-of-the-art software and emerging technology, and the collection, processing, and interpretation of geospatial information. International Trade focuses on economic and business geography, and it prepares students to critically assess the process of globalization operating in the world today, including the growth of multinationals and foreign direct investment, international trade, the internationalization of capital and financial markets, new international divisions of labor, and the rapid development of technology and innovations. Urban and Regional Analysis focuses on a wide variety of economic and social problems related to transportation, land use, urban environment, housing, work and welfare, population changes and migration, and health within a geographical context.

The Geography BA with a concentration in Earth Systems Science examines current environmental problems through quantitative methods, analysis, and modeling grounded in basic and applied science and research. This curriculum introduces students to the fundamental processes that dominate the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, their characteristics and complex interactions, and their impact on human life and society.

The Geography BA with a concentration in Urban and Regional Analysis prepares students to identify and address a wide variety of economic and social problems related to population changes and migration, land use, environment, housing, work and welfare, health, and transportation within a geographical context. This curriculum focuses on the theoretical foundations of geographical analysis and urban environments, the use and interpretation of statistics, and the collection, processing, and interpretation of geospatial information.

A Geographic Information Science BS degree provides students with cutting-edge knowledge, skills, and abilities in using geospatial technologies, and this includes geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing, locational analysis, and geographic visualization. This curriculum focuses on the theoretical foundations of geographical information science, the development and use of state-of-the-art software and emerging technology, and the collection, processing, and interpretation of geospatial information. Because the use of geospatial technology and GIS in society is widespread, demand for these skills in public and private sectors remains high and continues to grow, offering students diverse career opportunities.

The International Trade BA degree is unique to the Department of Geography at UB. The degree offers students the opportunity to learn about trade from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Students use the tools of economic and business geography to understand the dynamics of multinational corporations, global financial markets, and technology and innovation change. As they progress through the degree, students learn to evaluate how these global-scale changes create opportunities and constraints for regional development in the United States and abroad. Students focus on the critical social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by workers, corporate decision-makers, government policy makers, and non-governmental organizations, which ultimately shape social outcomes and patterns of uneven development.

Academic Advising

Students obtain academic advice and guidance from the academic advisors in the College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisement & Services office (275 Park Hall) and from faculty in their program of study. The CAS Student Advisement and Services Office assists undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences to plan their academic trajectory, develop goals and successfully complete their college careers.

Academic Advising Contact Information

College of Arts & Sciences Student Advisement & Services
275 Park Hall, North Campus
North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-4140
Phone: 716-645-6883
Email: cas-advisor@buffalo.edu

Programs

Majors

Combined

Geography BA/MA

Minors

Geography Minor