Geography MS

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The Department of Geography provides an intellectually challenging environment that encourages the investigation of the “where” and “why” of various social, economic and environmental phenomena. Our faculty members are committed to teaching and mentoring in a collaborative environment. We provide personalized tutelage and encourage students to work closely with faculty.

Curriculum for All Tracks

Required Core (11 credits)

GEO 500SEM - Graduate Geography Intro Credits: 3 and
GEO 501SEM - Research Design Credits: 1
or
GEO 504SEM - Geography Seminar Credits: 1 and
GEO 5XX/6XX - GEO Methods Course Credits: 3
GEO 505LLB - Univariate Stat in Geog Credits: 4 *
GEO 506LLB - Geographical Informat Sys Credits: 4
GEO 509LEC - Multivariate Stat in Geog Credits: 3
*GEO 505 is a prerequisite for GEO 509 .

Statistics & Quantitative Methods (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

GEO 502SEM - Geography/Survey Methods Credits: 3
GEO 577LEC - Environmental Statistics Credits: 3
GEO 597LEC - Geostatistics Credits: 3
GEO 605LEC - Spatial Statistics Credits: 3
OR approved graduate level biostatistics (STA) or econometrics (ECO) course (prior approval from student’s advisor required) Credits: 3

Computer Programming (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

CSE 503LR - Computer Science for Non Majors Credits: 3
GEO 503SEM - Geography Seminar Credits: 3
GEO 555LEC - GIS Algorith & Data Struc Credits: 3
GEO 514LEC - GIS and Machine Learning Credits: 3

Electives & Culminating Experience (19 credits)

GIS Electives for All Tracks (7-8 credits)

(Note: GEO 506 is a pre-req for some of the courses listed below.)

GEO 507LEC - Locational Analysis Credits: 3
GEO 520LAB - Transport/Spatial Info Credits: 1 and
GEO 520LEC - Transport/Spatial Info Credits: 3
GEO 550LAB - Intro Grad Cartography Credits: 1 and
GEO 550LEC - Intro Grad Cartography Credits: 3
GEO 551LEC - Cartography and Geog Viz Credits: 3
GEO 553LLB - Remote Sensing Credits: 4
GEO 555LAB - GIS Algorith & Data Struc Credits: 1 and
GEO 555LEC - GIS Algorith & Data Struc Credits: 3
GEO 556LAB - GIS Design Credits: 1 and
GEO 556SEM - GIS Design Credits: 3
GEO 559LLB - GIS for Environ Modeling Credits: 4
GEO 593LEC - Dynamic Modeling Credits: 3
GEO 595LEC - Database Design for GIS Credits: 3

Culminating Experience: Project, Portfolio or Thesis (1-3 credits)

GEO 534TUT - Grad Research Problems Credits: 1 - 4
GEO 631TUT - Research Guidance Credits: 1 - 3
GEO 742TUT - Geog Internship Credits: 1 - 3

Specialized Track Electives

Select from:

Earth Systems Science Track
Economic Geography and Business Geographics Track
Health Geography Track

Specialized Track Electives (9-10 Credits)

Number of elective credits may vary depending on choice made to complete the culminating experience. Be sure to complete enough elective credit to reach 36 minimum total credit hours.

Environmental and Earth Systems Science Track Electives

Select a minimum of 3 from:

One approved graduate elective course in Geology, Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, or Computer Science and Engineering is allowed with prior approval from academic advisor.
Other Graduate level GEO courses with prior approval from an academic advisor.

GEO 503SEM - Geography Seminar Credits: 3
GEO 515LEC - Conservation Biogeography Credits: 3
GEO 545SEM - Restoration Ecology Credits: 3
GEO 547LEC - Adv Earth Systems Science Credits: 3
GEO 548LEC - Stream Restoration Credits: 3
GEO 549LEC - Fluvial Geomorphology Credits: 3
GEO 559LLB - GIS for Environ Modeling Credits: 4 * (if not used to fulfill GIS elective requirement)
GEO 561LEC - Ecohydrology Credits: 3
GEO 570LEC - Integr Environment Mgmt Credits: 3
GEO 575LEC - GIS Data Science Project Management Credits: 3
GEO 610LAB - Field/Laboratoary Problems Credits: 3

Economic Geography and Business Geographics Electives

Select a minimum of 3 from:

One elective course from anoother department in an area of science or engineering with prior approval from an academic advisor.

GEO 507LEC - Locational Analysis Credits: 3
GEO 518LEC - Population Geography Credits: 3
GEO 519LEC - Transportation Credits: 3
GEO 530LEC - Urban Geography Credits: 3
GEO 554LEC - Network and Location Anal. Credits: 3
GEO 605LEC - Spatial Statistics Credits: 3 * (if not used to fulfill Statistics requirement)
GEO 625LEC - Global Business Landscapes Credits: 3
GEO 630LEC - Urban Geography Models Credits: 3
GEO 640LEC - The Asia-Pacific Economy Credits: 3

Health Geography Track Electives

Select a minimum of 3 from:

Other Graduate level GEO courses with prior approval from an academic advisor.

GEO 503SEM - Geography Seminar Credits: 3
GEO 507LEC - Locational Analysis Credits: 3 * (if not used to fulfill GIS elective requirement)
GEO 512LEC - Geography of Health Credits: 3
GEO 518LEC - Population Geography Credits: 3
GEO 591LEC - Intro Geog Info Science Credits: 3
GEO 605LEC - Spatial Statistics Credits: 3 * (if not used to fulfill Statistics requirement)

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

36 Hours

Time-To-Degree

2 Years

Application Fee

$75

Program Contact

Gabrielle Jaquays
834 Clemens Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Email: gjaquays@buffalo.edu
Phone: 716-645-3350

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.