Master of Science
Geospatial Sciences in Geography and Geology

RESEARCH CONCENTRATIONS

The Department of Geography, Geology and Planning has identified three areas of research concentration for prospective students. Students are strongly encouraged to select a research topic in one of these concentration areas.

Physical Geography

Students interested in physical geography can select a research topic in fluvial geomorphology, water quality and watershed management, or climatology. Students should integrate geospatial science with physical geography when doing either a thesis or non-thesis research project. Students selecting this concentration would normally take at least two of the following courses:

• GRY 625 Environmental Hazards
• GRY 635 Global Climate and Weather Cycles
• GRY 645 Global Environmental Change
• GRY 650 Fluvial Geomorphology
• GRY 731 Environmental Assessment
• GRY 751 Topics in Advanced Physical Geography
• GEO 770 Advanced Field & Laboratory Methods

Human Geography and/or Planning

Students interested in human geography and/or planning can select a research topic in land use assessment, urban design, community and regional planning, neighborhood planning, transportation planning, or tourism planning and development. Students should integrate geospatial science with human geography and/or planning when doing either a thesis or non-thesis research project. Students selecting this concentration would normally take at least two of the following courses:

• GRY 610 Tourism and Sustainability
• GRY 625 Environmental Hazards
• GRY 645 Global Environmental Change
• GRY 731 Environmental Assessment
• PLN 673 Urban Design and Preservation
• PLN 674 Open Space and Recreation Planning
• PLN 705 Social Planning
• PLN 670 Planning Law
• PLN 671 Land Use Planning

Geology

Students interested in geology can select a research topic in environmental geochemistry, geohydrology, karst geomorphology, stratigraphy, or geophysics. Students should integrate geospatial science with geology when doing either a thesis or non-thesis research project.

Students selecting this concentration would normally take at least two of the following courses.

• GLG 670 Principles of Stratigraphy
• GLG 681 Geochemical Techniques
• GLG 690 Applied Geophysics
• GLG 672 Geohydrology
• GLG 673 Engineering Geology
• GLG 680 Geochemistry

Students interested in research topics outside of these concentrations should consult with the Graduate Director and a possible advisor before beginning the program.