Master of Arts in Geography: Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning

Program Overview

The Master's in Geography with a Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning equips students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in resource management and environmental planning. The program incorporates coursework in environmental economics, land-use planning, natural resource management, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Graduates are prepared for careers in environmental consulting, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Master of Arts in Geography with a Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning is a graduate program designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of resource management and environmental planning.
• Objectives: The program aims to help students:
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of geographic concepts and methods relevant to resource management and environmental planning.
• Master analytical and problem-solving techniques for addressing complex environmental challenges.
• Acquire the ability to design and conduct independent research in resource management and environmental planning.
• Enhance communication skills for effective engagement with stakeholders and professionals in the field.
• Program Description: The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating theoretical frameworks and practical applications in areas such as environmental economics, land-use planning, natural resource management, and geographic information systems (GIS).

Outline:

• Content: The curriculum focuses on topics such as:
• Environmental Impact Analysis
• Resource Management and Conservation
• Environmental Economics
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Field Methods in Human Geography and Environmental Science
• Remote Sensing of the Environment
• Watershed Assessment and Restoration
• Environmental Data Science
• Seminar in Physical Geography
• Seminar in GIScience
• Issues in Marine and Estuarine Conservation
• Global Environmental Policy
• Directed Reading in Geography
• Sustainable Business Management
• Structure: The program requires a minimum of 30 units, including:
• Core Requirements (15-16 units): Compulsory courses covering foundational concepts and methods.
• Graduate Electives (3-6 units): Students can select from a range of elective courses to tailor their specialization.
• Graduate Seminars and Upper-Division Electives (6-8 units): Required seminars and upper-division electives offer in-depth exploration of specific topics.
• Course Schedule: The program is flexible and allows students to take courses at their own pace.
Students must complete all coursework before taking the oral examination, which is available during fall and spring semesters.
• Individual Modules:
• GEOG 701: Field Methods in Human Geography:
This course explores practical methods for conducting fieldwork in human geography, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• GEOG 702: Field Methods in Environmental Science & Physical Geography: This course focuses on fieldwork techniques and methodologies specific to environmental science and physical geography.
• GEOG 704: Environmental Data Science: This course introduces students to data science techniques applied to environmental research and analysis.
• GEOG 705: Geographical Analysis: This course covers advanced analytical methods for examining geographic data, including spatial analysis and statistical modeling.
• GEOG 751: Environmental Management: This course examines principles and practices for managing environmental resources, emphasizing policy and decision-making processes.
• GEOG 801: Scope and Method in Geography: This course explores the history, philosophy, and theoretical foundations of geography.
• GEOG 810: Seminar in Physical Geography: This seminar delves into current research and trends in physical geography.
• GEOG 820: Human and Social Geography: This seminar examines key themes in human and social geography, emphasizing the interaction between people and the environment.
• BUS 857: Business Management, Ecology, and Environmental Leadership: This course explores the intersection of business practices, environmental sustainability, and leadership.
• GEOG 815: Seminar in GIScience: This seminar focuses on advanced applications of GIS for research and planning.
• GEOG 857: Issues in Marine and Estuarine Conservation: This course examines environmental challenges and management strategies related to marine and estuarine ecosystems.
• GEOG 896: Directed Reading in Geography: This course provides opportunities for in-depth study of a specific topic under the guidance of a faculty member.
• IR/GEOG 735: Seminar in Global Environmental Policy: This seminar analyzes global environmental policy issues and their implications.
• ECON 550: Environmental Economics: This course explores economic principles and their application to environmental issues, such as pollution control and natural resource valuation.
• GEOG 427: Agriculture and Food Supply: This course examines the geographic dimensions of agricultural production and food distribution systems.
• GEOG 430: Transforming Food and Agriculture Systems: Local to Global: This course explores contemporary challenges and innovations in food and agriculture systems, focusing on local and global perspectives.
• GEOG 644: Water Quality: This course investigates the factors affecting water quality, including pollution sources and management strategies.
• GEOG 646: The Geography of Marine Resources: This course examines the distribution and utilization of marine resources, including fisheries and offshore energy.
• GEOG 647: Geography of Water Resources: This course focuses on the geographic distribution, management, and conservation of water resources.
• GEOG/USP 652: Environmental Impact Analysis: This course covers methodologies for evaluating the environmental impacts of development projects.
• GEOG/USP 658: Land-Use Planning: This course explores principles and techniques for land-use planning, including zoning, subdivision regulations, and urban design.
• GEOG 342: Surface Water Hydrology: This course introduces hydrological concepts and methods for analyzing surface water systems.
• GEOG 610: Remote Sensing of the Environment I: This course covers fundamental principles and applications of remote sensing for environmental monitoring.
• GEOG/ERTH 642: Watershed Assessment and Restoration: This course examines watershed assessment techniques and restoration strategies for degraded watersheds.
• GEOG/ENVS 657: Natural Resource Management: Biotic Resources: This course focuses on the management of biological resources, including forests, wildlife, and fisheries.
• GEOG 711: Remote Sensing of the Environment II: This course explores advanced remote sensing techniques and applications.
• GEOG 720: Geographical Information Systems: This course covers the theory and practice of GIS, including data acquisition, analysis, and visualization.
• GEOG 721: Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Analysis: This course emphasizes GIS applications for environmental research and planning.
• GEOG 895: Research Project (and Master's Comprehensive Oral Examination): Students conduct an independent research project and present their findings in a written report and oral examination.
• GEOG 898: Master's Thesis (and Oral Defense of Thesis): Students engage in an in-depth research project culminating in a thesis defense.

Assessment:

• Culminating Experience: Students must complete a culminating experience, which can be either a research project (GEOG 895) or a master's thesis (GEOG 898).
• Master's Comprehensive Oral Examination: For the research project option, a two-hour oral examination is required.
The first hour focuses on the research topic, and the second hour involves a discussion of six foundational works in the discipline.
• Oral Defense of Thesis: For the thesis option, a comprehensive oral defense of the thesis is required.
• Research Proposal: Students must present a research proposal to faculty and peers within a semester of filing their Proposal for Culminating Experience.
This ensures that students receive feedback on their research ideas and methodologies.
• Graduate Seminars: Students must earn a B- or better in all graduate seminars and courses used on the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) with the exception of GEOG 895 and GEOG 898.
• Upper-Division Electives: Students must select at least one course from each of the two categories related to Resource Management and Environmental Planning and Techniques.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, fieldwork, independent research, group projects, and case studies.
• Faculty: The program is taught by experienced faculty members with expertise in resource management, environmental planning, and related fields.
• Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes practical applications, real-world problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in:
• Environmental Consulting
• Government Agencies (e.g., environmental protection, natural resource management)
• Non-profit Organizations (e.g., conservation groups, environmental advocacy)
• Urban Planning
• Sustainable Business Development
• Research and Teaching
• Opportunities: The demand for skilled professionals in resource management and environmental planning is growing as societies face increasing environmental challenges.
• Outcomes: Graduates of the program have a strong record of success in securing employment and making meaningful contributions to the field.

Other:

• The program requires students to have a minimum GPA of 3.25 in their undergraduate major or to meet the requirements for conditional admission.
• The program allows students to include upper-division courses offered by the department with the approval of the graduate advisor.
• Depending on the student's background and objectives, additional courses in geography or related fields may be required.
• The program offers a Certificate in Weather Study, which provides specialized training in weather forecasting and analysis.
• The department requires all M.A.
students to present a proposal of their research for the culminating experience to faculty and peers within a semester of filing the Proposal for Culminating Experience.