Geography, MS

Program Coordinator: Anuradha Mukherji (211-A Brewster Building; 252-328-5357; mukherjia@ecu.edu)

The Geography, MS offers two concentrations - Geography and a Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Geographic Information Science (GIS). Students may choose either a thesis or nonthesis/internship option in the geography concentration. The PSM GIS area of study offers only the nonthesis/internship option.

The Professional Science Master’s in GIS allows students to pursue advanced training in logistics, management information systems, marketing, or public administration while simultaneously developing professional skills valued by employers and is modeled on recommendations by the National Professional Science Master’s Association (NPSMA).

There are several major areas of study in the department from which students can choose: environmental, human, atmospheric science, and geospatial techniques.

Minimum degree requirement is 30 s.h. or 36 s.h. as follows:

1. Core - 6 s.h.

2. Research skills - 3 s.h.

(Choose a research skills/methods course related to the major area of study and intended research.)

ANTH 5015 - Advanced Ethnographic Methods and Theory
GEOG 6150 - Quantitative Methods in Geography
GEOG 6160 - Field Geography
HIST 5960 - Introduction to Oral History
Other course selected in consultation with advisor.

3. Concentrations - 6-15 s.h.

(Choose one.)

a. Geography concentration - 6-12 s.h.

Thesis option (6 s.h.)

Choose a minimum of 6 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- and 6000-levels. Students are encouraged to take at least one course outside their selected major area of study. Courses in other departments may be selected in consultation with student’s advisor.

Nonthesis/internship option (12 s.h.)

Choose a minimum of 12 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- and 6000-levels in the major field areas. Students are encouraged to take at least one course outside their selected major area of study. Courses in other departments may be selected in consultation with student’s advisor.

b. Professional science master’s in geographic information science concentration - 15 s.h.

GEOG 6400

Choose 12 s.h. from the following:

4. Electives - 9 s.h.

(Choose electives according to concentration area.)

a. Geography concentration

Choose a minimum of 9 s.h. in the major area of study at the 5000- or 6000-levels.

b. Professional science master’s in geographic information science concentration

Choose a minimum of 9 s.h. of courses in one of the following: logistics, management information systems, marketing, or public administration.

Logistics

Managment information systems

Marketing

Public administration

5. Thesis or nonthesis/internship option - 3-6 s.h.

a. Geography - 3-6 s.h.

Thesis option

GEOG 7000 - Thesis (3-6 s.h.)

Note:

Students must pass the thesis defense.

Nonthesis/internship option

Note:

Students must complete internship for minimum of 3 s.h. or maximum of 6 s.h. Students must present professional report and pass report defense.

b. Professional science master’s in geographic information science - 3 s.h.

Nonthesis/internship option

(Choose 3 s.h. from the following.)

Note:

Students must present professional report and pass report defense.

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. This program requires the following:

Geography concentration:
- Thesis option: Successful completion of the thesis (GEOG 7000) and oral defense of thesis
- Nonthesis/Internship option: Successful presentation of a professional report and defense of report
Professional science master’s in geographic information sciences concentration: Successful presentation of a professional report and defense of report