Geography, MS

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

The Geography, MS thesis option requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of 5000- and 6000-level courses, with 18 s.h. at the 6000-level. The nonthesis/internship option requires 36 s.h., with 21 s.h. at the 6000-level.

The Geography, MS with a planning concentration and the Professional Science Master’s in Geographic Information Science (GIS) offer only the nonthesis/internship option and require a minimum of 36 s.h. at the 5000- and 6000-levels with a minimum of 21 s.h. at the 6000-level.

The planning concentration offers students both the theoretical background and practical skills and experience applicable to the planning profession at all levels of government and the private sector. The professional science master’s concentration allows students to pursue advanced training in logistics, management information systems, marketing, or public administration while simultaneously developing professional skills valued by employers. The concentration 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 30-36 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. Planning concentration - 15 s.h.

Choose 3 s.h. from the following:

Choose 12 s.h. PLAN electives at the 5000 and 6000 levels

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

GEOG 6400

Choose 12 s.h. from the following:

d. Rural development concentration - 12-15 s.h.

Choose a minimum of 6-9 s.h. of 5000- and 6000-level courses in geography and other departments in an area of specialization

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. Planning concentration

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

c. 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

d. Rural development concentration

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

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. Planning - 3 s.h.

Nonthesis/internship option

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

Note:

Students must present professional report and pass report defense.

c. 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.

d. Rural development - 3-6 s.h.

Thesis option

GEOG 7000 - Thesis

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., present professional report, and pass report defense.