M.S. Geography

The MS program requires 36 credit hours and completion of a project, or portfolio. Students wishing to complete a thesis should consult their advisor.
The program typically requires two years of full-time study, although students can pursue the degree on a part-time basis. A minimum B grade is required in each course applied toward the program requirements.
Throughout their studies, students work closely with their advisor to select appropriate courses. All MS students will follow the requirements outlined for their specific track.
High value benefits: regular meetings with faculty advisor as needed, affordable tuition, strong graduate students.

Students are able to earn an M.S. degree in Geography with specialization in Environmental and Earth System Science after completing 36 credits of graduate coursework and submitting a master's thesis, project, portfolio, or comprehensive exam (currently unavailable). This concentration requires a minimum of three courses in analytical and quantitative Earth surface processes. Courses applied toward M.S. Program core requirements cannot be counted toward the Track electives.

I. Required Courses

Choose one option:

Option 1: GEO 500 Introduction to Graduate Geography

GEO 501 Research Design

GEO 506* Introduction to GIS or equivalent

GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography

(Note: GEO 505 Univariate Statistics is a prerequisite)

Option 2: GEO 504 Geography Seminar

One (1) GEO methods course (TBD)

GEO 506* Introduction to GIS or equivalent

GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography

(Note: GEO 505 Univariate Statistics is a prerequisite)

II. Elective Courses: Statistics and Quantitative Methods

One of the following:

GEO 502 Survey Research Methods

GEO 577 Environmental Statistics

GEO 597 Geostatistics

GEO 605 Spatial Statistics

OR approved graduate level biostatistics (STA) or econometrics (ECO) course (prior approval from student's adviser required)

III. Elective Courses: Geographic Information Science

(Note: GEO 506 is a prerequisite for some of these courses)

Two of the following:

GEO 507 Locational Analysis

GEO 551 Cartography and Geographic Visualization

GEO 553 Remote Sensing

GEO 555 GIS Algorithms and Data Structures

GEO 556 GIS Design

GEO 559 GIS and Environmental Modeling

GEO 593 Dynamic Modeling

OR any graduate level geography (GEO) course approved by the student's adviser

IV. Elective Courses: Computer Programming Course

One approved graduate-level computer programming course from the Geography or Computer Science and Engineering Department (prior approval from student's adviser is required)

CSE 503 Computer Science for Non Majors

GEO 503 Geography Seminar that satisfies programming

GEO 514 GIS and Machine Learning

GEO 555 GIS Algorithm & Data Structures

V. Elective Courses: Environmental and Earth Systems Science

Three or more of the following:

GEO 503 Geography Seminar related to track

GEO 515 Conservation Biogeography

GEO 545 Restoration Ecology

GEO 548 Stream Restoration

GEO 549 Fluvial Geomorphology

GEO 559 GIS and Environmental Modeling

GEO 561 Ecohydrology

GEO 570 Integrated Environmental Management

GEO 575 GIS Data Science Project Management

OR a Graduate level Geography course approved by the students advisor.

ONE approved graduate elective course in Geology, Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, or Computer Science and Engineering is allowed

VI. Tutorial Courses

GEO 534 Graduate Research Problems (Independent Study)

GEO 631 Research Guidance -used while working on thesis/project/portfolio

GEO 742 Geography Internship

* May be waived from GEO 506 on a case-by-case basis with appropriate prior undergraduate training at the discretion of the DGS or Chair

Students are able to earn an M.S. degree in Geography with specialization in Economic Geography & Business Geographics after completing 36 credits of graduate coursework and submitting a master's thesis, project, portfolio, or comprehensive exam (currently unavailable). Courses applied toward M.S. Program core requirements cannot be counted toward the Track electives.

I. Required Courses

Choose one option:

Option 1: GEO 500 Introduction to Graduate Geography

GEO 501 Research Design

GEO 506* Introduction to GIS or equivalent

GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography

(Note: GEO 505 Univariate Statistics is a prerequisite)

Option 2: GEO 504 Geography Seminar

One (1) GEO methods course (TBD)

GEO 506* Introduction to GIS or equivalent

GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography

(Note: GEO 505 Univariate Statistics is a prerequisite)

ONE Statistics and Quantitative Methods from the following:

GEO 502 Survey Research Methods

GEO 577 Environmental Statistics

GEO 597 Geostatistics

GEO 605 Spatial Statistics

OR approved graduate level biostatistics (STA) or econometrics (ECO) course (prior approval from student's advisor required)

TWO Geographic Information Science courses from the following:

(Note: GEO 506 is a prerequisite for some of these courses)

GEO 507 Locational Analysis

GEO 551 Cartography and Geographic Visualization

GEO 553 Remote Sensing

GEO 555 GIS Algorithms and Data Structures

GEO 556 GIS Design

GEO 593 Dynamic Modeling

OR graduate level Geography (GEO) course with advisor approval

ONE Computer Programming Course

One graduate-level computer programming course from the Geography or Computer Science and Engineering Department. Advisor approval required.

CSE 503 Computer Science for Non Majors

GEO 503 Geography Seminar that satisfies programming

GEO 514 GIS and Machine Learning

GEO 555 GIS Algorithm & Data Structures

THREE Economic Geography and Business Geographics elective courses from the following:

GEO 507 Locational Analysis

GEO 518 Population Geography

GEO 519 Transportation

GEO 530 Urban Geography

GEO 605 Spatial Statistics

GEO 625 Global Business Landscapes

GEO 640 Asia Pacific Business

An appropriate graduate-level geography (GEO) course with advisor approval

Tutorial Courses or additional approved electives to bring your total credit hours to 36.

GEO 534 Graduate Research Problems (Independent Study)

GEO 631 Research Guidance (used while working on your project/portfolio/thesis)

GEO 742 Geography Internship

* May be waived from GEO 506 on a case-by-case basis with appropriate prior undergraduate training at the discretion of the DGS or Chair

Students are able to earn an M.S. degree in Geography with specialization in Health Geography after completing 36 credits of graduate coursework and submitting a master's thesis, project, portfolio, or comprehensive exam (currently unavailable). Courses applied toward M.S. Program core requirements cannot be counted toward the Track electives.

I. Required Courses

Choose one option:

Option 1: GEO 500 Introduction to Graduate Geography

GEO 501 Research Design

GEO 506* Introduction to GIS or equivalent

GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography

(Note: GEO 505 Univariate Statistics is a prerequisite)

Option 2: GEO 504 Geography Seminar

One (1) GEO methods course (TBD)

GEO 506* Introduction to GIS or equivalent

GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography

(Note: GEO 505 Univariate Statistics is a prerequisite)

II. Elective Courses: Statistics and Quantitative Methods

One of the following:

GEO 502 Survey Research Methods

GEO 577 Environmental Statistics

GEO 597 Geostatistics

GEO 605 Spatial Statistics

OR graduate level biostatistics (STA) or econometrics (ECO) course..Advisor approval is required.

III. Elective Courses: Geographic Information Science

(Note: GEO 506 is a prerequisite for some of these courses)

Two of the following:

GEO 507 Locational Analysis

GEO 551 Cartography and Geographic Visualization

GEO 553 Remote Sensing

GEO 555 GIS Algorithms and Data Structures

GEO 556 GIS Design

GEO 593 Dynamic Modeling

OR graduate level geography (GEO) course approved by advisor

IV. Elective Courses: Computer Programming Course

One graduate-level computer programming course from the Geography or Computer Science and Engineering Department. Advisor approval required.

CSE 503 Computer Science for Non Majors

GEO 503 Geography Seminar that satisfies programming

GEO 514 GIS and Machine Learning

GEO 555 GIS Algorithm & Data Structures

V. Elective Courses: Health Geography

Three or more of the following:

GEO 503 Geography Seminar related to track

GEO 507 Locational Analysis

GEO 512 Geography of Health

GEO 518 Population Geography

GEO 591 Introduction to GIScience

GEO 605 Spatial Statistics

And/or appropriate graduate-level geography (GEO) course approved by adviser

VI. Tutorial Courses

GEO 534 Graduate Research Problems (Independent Study)

GEO 631 Research Guidance (used while working on your project/portfolio/thesis)

GEO 742 Geography Internship

* May be waived from GEO 506 on a case-by-case basis with appropriate prior undergraduate training at the discretion of the DGS or Chair

For more information on this graduate program, please send an email with your request to geog@buffalo.edu

M.S. Geography

Earth Systems Science

Economic Geography and Business Geographics

Health Geography

Department of Geography