Geography
Departmental Website: Geography
07-08
Department Head: Professor Jeffrey P. Osleeb
Professors: Berentsen, E. Cromley, R. Cromley, Hanink, and MacKinnon
Associate Professors: Cooke and Vias
Assistant Professors: Daniels and Trumbull
The Department of Geography offers a program leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. The master’s program provides study of the theory and methods of analysis of human and physical features of the earth’s surface. Students take a small number of core courses in research methods and design, and select an area of specialization for the remainder of their course work. Examples of common specializations include GIScience and computer graphics, geomorphology, environmental management and planning, and urban and regional analysis. Other specializations in areas of the faculty’s expertise are possible. Students, working with their advisors, have a good opportunity to select courses which best fit their intellectual interests and professional needs.
Candidates for the M.A. in Geography may pursue either Plan A, completion of 25 credits of course work (including no more than six credits of independent study/research), at least nine credits of Thesis Research (GRAD 395), and a thesis, including its oral defense; or Plan B, completion of thirty one credits of course work (including no more than six credits of independent study/research), a scholarly research paper, and a comprehensive final examination assessing mastery of the field and the ability to integrate the knowledge acquired. All M.A. students must complete a core curriculum that includes: one methods course, either GEOG 301 (Fundamentals of GIScience) or GEOG 342 (Spatial Data Analysis); GEOG 311 (Research Design); and the one credit Proseminar (GEOG 310). Students with an exceptional background may, with the approval of their advisor, replace the methods course with an alternative advanced methods course.
The Ph.D. in Geography requires a minimum 35 credits of course work (including no more than six credits of independent study/research) beyond the Master’s degree, along with the completion and defense of a dissertation. All Ph.D. students must complete a core curriculum that includes: one methods course, either GEOG 301 (Fundamentals of GIScience) or GEOG 342 (Spatial Data Analysis); GEOG 311 (Research Design); and GEOG 413 (Development of Geographic Thought). Students who obtained their M.A. in Geography at UConn, or those with an exceptional background may, with the approval of their advisor, replace parts of the required core with other Geography or related courses. Other required courses for the Ph.D. include two 400 level Geography seminars (not including GEOG 413), a one-credit teaching practicum course (GEOG 415), a one credit Proseminar course (GEOG 310), at least six credits of course work from a related field outside the department, and at least 15 credits of Dissertation Research (GRAD 495).
As the student completes the required coursework, a general examination with both written and oral sections is administered. Doctoral degree students must also submit and present a dissertation proposal for approval by the department, and defend the finished dissertation in a departmental colloquium.
The Department recommends that applicants for admission to the graduate program have a strong background in Geography or a related discipline. Students must submit GRE scores and international applicants must also supply TOEFL scores.
Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems. The Certificate Program is designed to recognize completion of a focused set of courses for graduate students and other professionals seeking expertise in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS are computer systems for integrating and analyzing spatial data. These systems, and the science behind their development and use, are the topics covered in the required coursework. GIS and related technologies are used in a wide range of applications in the public and private sectors. The elective coursework provides students with the opportunity for graduate study in fields where GIS are used.
The Certificate is earned upon the completion of twelve credits of coursework beyond the B.A. or B.S. degree. Students in the Certificate Program are required to complete Geography 301 and Geography 303, plus additional courses in Geography or a related field. The additional courses must be taken at the graduate (300 or 400) level. A student’s program of study for the Certificate may include only one course numbered Geography 325. Students develop a program of study with the assistance and approval of the Certificate Program Coordinator. To earn the Certificate, a student must pass all courses counted toward the Certificate with a grade of B- or better in each course and an overall GPA for the 12 credits of 3.0 or greater. All coursework for the Certificate must be completed at the University of Connecticut.
Application to the GIS Certificate Program is made through the Graduate School of the University of Connecticut. Students applying for admission to or already enrolled in a graduate degree program in Geography or another field of study at the University of Connecticut may apply for admission to the Certificate Program. Non-degree students may also apply for the program. All students applying for admission to the Certificate Program must have a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts and a personal statement of interest in the program must be submitted with the application. Information on the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems can be obtained from Graduate Certificate Program Coordinator, Department of Geography Unit 4148, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4148.
Special Facilities. The program is supported both by in-house facilities and external contacts. The department maintains a full range of graphics laboratories. These include laboratories equipped with NT workstations, laser printers, plotters, and digitizers as well as regular computer terminals and printers linked to the University’s Computer Center and well equipped microcomputer lab. These facilities are complemented by research and practicum opportunities in a wide range of external agencies with whom collaborative relations have been established by means of the department’s experience with internship programs.
COURSES OF STUDY
Courses designated by the dagger symbol (†) are approved
for Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U) grading.
GEOG 301. Fundamentals of Geographic Information Science
3 credits. Lecture.
An introduction to the theory and methods for representing, acquiring, storing, manipulating, displaying, and analyzing geographic features in relation to the surface of the earth.
GEOG 302. Interactive Cartographics in Geographic Information Systems
3 credits. Lecture.
Interactive programming for the display of spatial data and the design of computer generated maps.
GEOG 303. Application Issues in Geographic Information Systems
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: GEOG 301 or GEOG 246.
The study of operational and management issues in geographic information systems (GIS). Ways in which traditional planning and management theories and techniques can be implemented in GISs are examined. Topics include problems of data exchange standards, implementation of GIS in an institutional setting including benchmarking a GIS, applications of GIS in various fields, social impacts and legal aspects of GIS. Practical work includes analytical exercises using GIS culminating in an application project.
GEOG 310. Geography Proseminar
1 credit. Seminar. Open only to graduate students in Geography.
Presentation by geography faculty of current research topics.
GEOG 311. Research Design
3 credits. Seminar.
A survey of research methods in geography. Topics include spatial sampling, hypothesis construction and testing and geographic modeling.
GEOG 315. Internship in Geography
1-6 credits. Practicum.
A fieldwork internship program under the direction and supervision of the geography staff. Students will be placed in agencies or industries where their academic training will be applied. One 8-hour work day per week (or its equivalent) for the host agency during the course of the semester will be necessary for three academic credits. A written report will be required.
GEOG 325. Special Problems in Geography
1-6 credits. Independent Study.
GEOG 330. Advanved Fluvial Geomorphology
3 credits. Lecture. Not open to students who have passed GEOG 230.
Research methods for analyzing fluvial forms and processes. Theoretical discussion of factors controlling open-channel flow, sediment transport, channel morphology, adjustments of rivers to environmental changes and human impacts. River management and restoration strategies. Requires one weekend field trip.
GEOG 333. Location Analysis
3 credits. Lecture.
Issues and approaches in location analysis. Topics include location theory and models, impacts of locational choice, systems analysis, evaluation of service areas, land use allocation, accessibility and locational conflict. Implications for planning and public policy.
GEOG 334. Regional Development and Policy
3 credits. Seminar. Not open to students who have passed GEOG 388.
A study of theory and practice in regional development and planning. Emphasis on evaluation of regional problems and public policies designed to resolve them, with a primary focus on the United States.
GEOG 335. Transportation Geography
3 credits. Lecture. Open to graduate students in Geography, others with permission.
Discussion of transportation rate establishment, transportation models for predicting transportation flows, the impact of transportation on the location of economic activities and the planning of transportation facilities in cities.
GEOG 337. Economic Geography of Environmental Issues
3 credits. Seminar. Not open to students who have passed GEOG 387.
Seminar on theory and applications of economic geography to environmental issues. Location theories and spatial interaction models are considered from local to international scales of analysis.
GEOG 342. Spatial Data Analysis
3 credits. Seminar.
Univariate statistics focused on the use of spatial statistics, including geostatistics in geographical research. Problems specific to spatial data analysis are addressed.
GEOG 343. Spatial Statistics and Modeling
3 credits. Seminar. Prerequisite: GEOG 342.
Advanced study in the methods and practice of multidimensional statistics and spatial modeling.
GEOG 350. Fundamental Geographic Concepts for Educators
3 credits. Lecture.
Basic geographic concepts critical for effective teaching in the K-12 environment. Development of materials/curricula for the classroom.
GEOG 354. Contemporary Europe: A Geography
3 credits. Lecture.
An introduction to the peoples, countries, and landscapes of Europe (excluding the republics of the former U.S.S.R.). Emphasis on the economic, political, and social forces both maintaining national identities and shaping a united Europe.
GEOG 355. Geography of Latin America
3 credits. Lecture.
Advanced integrative study of physical, historical, social, political and economic geography of Latin America. Particular emphasis on patterns, processes and problems of spatial economic change in the region.
GEOG 374. Planning and Land Use
3 credits. Lecture.
Contrasting approaches to planning, with an emphasis on legal and political issues in communities and organizations.
GEOG 380. Geographical Analysis of Social Issues
3 credits. Seminar.
Focus on geographical perspectives toward research on selected social issues, with an emphasis on methods of behavioral analysis and relevant social geographical concepts such as social space, activity spaces and time-space budgets, and diffusion.
GEOG 382. Computer Applications in Spatial Analysis
3 credits. Lecture.
An advanced seminar in the design of computer programs for solving problems in spatial analysis. Students receive a thorough knowledge of FORTRAN and related graphic subroutine libraries necessary to implement individual projects.
GEOG 383. Advanced Urban Geography
3 credits. . Seminar.
Analysis of social and economic patterns within urban areas, with emphasis on individualized research. The implications for planning are stressed.
GEOG 384. Advanced Economic Geography
3 credits. Seminar.
Problems involved in analyzing spatial variations of selected economic variables. Emphasis on location theory with view toward integrating geographic viewpoint and economic concepts.
GEOG 385. Advanced Physical Geography
3 credits. Seminar.
Problems involving the application of physical processes in our changing environment.
GEOG 387. Advanced Environmental Restoration
3 credits. Seminar.
Research issues relating to restoration of natural environments including rivers, wetlands, coastal areas, grasslands and forests. Theoretical discussions of restoration ecology, as well as applied discussions of management and engineering concerns. History of environmental restoration; relevant policy debates; specific case studies of river, wetland, coastal, grassland, and forest restoration.
†GRAD 395. Master’s Thesis Research
1 - 9 credits.
†GRAD 396. Full-Time Master’s Research
3 credits.
†GRAD 397. Full-Time Directed Studies (Master’s Level)
3 credits.
GRAD 398. Special Readings (Master’s)
Non-credit.
GRAD 399. Thesis Preparation
Non-credit.
GEOG 401. Locational Models and Spatial Systems
3 credits. Seminar.
Study of the locational models used to examine the arrangement of human and physical systems in space.
GEOG 402. Locational Methods and Spatial Systems
3 credits. Seminar.
Study of the locational methods used to examine the arrangement of human and physical systems in space.
GEOG 403. Advanced Topics in Spatial Analysis
3 credits. Seminar.
GEOG 404. Advanced Topics in Regional Analysis
3 credits. Seminar.
GEOG 405. Advanced Topics in Population Geography
3 credits. Seminar.
GEOG 406. Advanced Topics in Urban Geography
3 credits. Seminar.
GEOG 407. Advanced Topics in Geography of Public Policy
3 credits. Seminar.
GEOG 408. Advanced Topics in Economic Geography
3 credits. Seminar.
GEOG 409. Advanced Topics in Physical Geography
3 credits. Seminar.
GEOG 410. Advanced Topics in Environmental Geography
3 credits. Seminar.
GEOG 413. Themes in Geographic Thought
3 credits. Seminar.
Examination of the historical development of geography since the early nineteenth century. Emphasis on the last century of intellectual developments that have led to the emergence of contemporary geography as a research discipline.
†GEOG 415. Practicum in College Teaching in Geography
1 credit. Practicum. Prerequisite: Graduate status in Geography.
Guided development of college-level instruction. Drafting of course objectives, selection of texts, development of course and lecture outlines, selection of grading mechanisms, and incorporating feedback for improvement of instruction.
†GRAD 495. Doctoral Dissertation Research
1 - 9 credits.
†GRAD 496. Full-Time Doctoral Research
3 credits.
†GRAD 497. Full-Time Directed Studies (Doctoral Level)
3 credits.
GRAD 498. Special Readings (Doctoral)
Non-credit.
GRAD 499. Dissertation Preparation
Non-credit.