GeographyWeb: geog.gmu.edu FacultyProfessors: Gortner (interim chair, Geography; Public and International Affairs), Haack, Haynes (dean, School of Public Policy), Stough (School of Public Policy) Associate professors: Andranikov, Beach, Wong Assistant professors: Parker, Schintler (School of Public Policy) Instructors: Hallden, Pilon Adjuncts: DeCola, Dillon, Hirsch, Michaelson, Mobley, Rennick, Sheers, Shipley, Ward, Wheeler, Young, Zinn Course WorkThis department offers all course work designated GEOG in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog. Undergraduate ProgramsGeography, BAIn addition to the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for a BA degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, candidates for a degree in geography must complete the following: 1. 28 credits in geography with a minimum GPA of 2.000, including:
2. 18 or more credits consisting of an approved double major, disciplinary minor, interdisciplinary minor, or certificate, or any other coherent 18-credit (minimum) package of courses approved by the advisor and the department chair. No more than 7 credits used to meet the requirements in item 1 may be used to meet this requirement. (Some of these courses may fulfill university-wide general education or college-level requirements.) Geography, BSIn addition to the university-wide general education requirements, candidates for a BS degree in geography must complete the following with a minimum GPA of 2.000 for courses that fulfill requirements under 1 and 2. 1. 28 credits in geography, including:
2. 18 or more credit sequence of geographical applications courses, including GEOG 311, 411, 412, 416 or 463, and 6 additional credits of geography electives, which may also include an internship (GEOG 480) approved by the program advisor before enrollment. 3. 25 to 26 credits of required science, mathematics, statistics, and computer science courses, including
Minor in GeographyTo receive a minor in geography, students must complete 18 credits in geography with a minimum GPA of 2.000, distributed as follows:
Minor in Geographic Information SystemsTo receive a minor in geographic information systems (GIS), students must complete 18 to 19 credits in geography beyond the prerequisite of GEOG 102 or 103 with a minimum GPA of 2.000:
With departmental permission, one course with significant GIS content may be substituted for one of the above. For policies governing all minors, see "minors" under "The Undergraduate Academic Program" in the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. Writing-Intensive Requirement The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as writing intensive in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in geography fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GEOG 415. Teacher LicensureStudents who wish to become teachers should consult the Graduate School of Education chapter and attend an information session during their sophomore year. Information Sessions for teacher licensure are offered every month. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or consult the web site at gse.gmu.edu. Graduate ProgramEarth Systems Science, MSThe interdisciplinary master's program in Earth Systems Science (ESS) is offered jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences (Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Department of Geography), and the School of Computational Sciences (SCS). The program addresses the growing national and regional demand for trained professionals in Earth systems science and applications. The degree emphasizes a research-oriented global systems approach to the study of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, including their interrelationships and their interactions with the biosphere. Emphasis is on the observation and quantitative analysis of Earth systems. Students completing the program are qualified to pursue careers that require knowledge of the basics of Earth systems science and the requisite tools. Students are encouraged to undertake either an optional master's thesis for more in-depth studies or a research project. In the latter case, students will have to pass a qualifying exam. Degree RequirementsCandidates must successfully complete 30 credit hours as follows:
Geographic and Cartographic Sciences, MSThe MS in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences provides courses for students interested in the techniques of collection, analysis, and display of spatial data. Students may prepare for careers in geography, GIS and remote sensing, cartography with federal agencies, state and local government agencies, private corporations, and educational institutions. Admission RequirementsIn addition to meeting all admission requirements for graduate study at George Mason, applications to the MS in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences should have a bachelor's degree in geography, cartography, or equivalent. An applicant without an undergraduate degree in geography may be required to take one course in each of the following: physical geography, human geography, and cartography. All applicants must have a course in statistics. The program also requires GRE aptitude scores, three letters of recommendation, transcripts of all college course work, and a statement of interest in the degree. Degree RequirementsStudents must complete 30 graduate credits to include 3 to 6 credits of thesis or 36 graduate credits without a thesis. If the non-thesis option is selected, students are required to pass a comprehensive examination.
Electives should be selected in consultation with an advisor. With departmental approval, up to 9 credits from closely related disciplines may be applied to the degree. |
