Bulletin--Geography Pgm. Info.

Geography

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Joseph Julian

Department of Geography and Human Environmental Studies
HSS 279
415-338-2049
Chair: Hans Meihoefer

Undergraduate Adviser: Max Kirkeberg
Graduate Coordinator: N. Wilkinson

Faculty
Professors—Crawford, Foster, Hough, Kirkeberg, Meihoefer, Treichel, Westfall

Associate Professor—Wilkinson

Assistant Professors—Davis, Foschi, Holzman

Lecturer—McGee, Small

Programs
B.A. in Geography

Minor in Geography

M.A. in Geography

M.A. in Geography: Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning

Program Scope
The program offers a curriculum focusing on the spatial organization of environment and society and the interrelationships between the two. This includes the physical and cultural patterns and processes on the earth and human impacts on the environment.

The undergraduate major program assures a firm foundation in the discipline, an exposure to the diverse aspects of the field and the opportunity to develop individual interests. Four core courses are required of all majors. In addition, a distribution requirement consists of one upper division course in each of: physical environment, human environment, regional studies, and techniques or applied geography. Three or four upper-division courses focused on a coherent theme are selected by the individual student on advisement.

The internship program supplements the regularly scheduled classes. This program offers a wide range of placements as an optional part of the major. Such experiences entail first-hand application of skills and knowledge gained in the degree program.

The Masters of Arts in Geography is broadly based rather than highly specialized, reflecting the department's interests in persons with a variety of general carreer objectives in such areas as planning, resource management or education as well as those intending to pursue doctoral studies. However, opportunities exist for specialization, particularly in these areas: physical and cultural geography, natural resources and environmental studies, regional geography, urban geography, biogeography and geographic techniques. The Master of Arts in Geography: Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning is designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary to carry out resource assessment, impact analysis, plan formulation, and implementation. It is designed for those seeking advanced training in resource management and environmental planning.

The M.A. program culminates in either a master's thesis or a research project and comprehensive oral examination. The concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning typically culminates in a research project and comprehensive oral examination.

Facilities
Research facilities available to students include access to cartographic, photographic, remote sensing, and GIS laboratories; a map library; and a computer center. The San Francisco Bay Area provides a stimulating and diversified setting for graduate work, especially for persons interested in urban, cultural, or environmental questions. Within the region a wide range of governmental agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit and private organizations have research libraries, associated documents, and experienced personnel helpful in pursuing research topics. Internships are also sponsored in a variety of organizations.

No fellowships are available. Financial aid is limited to university programs such as work study. The department has one or two part-time technical staff positions and occasional graduate research assistant opportunities for graduate students in residence.

Career Outlook
Depending on the specific curriculum each student pursues, the B.A. or M.A. in geography provides excellent preparation for a variety of positions in the public or private sector. Graduates have gone on the work for various recreational, water resource, and coastal resource and planning agencies. In recent years, there has been an increase in job opportunities for geographers. Concern for the environment is leading to increased employment opportunities, and advancements in geographic techniques make students with those skills highly marketable.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GEOGRAPHY

Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Geography discipline in the Announcement of Courses section).

Students are advised that the CR grade is acceptable in any two courses to be counted for the geography major.

Required Core Courses
						Units
GEOG 101	Our Physical Environment	    3
GEOG 102	The Human Environment		    3
GEOG 103	Geographic Techniques		    4
GEOG 690	Proseminar in Geography		    3
		Total for core			   13
Distribution Requirements
(Cross-listed courses originating in other 
departments are not accepted in these categories.)
One course from each of the following four areas:
Physical Environment
	300-numbered courses in Geography 
Human Environment
	400-numbered courses in Geography
Regional Studies
	500-numbered courses in Geography
Either Geographic Techniques
	601-639 numbered courses in Geography
	or Applied Geography
		640-659 numbered courses in 
		Geography 
		Total distribution requirements	12-15
Focus of Interest
Twelve units of upper-division geography 
electives consisting of a minimum of three 
courses chosen on advisement. These courses 
will be organized around coherent themes such 
as those listed below. In addition, alternative 
concentrations tailored to individual student 
interest may be developed in consultation with 
the Geography undergraduate coordinator. On 
advisement appropriate upper-division courses 
from other departments and programs may be 
included.
	Physical Geography
	Cultural Geography
	Techniques of Geographic Analysis
	Urban Environment and Land Use Planning
	Resource Management
	Focused individual interest pursued in 
	consultation with the undergraduate 
	coordinator and focus adviser
		Total for focus			   12
		Total for major			37-40
Foci of Interest
Focus on the Physical Environment

This option offers the chance to focus on the physical environment. Landforms, climate, biogeography, soils, water and the interactions between the physical and human environmental are the foci (312, 314, 316, 317, 647). Appropriate upper-division courses in Geosciences and Biology to supplement these basic courses are recommended on advisement.

Focus on the Cultural Environment

In addition to serving traditional liberal arts eduation, this option permits systematic study within a defined subfield: urban geography (422, 432, 433, 553), cultural geography (445, 455, 551) or a regional specialization (507, 550, 552, 570). appropriate upper-division courses in other departments are recommended to supplement these basic courses.

Focus on Techniques of Geographic Analysis

This specialization offers a pragmatic, career-oriented option focusing on skills acquired in the geography program. The methodology includes cartography (606 607), remote sensing and image analysis (610,611), as well as geographical information systems (620, 621), quantitative geography (605) and field studies (685). On advisement, appropriate upper-division courses in other departments are recommended to supplement these basic courses.

Focus on Urban Environmental and Land-Use Planning

This specialization in environmental and land-use planning offers the student the opportunity to acquire foundation knowledge to prepare for entry level careers and graduate work. Key courses in geography include: 432, 433, 652, 655, and 658. Upper-division courses in the Urban Studies curriculum are particularly appropriate to this option.

Focus on Resource Management

A central theme in geography is our relationship with the physical environment, specifically our use and abuse of natural resources. Courses central to this specialization focus on natural resource assessment, appraisal and management (425, 427, 600, 647, 648). Additional upper-division courses in Geosciences and Biology to supplement these basic courses are recommended on advisement.

Focused individual interests may be pursued in consultation with the Geography major adviser.

MINOR IN GEOGRAPHY

The Geography Minor consists of a core curriculum of three lower division courses plus twelve (12) units of upper division geography electives on advisement. These courses may be organized around coherent themes such as those described for the major. However, groupings of courses specifically appropriate to majors in other departments or programs such as International Relations, Geosciences, or Urban Studies are particularly recommended.

Students are advised the CR grade is acceptable in one course to be counted for the geography minor.

						Units
GEOG 101	Our Physical Environment	 3
GEOG 102	The Human Environment		 3
GEOG 103	Geographic Techniques		 4
Upper division courses on advisement		12
		Total				22

MASTER OF ARTS IN GEOGRAPHY

 Graduate Adviser: Nancy Wilkinson

Admission to the Program
For admission to the graduate program, a student must meet the general university requirements as stated in the Bulletin. For unconditional admission to the M.A. program in geography, a student must have completed an undergraduate major in geography with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major. An applicant with a GPA of 3.25 or better in a major other than geography may qualify for admission as a conditionally classified graduate student. The conditional status is removed upon completion of core degree courses in physical and cultural geography, and geographic techniques, plus two upper division geography courses on advisement, with a grade of "B" or better in each course. Units earned for remedial or prerequisite course work are not applied toward the graduate degree.

In addition to the general application and grade transcripts which are sent to the Admissions Office, the department requires a detailed Statement of Purpose and two letters of recommendation. Personal interviews with the graduate coordinator, the graduate adviser, and appropriate department faculty are recommended.

Written English Proficiency Requirements
Level One: within two semesters of admission to the program, the student must satisfy the university graduate literacy requirement by submitting to the department's Graduate Literacy Committee three copies of a scholarly paper appropriate to the discipline. The committee may accept the paper or require the student to undertake remedial course work which does not appear on the GAP. Level Two: the second-level university graduate literacy requirement is met by satisfactory completion of GEOG 898 or GEOG 895.

Advancement to Candidacy
In addition to fulfilling all university requirements, students must complete the required curriculum outlined below. All graduate seminars and all courses used on the Graduate Approved Program with the exception of 895 and 898 must be taken on a letter grade basis and have earned a B- or better. Not more than three units of Special Study (GEOG 899) and one unit of Special Study (GEOG 699) may be included on the Graduate Approved Program. Internship (688) units do not appear on the Graduate Approved Program. Each student must consult with the appropriate graduate adviser regularly and design an individual program leading towards the culminating experience requirement (thesis or research paper). For advancement to candidacy, the student must select a culminating experience committee comprised of two or three members, at least two or whom must be from the department.

Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Geography discipline in the Announcement of Courses section). Upper-division courses offered by the department may be included with the approval of the graduate advisers. Depending upon a student's background and/or objective, additional courses in geography or related fields may be required on advisement.

Program						Units
GEOG 801	Scope and Method in Geography*	   3
GEOG 810	Seminar in Physical Geography	   3
GEOG 820	Seminar in Cultural Geography	   3
		Total for core			   9
Graduate seminars in Geography from the 
following:					6-12
(A seminar may be repeated for credit provided 
that it covers a different topic area and is 
offered by a different instructor)
	GEOG 815	Seminar in Geographic 
			Techniques
	GEOG 825	Seminar in Economic 
			Geography
	GEOG 832	Seminar in Urban 
			Geography
	GEOG 850	Seminar in Regional 
			Geography
	GEOG 858	Seminar in Environmental 
			and Land Use Planning
Graduate seminars and courses or upper division 
courses in geography or related fields on 
advisement					6-12
One of the following:				   3
	GEOG 895	Research Project and
			Master's Comprehensive 
			Oral Examination 
	GEOG 898	Master's Thesis and 
			Oral Defense of Thesis
		Minimum total			  30
Master's Oral Examination
A two-hour oral examination is required of all students. One hour is devoted to the research topic (GEOG 895) and a second hour focuses on a discussion of six foundation works in the discipline selected on individual advisement. The examination or either of its parts may be repeated only once. Students must have completed all course work prior to taking the oral examination which can be scheduled only during the fall and spring semesters. Examination guidelines are available from the graduate adviser.

*To be taken by the student during the first year after admission to classified graduate standing.

MASTER OF ARTS IN GEOGRAPHY: CONCENTRATION IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING

Graduate Adviser—B. Holzman

Admission to the Program
For admission to the graduate program, a student must meet the general university requirements as stated in the Bulletin. For unconditional admission to the M.A. program in geography, a student must have completed an undergraduate major in geography with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major. An applicant with a GPA of 3.25 or better in a major other than geography may qualify for admission as a conditionally classified graduate student. The conditional status is removed upon completion of core degree courses in physical and cultural geography, and geographic techniques, plus two upper division geography courses on advisement, with a grade of "B" or better in each course. Units earned for remedial or prerequisite course work are not applied toward the graduate degree.

In addition to the general application and grade transcripts which are sent to the Admissions Office, the department requires a detailed Statement of Purpose and two letters of recommendation. Personal interviews with the graduate coordinator, the graduate adviser, and appropriate department faculty are recommended.

Written English Proficiency Requirements
Level One: within two semesters of admission to the program, the student must satisfy the university graduate literacy requirement by submitting to the department's Graduate Literacy Committee three copies of a scholarly paper appropriate to the discipline. The committee may accept the paper or require the student to undertake remedial course work which does not appear on the GAP. Level Two: the second-level university graduate literacy requirement is met by satisfactory completion GEOG 895.

Advancement to Candidacy
In addition to fulfilling all university requirements, students must complete the required curriculum outlined below. All graduate seminars and all courses used on the Graduate Approved Program with the exception of Geography 895 must be taken on a letter grade basis and have earned a B- or better. Not more than three units of Special Study (GEOG 899) and one unit of Special Study (GEOG 699) may be included on the GAP. Internship (688) units do not appear on the GAP. Each student must consult with the appropriate graduate adviser regularly and design an individual program leading towards the culminating experience requirement (thesis or research paper). For advancement to candidacy, the student must select a culminating experience committee comprised of two or three members, at least two or whom must be from the department.

Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Geography discipline in the Announcement of Courses section). Upper division courses offered by the department may be included with the approval of the graduate adviser. Depending upon a student's background and/or objective, additional courses in geography or related field may be required on advisement.

Program						Units
GEOG 751	Environmental Management	   3
GEOG 801	Scope and Method in Geography*	   3
GEOG 810	Seminar in Physical Geography	   3
GEOG 820	Seminar in Cultural Geography	   3
GEOG 751	Environmental Management	   3
Additional graduate courses selected from the 
following on advisement:			 3-7
	GEOG 751	Environmental Management
	GEOG 858	Seminar in Environmental 
			and Land Use Planning
	GEOG 896	Directed Readings in 
			Geography (1-3)
	PA 730		Politics of Policy-making 
			and Implementation (4)
	PA 782		Seminar in Urban Planning 
			and Public Decision-
			Making (4)
Additional graduate seminars or upper division 
courses selected from the following, on 
advisement, with a minimum of one course from 
each category below.				8-12

Category I: Resource Management and 
Environmental Planning
	ECON 550	Economics of Energy 
			and the Environment
	ECON 422	Environmental Perception
	GEOG 427	Agriculture and Food 
			Supply (4)
	GEOG 600	Environmental Problems 
			and Solutions
	GEOG 646	The Geography of Marine 
			Resources (4)
	GEOG 647	Geography of Water 
			Resources (4)
	GEOG 648	Management of National 
			Parks and Natural 
			Areas (4)
	GEOG 651	San Francisco Bay Area 
			Environmental Issues (4)
	GEOG 652	Environmental Impact 
			Analysis (4)
	GEOG 658	Land-Use Planning (4)
	GEOL 474	Engineering Geology and 
			Hydrology or
		GEOL 475	Geohydrology
	H ED 418	Environmental Health

Category II: Techniques
	ANTH 491	Archaeological 
			Methods (4)
	BIOL 845	Ecological Methods
	GEOG 605	Quantitative 
			Geography (4)
	GEOG 610	Remote Sensing of the 
			Environment I (4)
	GEOG 611	Remote Sensing of the 
			Environment II (4)
	GEOG 620	Geographical Informa-
			tion Systems (4)
	GEOG 621	Advanced Geographical 
			Information Systems (4)
	GEOG 685	Field Methods in 
			Geography (4)
GEOG 895	Research Project and 
Comprehensive Oral Examination			   3
		Minimum total**			  30
Master's Oral Examination
A two-hour oral examination is required of all students. One hour is devoted to the research topic (GEOG 895) and a second hour focuses on a discussion of six foundation works in the discipline selected on individual advisement. The examination or either of its parts may be repeated only once. Students must have completed all course work prior to taking the oral examination which can be scheduled only during the fall and spring semesters. Examination guidelines are available from the graduate adviser.

*To be taken by the student during the first year after admission to classified graduate standing.

**Additional courses may be required in Geography or related fields on advisement.

Bulletin 1994-96 Table of Contents, SFSU Home Page

last modified June 13, 1995