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Updated February 06, 2015

Geography & Environment

 

College of Science and Engineering

Dean: Keith Bowman

 

Department of Geography & Environment

HSS 279
415-338-2049
Website: http://geog.sfsu.edu/

Chair: Jerry Davis
Undergraduate Advisors: Blecha, Donovan, Guo, Holzman, Liu
Graduate Coordinator: Wilkinson
M.A. Graduate Advisors: Henderson, Oliphant, Wilkinson
M.S. Graduate Advisors: Blesius, Davis, Hines, Liu

 

Faculty

Professors: Davis, Henderson, Hines, Holzman, Oliphant, Wilkinson
Associate Professors: Blesius, Chitewere, Guo, Liu
Assistant Professors: Blecha, Donovan, Nanus
Adjunct Faculty: Menning, Vance

 

Program

B.A. in Geography

B.S. In Environmental Science

Minor in Geography

M.A. in Geography

M.S. in Geographic Information Science

 

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Program Scope

Geographers study physical and biological environments, human societies and their interactions across space and time, utilizing both natural science and social science perspectives. We seek to analyze the processes, spatial patterns and consequences of human-environment interaction. We use maps, fieldwork and geospatial technologies such as GIS to solve real-world problems at all spatial scales, from local to global.

 

The undergraduate major core courses introduce foundation concepts in physical and human geography, as well as geographic techniques. An upper division distribution requirement gives students more focused work in physical environment, human geography, regional geography and applied geography or geographic techniques. Each student also develops a focus of interest based upon 12 units of upper division course work related to a coherent theme.

 

The internship program supplements the scheduled classes and offers a wide range of opportunities for placement in the public or private sector. Internships entail first-hand application of skills and knowledge gained in the course work.

 

The Master of Arts in Geography is designed for individuals pursuing careers in environmental planning, monitoring and advocacy; in resource management; in geographic techniques; in community college teaching; or for individuals preparing for doctoral work in geography. The graduate curriculum ensures all students have grounding in both physical and human geography and offers opportunities for specialization in physical geography, natural resource management, environmental studies, regional geography and techniques. The Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning provides the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out impact analysis, plan formulation and implementation.

 

The Master of Science in Geographical Information Science (GISci) program prepares graduate students for advanced careers in a wide range of geospatial information research and applications. Geographic information science encompasses the development, use, and applications of geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, remote sensing, global positioning systems (GPS), and spatial statistics. A student completing this program will be prepared to take on advanced technical and leadership roles in environmental and resource agencies and firms employing GIS, remote sensing and other geospatial technologies.

 

The M.A. and M.S. programs culminate in either a master's thesis or a research project and comprehensive oral examination.

 

Facilities

Research facilities available to students include a geographic analysis lab, a physical geography lab, a map library, campus computer laboratories, and a library. SF State’s Institute for Geographic Information Science provides further resources and research opportunities. The department maintains licenses for industry-standard software such as ArcGIS, ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, E-cognition, QT Modeler, PhotoScan, Trimble, and other geospatial software. Field equipment available for use includes field surveying equipment, GPS receivers, meteorological instrumentation and equipment for field analysis of soils, plant communities, water quality and landforms. The San Francisco Bay Area provides a stimulating and diversified setting for graduate work, especially for individuals 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, data archives and experienced personnel helpful in pursuing research topics. Internships (paid and unpaid) are also available with a variety of organizations.

 

No fellowships are available to incoming graduate students. Financial aid is limited to university programs such as work-study. The department occasionally offers technical positions and graduate assistant opportunities to graduate students in residence and occasionally funding is available from external grants.

 

Career Outlook

The undergraduate and graduate degrees offered by the Department of Geography & Environment provide excellent preparation for a variety of positions in the public or private sector. Graduates find challenging and interesting careers in environmental and planning agencies at the state and local level, environmental consulting and cartographic firms, and nonprofit organizations, as well as in community college teaching. A growing demand for students trained in GIS and environmental management make geography students with appropriate skills highly marketable.

 

Undergraduate Advisors: Jennifer Blecha, Courtney Donovan, Qian Guo, Barbara Holzman, XiaoHang Liu

 

All Bachelor of Arts students must complete twelve units of complementary studies in courses outside the primary prefix for the major, and not cross-listed with the primary prefix for the major. Students who complete two majors or a major and a minor automatically complete the complementary studies requirement.

 

An additional way to satisfy the complementary studies requirement for students in the geography major is to meet with an advisor to identify courses other than GEOG, and not cross-listed with GEOG, that would serve to complement each student’s area of interest. Four units from complementary studies will also double-count toward units in the major.

 

Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a major advisor about how transfer units and/or SF State units can best be applied to this requirement in order to ensure degree completion within 60 units.

 

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

 

Geography (B.A.) — 39 - 42 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Note: A minimum of 40 upper division units must be completed for the degree (including upper division units required for the major, general education, electives, etc.). A student can complete this major yet not attain the necessary number of upper division units required for graduation. In this case additional upper division courses will be needed to reach the required total.

 

Foci of Interest

Focus on Human Geography

In addition to serving traditional liberal arts education, this option permits systematic study within cultural geography: GEOG 422, 423, 425, 427, 430, 432, 434, 445, 454, 455 and a 500-level course.

 

Focus on Environmental Studies

This focus provides students with an opportunity to learn about environmental processes and issues arising from human activities on our planet. GEOG 600 is a required course. GEOG 316, 317, 422, 427, 642, 647, 651, 652, 657, 666, 667, and 668 are among those recommended. Supplementary courses in Environmental Studies are also recommended on advisement.

 

Focus on the Physical Environment

This focus offers a chance to study physical patterns and processes involving landforms, climate, biogeography, soils, and water. Courses central to the specialization include GEOG 312, 313, 314, 316, and 317; supporting courses include GEOG 602, 642, 647, and 657. Supplementary courses in Earth & Climate Sciences and Biology are recommended on advisement.

 

Focus on Resource Management

A central theme in geography is the use and abuse of natural resources. Courses central to this specialization include GEOG 317, 425, 427, 600, 602, 603, 610, 611, 642, 647, 657, and 666. Supplementary courses in Earth & Climate Sciences and Biology are recommended on advisement.

 

Focus on Techniques of Geographic Analysis

This option concentrates on the technical skills of data acquisition in the field (GEOG 601, 602), data analysis in the lab, such as remote sensing (GEOG 610, 611), and Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 603, 620, 621, 625, 629), and data display in cartography (GEOG 606). An internship (GEOG 688) is strongly recommended.

 

Focus on Urban Environment, Transportation and Land Use

This specialization offers an opportunity to acquire foundation knowledge to prepare for entry level careers and graduate work. Key courses include GEOG 422, 423, 425, 427, 432, 433, 434, 435, 455, 601, 603, 651, 652, 658, 666, and 667. Upper division courses in Urban Studies are particularly appropriate as well.

 

Focused individual interests may be pursued in consultation with a geography major advisor. GEOG 603 and 688 are highly recommended.

 

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is designed for students intending to prepare for graduate school or for direct entry into a career as an environmental scientist or environmental manager in industry or government. Entry to the major presupposes prior course work comprising the high school equivalents of two years of algebra, one year of plane geometry, one-half year of trigonometry, one year of biology, and one year of physics and/or chemistry.

 

The Environmental Science curriculum comprises a core providing a foundation of science and methods courses—introductory earth systems and environmental science, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics – as well as distributed electives in environmental science, environmental management and analytical methods, and a capstone proseminar. GEOG 205 Geographic Techniques provides introductory research design, statistical and geospatial methods. Geospatial methods are then further developed in GEOG 603 Introduction to GIS, which is a prerequisite for all advanced GIS classes. The GWAR course (GEOG 500 GW Physical and Human Dimensions of Climate Change) focuses on the physical and human dimensions of climate change, providing a rich source of topics for composition at the upper division level.

 

Student progress toward the degree is aided in that some of these core classes also meet lower-division general education requirements. Students will complete their entire Area B, Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning in GEOG 101 (Area B1 Physical Science), GEOG 160 (Area B2 Life Science), GEOG 160 lab (Area B3 Laboratory Science), and MATH 226 (Area B4 Quantitative Reasoning). They will also complete three units toward their Area D Social Sciences requirement in GEOG 102.

 

Electives are distributed into three areas: (1) Environmental Science, including investigations of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, pedosphere (soils), environmental chemistry, and the biosphere; (2) Environmental Management of managed lands and waters, natural resources, threatened species and livable environment; and (3) Analytical Methods, including geographic information science, statistical analysis, and field-based environmental analysis methods.

 

Through choices in each area, students can tailor their program in a variety of ways, to focus on water, soils and agriculture, biotic systems, restoration science, coastal systems, bioclimatology, pollution management, protected land management, water resources management, or others. The culminating experience course, GEOG 690, provides the choice of either doing an internship or a research project, and will also prepare students for careers, including guest lectures by former students working in agencies.

 

Environmental Science (B.S.) — 68 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Minor Advisor: Jennifer Blecha, Tendai Chitewere, XiaoHang Liu

 

The geography minor consists of a core curriculum of three lower division courses plus 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 Biology, Environmental Studies, International Relations, Earth & Climate Sciences, or Urban Studies and Planning are particularly recommended.

 

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

 

Geography, Minor — 21 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Master of Arts in Geography

Graduate Advisors: Jason Henderson, Andrew Oliphant, 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 that are sent to the graduate studies office, the department requires a detailed Statement of Purpose, GRE scores and two letters of recommendation. Check the department website for details on how to apply to the program; materials must be submitted in one packet. Personal interviews with the graduate advisors and appropriate department faculty are recommended.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirements

The University has a requirement for written English proficiency that is to be assessed at two different levels.

 

Level One: A score of 4.0 or better on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE is taken as an indication of Level One writing proficiency. Any student whose GRE AW is 3.5 or lower is required to undertake remedial course work which does not appear on the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC).

Level Two: Satisfactory completion of GEOG 895 or GEOG 898.

 

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 Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) with the exception of GEOG 895 and GEOG 898 must be taken on a letter grade basis and have earned a B- or better. Not more than 3 units of independent study (GEOG 899) and 1 unit of independent study (GEOG 699) may be included on the ATC. Internship (GEOG 688) units do not appear on the ATC. Each student must consult with the appropriate graduate advisor 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 of whom must be from the department, and present a research proposal to department faculty. Note that culminating experience committee members may have specific requirements for methodological background courses (e.g. the choice of GEOG 705, 701 or 702), so this should be considered when planning your course schedules.

 

Upper division courses offered by the department may be included with the approval of the graduate advisor. Depending upon a student's background and/or objective, additional courses in geography or related fields may be required on advisement.

 

Geography (M.A.) — Minimum 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

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 advisor.

 

Research Proposal. The department requires all M.A. students to present a proposal of their research for culminating experience to faculty and peers within a semester of filing the Proposal for Culminating Experience. The object is to provide students with useful feedback in the critical developmental stage of the research experience. Students present a twenty minute synopsis of their research ideas to faculty and fellow graduate students focusing particularly on linking the research to a broader theoretical framework and presenting a methodology design to achieve the specifically stated objectives. This is followed by twenty minutes (maximum) for questions and comments. Proposal presentations are scheduled as needed.

 

Master of Arts in Geography: Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning

Graduate Advisor: 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 graduate admissions office, the department requires a detailed Statement of Purpose, GRE scores, and two letters of recommendation. Check the department website for details on how to apply to the department; materials must be submitted in one packet. Personal interviews with the graduate advisors, and appropriate department faculty are recommended.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirements

The University has a requirement for written English proficiency that is to be assessed at two different levels.

Level One: A score of 4.0 or better on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE is taken as an indication of Level One writing proficiency. Any student whose GRE AW is 3.5 or lower is required to undertake remedial course work, which does not appear on the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC).

Level Two: Satisfactory completion of GEOG 895 or GEOG 898.

 

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 Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) with the exception of GEOG 895 and GEOG 898 must be taken on a letter grade basis and have earned a B- or better. Not more than 3 units of Special Study (GEOG 899) and 1 unit of Special Study (GEOG 699) may be included on the ATC. Internship (GEOG 688) units do not appear on the ATC. Each student must consult with the appropriate graduate advisor 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 of whom must be from the department, and present a research proposal to the department faculty. Note that culminating experience committee members may have specific requirements for methodological background courses (e.g. the choice of GEOG 705, 701 or 702), so this should be considered when planning your course schedules.

 

Upper division courses offered by the department may be included with the approval of the graduate advisor. Depending upon a student's background and/or objective, additional courses in geography or related fields may be required on advisement.

 

Geography (M.A.): Concentration in Resource Management and Environmental Planning — Minimum 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

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 advisor.

 

Research Proposal. The department requires all M.A. students to present a proposal of their research for culminating experience to faculty and peers within a semester of filing the Proposal for Culminating Experience. The object is to provide students with useful feedback in the critical developmental stage of the research experience. Students present a twenty minute synopsis of their research ideas to faculty and fellow graduate students focusing particularly on linking the research to a broader theoretical framework and presenting a methodology design to achieve the specifically stated objectives. This is followed by twenty minutes (maximum) for questions and comments. Proposal presentations are scheduled as needed.

 

Graduate Advisors: Leonhard Blesius, Jerry Davis, Ellen Hines, XiaoHang Liu

 

Admission to the Program

For admission to the graduate program, a student must meet the general University requirements as stated in the Bulletin. An applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.25 or better in geography or a related discipline, with emphasis or experience in spatial data analysis, and have earned a grade of B or better in GEOG 603, or equivalent.

 

In addition to the general application and grade transcripts which are sent to the Graduate Studies Office, the department requires applicants to submit a detailed Statement of Purpose, GRE scores and two letters of recommendation. Check the department website for details on how to apply to the department; materials must be submitted in one packet. Personal interviews with the graduate advisors and appropriate department faculty are recommended.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirements

The University has a requirement for written English proficiency that is to be assessed at two different levels.

Level One: A score of 4.0 or better on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE is taken as an indication of Level One writing proficiency. Any student whose GRE AW is 3.5 or lower is required to undertake remedial course work, which does not appear on the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC).

Level Two: Satisfactory completion of GEOG 895 or GEOG 898.

 

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 Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) with the exception of Geography 895 and 898 must be taken on a letter grade basis and have earned a B- or better. Not more than 3 units of Special Study (GEOG 899) and 1 unit of Special Study (GEOG 699) may be included on the ATC. Each student must consult with their graduate advisor 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 of whom must be full-time faculty in geography at SF State, and must present a research proposal to the department.

 

Upper division courses offered by the department may be included with the approval of the graduate advisor. Depending upon a student's background and/or objective, additional courses in geography or a related field may be required on advisement. Note: A maximum of 30% undergraduate-only courses may be used in a graduate program.

 

Geographic Information Science (M.S.) — Minimum 30 - 34 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Comprehensive Oral Examination (GEOG 895). A two-hour oral examination is required of all students using this option. One hour is devoted to the research topic (GEOG 895) and a second hour of comprehensive oral examination on the theory and applications of GIScience. 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 advisor.

 

Research Proposal. The department requires all graduate students to present a proposal of their research for culminating experience to faculty and peers within a semester of filing the Proposal for Culminating Experience. The object is to provide students with useful feedback in the critical developmental stage of the research experience. Students present a twenty minute synopsis of their research ideas to faculty and fellow graduate students focusing particularly on linking the research to a broader theoretical framework and presenting a methodology design to achieve the specifically stated objectives. This is followed by twenty minutes (maximum) for questions and comments. Proposal presentations are scheduled as needed.

 

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Footnotes

1. To be taken by the student during the first year after admission to classified graduate status.