This 5-year program combines our bachelor of science in Geography with our thesis-based master of science in Geography, providing a fast track to an advanced degree. Intended for the highly motivated, exceptional students with an interest in research, this accelerated program prepares students in human geography, physical geography, and human-environment interactions, while also providing a foundation in the geospatial skills to succeed in private industry, the public sector, education, and many of the other opportunities available to geographers. With the thesis-based master of science degree, students are also ideally prepared for careers in research, including doctoral programs in geography and many other related disciplines.
Application and Eligibility
- Applications to the combined program will be submitted by June 15 after the completion of the student’s junior year, once 90 hours of coursework are completed. Applications submitted after that time will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Students must identify a faculty member from Geography who is willing to serve as the advisor and chair of the thesis committee.
- The bachelor’s and master’s degrees will be conferred concurrently after completion of 150 hours, and satisfying their master’s requirements which include successfully defending their thesis.
- Students not admitted to or wishing to discontinue the graduate portion of the 5-year program will earn their bachelor of science degree in Geography after successfully completing 120 hours of coursework.
Plan of Study Grid | First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| GEOG 201 | Introduction to Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 215 | Geospatial Cornerstone | 1 |
| 1 | 4 |
| |
| Oceanography
and Oceanography Laboratory | |
| Principles of Geology
and Principles of Geology Laboratory | |
| Introductory Biology I | |
| Fundamentals of Chemistry I | |
| College Physics | |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 2 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 17 |
| Spring |
|---|
| GEOG 203 | Planet Earth | 3 |
| GEOG 213 | Planet Earth Lab | 1 |
| MATH 140 | Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| 1 | 4 |
| |
| Weather and Climate
and Weather and Climate Laboratory | |
| Historical Geology | |
| Introductory Biology II | |
| Fundamentals of Chemistry II | |
| College Physics | |
| 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 17 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| GEOG 232 | Cartography and Visualization | 3 |
| MATH 142 | Business Calculus | 3 |
| POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
| STAT 303 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| 4 | 4 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Spring |
|---|
| GEOG 390 | Principles of Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 | 6 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 5 | 9 |
| 4 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 18 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 3 |
| 4 | 13 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| GEOG 450 | Field Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 610 | Geographical Methods and Theory | 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 4 | 6 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| GEOG 440 | History and Nature of Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 611 | Geographical Research Design | 3 |
| GEOG 691 | Research | 2 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 4 | 6 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 17 |
| Fifth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 6 | 9 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 9 |
| Spring |
|---|
| GEOG 691 | Research | 6 |
| 6 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 9 |
| | Total Semester Credit Hours | 150 |
Two courses in the bachelor of science degree plan must be Writing Intensive courses designated by the department in the schedule of classes. Also, International and Cultural Diversity elective (3 hours) and Cultural Discourse (3 hours) must be incorporated into the degree.
The program includes a total of 152 hours, which up to 2 hours may be applied toward both the Bachelor of Science in Geography and the Master of Science in Geography (thesis option).
