The Department of Geography offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Geography. Department faculty members promote the integration of physical, human, cultural, and resource geography. The Department houses the office of the Nevada State Climatologist, the Geographic Alliance in Nevada, a geospatial and two physical geography laboratories, one for Palynology, the other for Dendrochronology. The Department has facilities for computer mapping and Geographic Information Systems. Students should read the Graduate School section of the catalog and contact the Department for additional information.
Applications for acceptance into the Geography graduate programs are sent to the Graduate School, and must include: (a) a graduate admission application form, including fees; (b) an official copy of GRE scores; and (c) official college transcripts. Applicants must also send to the department a statement of purpose and goals and three recommendation letters. Applications received in full by February 1st will be considered for the Fall semester.
Candidates for the Master of Science degree in Geography must satisfy the general requirements of the Graduate School. Two degree plans are available: Plan A (31 credit) includes a thesis on original research; Plan B (36 credits) replaces the thesis with a professional paper. The student advisor is always the Committee Chair and a full-time Geography faculty member.