Geography, M.S.

I. Contact Information

Scott Bassett, Graduate Director Geography
(775) 784-1434
sbassett@unr.edu

Departmental website:
http://www.geography.unr.edu

II. Brief Introduction

The Department of Geography offers a M.S. in Geography. Department faculty promote the integration of physical, human, cultural, and resource geography. The Geography program emphasizes arid lands and landscapes, with a focus on intermountain environments, and specialties in geographic information science, climate, dynamics of past environments, and cultural historical geography. The Department houses the office of the Nevada State Climatologist, the Geographic Alliance in Nevada, the GeoSpatial Laboratory, Laboratory for Conservation Biogeography, 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.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

• Student will maximize their learning experiences by efficiently progressing through the program.
• Students will attain a suitable degree of comfort with advanced-level research in physical, human, or cultural geography.
• Students will demonstrate an advanced level of scholarly research by completing a thesis.
• Students will link their work and educational experiences.

IV. Admission Requirements

For admission to the M.S. program, a baccalaureate degree in Geography or a related discipline is required. Applications for acceptance into the Geography M.S. program are sent to the Graduate School , and must include:

1. a graduate admission application form, including fees;
2. an official copy of GRE scores; and
3. 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. Applicants for the M.S. degree in Geography must satisfy the general admission requirements of the Graduate School.

V. Program Requirements

Candidates for the M.S. in Geography must satisfy the general requirements of the Graduate School. Candidates must select a M.S. graduate committee consisting of at least three members of the graduate faculty, including the Advisor. At least two members represent the area of specialization; one member serves as the Graduate School Representative. Courses should be selected to complement the student’s fields of interest and enhance his/her conceptual and research skills. Two degree plans are available: Plan A (31 credits) includes a thesis on original research; Plan B (36 credits) replaces the thesis with a non-thesis option. Since one credit (GEOG 795) is S/U, no more than 2 other credits with an S/U grade may be used toward the degree. Each candidate for the M.S. in Geography is required to make a formal prospectus presentation to their committee.

VI. Total Units

Plan A (Thesis) 31 units
Plan B (Non-thesis) 36 units

VII. Notes

• Each graduate course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better for the credit to be acceptable toward the degree. Additionally, students in the program must maintain a 3.0 (B) or better cumulative grade point average in all graduate credits attempted at the University.
• Students have up to six (6) years to complete all requirements for their degree. Be advised that the six-year clock starts on the date the earliest course on the program of study was taken, even if that course was taken at another institution. If credits are from another institution, the “Graduate Credit Transfer Evaluation Request” must be filed.