The Master of Arts in Geography

Admission to the Master of Arts in Geography is currently suspended. Please contact the Geography and Planning Department for more information.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 6 semesters units of special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework may be counted toward the degree requirements.  This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through the Center for Regional and Continuing Education.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Geography master's degree students are required to maintain "normal progress" toward the degree. "Normal progress" is defined as advancing to classified status by the end of the first year in the program (unless qualifying courses must be completed) and advancing to candidacy by the end of the second year in the program. The department requires that all students finish their degree program by the end of the fifth year in the program. Extensions of this five-year period will be granted only under exceptional circumstances. At the end of each academic year, the department's Graduate Studies Committee will evaluate student progress and assign normal status, probationary status, or dismiss the student from the program.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in "Admission to Master's Degree Programs" in the University Catalog . Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are normally not admitted.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Studies.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. Appropriate academic preparation for the Option in Geography is a major or minor in geography; appropriate academic preparation for the Option in Environmental Policy and Planning is a major or minor in planning. All students who have not completed the transfer equivalent of GEOG 315, Spatial Analysis, must take this course in addition to the 30 units required for the degree.

Students not holding acceptable degrees are required to complete the 9 units of qualifying course work described below. Students holding acceptable degrees but lacking specific courses are required to complete qualifying course work. Qualifying course work shall not be counted as units toward the master's degree.

4. Two letters of recommendation.

5. A Statement of Purpose that designates an area of specialization and indicates which faculty members' interests best match the student's interests. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.

6. Samples of the applicant's written work.

7. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants with a GRE Aptitude Test score (combined verbal and quantitative) of less than 1000 are normally not admitted.

8. For the Option in Geography only:

Students without an undergraduate major or minor in geography must complete the following 9 units of qualifying course work with a minimum grade of B in each course. All qualifying courses must be completed before a student will be considered for candidate status. None of these qualifying units will be counted toward the master's degree. The preparatory courses include:

3 units of Physical Geography at the 300/400-level;

3 units of Human Geography at the 300/400-level;

3 units of Techniques in Geography at the 300/400-level.

The Graduate Coordinator will determine the equivalency of undergraduate courses.

9. For Option in Environmental Policy and Planning only:

Students without an undergraduate major or minor in planning must complete the following 9 units of qualifying course work with a minimum grade of B in each course. All qualifying courses must be completed before a student will be considered for candidate status. None of these qualifying units will be counted toward the master's degree. The preparatory courses include:

GEOG 320, Community and Rural Planning;

3 units of Physical Geography at the 300/400-level;

3 units of Human Geography at the 300/400-level.

The Graduate Coordinator will determine the equivalency of undergraduate courses.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and a faculty advisor of the student's choice. Students must complete the development of an approved program and request advancement to classified status by the end of the second semester of the program. No more than 6 units combined of GEOG 689, GEOG 697, and GEOG 699P or 699T may be included in the program plan.

2. At least nine units of 600-level coursework, including GEOG 600 and 601, are required for advancement to classified status and must be completed by the end of the first year in the program. Failure to complete these 9 units in the first year will result in dismissal from the program.

3. Students who are required to complete qualifying courses must complete them by the end of their second year in the program. Additionally, at least 9 units of 600-level coursework, including GEOG 600 and GEOG 601 are required for advancement to classified status and must be completed by the end of the second year in the program. Failure to complete these 9 units and all qualifying course work by the end of the second year will result in dismissal from the program.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and satisfactory completion of at least 18 units of the approved program.

2. Formation of the graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and committee chair. This committee shall consist of at least three members and shall be in accord with the policies and requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies.

3. Completion of a thesis proposal or a project proposal. The proposal will be publicly presented and accepted by the student's graduate advisory committee by the end of the second year of study. Students failing to complete a proposal or to form a graduate advisory committee by the end of the second year of study will be assigned a one-semester probationary status. Failure to complete a proposal during this probationary period will result in dismissal from the program. Students required to complete qualifying work must complete a proposal by the end of their third year in the program.

3. A student who has elected the thesis or project option will not be allowed to change the option.

Requirements for the MA in Geography with an Option in Geography:

Completion of all requirements as established by the departmental graduate committee and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level course work as follows:

(a) At least 24 units in geography.

(b) At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 600-level courses.

(c) Successful completion of the following courses:

4 courses required:

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOG 602	Seminar in Physical Geography		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. An examination of current research in climatology, geomorphology, biogeography, or other selected topic in physical geography. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (004010)
GEOG 660	Landscape Ecology		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 350 or GEOG 444; MATH 314 or MATH 350 or GEOG 315. This course is also offered as BIOL 660. This course emphasizes spatial patterning in the landscapeits causes, development, and importance for ecological and environmental processes. The course includes the study of ecological and anthropologic aspects of landscape pattern and change. The laboratory includes hands-on experience with tools used in landscape ecology. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020295)

(d) Not more than 6 semester units of transfer and/or Open University credit (correspondence courses and extension course work are not acceptable).

(e) At least 1 unit, but no more than 6 units, of GEOG 699P or GEOG 699T, Master's Project or Master's Thesis. No more than 6 units combined of GEOG 689, GEOG 697, and GEOG 699P/GEOG 699T may be included in the program.

2. Completion and approval of a thesis or project of adequate scope and depth, and a public defense of the work. Approval of the work by members of the Graduate Advisory Committee and the Graduate Coordinator.

(a) Thesis Plan (Geography): A thesis must show substantial analysis and discussion of an original topic in geography. The thesis must include a review of the pertinent literature, a discussion of the methodology used, a presentation of the data and results of the work, and a discussion of the conclusions and importance of the work.

(b) Project Plan (Geography): A project investigates a substantial problem of physical geography, human geography, or geographic techniques. The project may include cartographic or GIS work, field study of an environmental problem or variable, computer modeling, or field-based analysis of a problem of human geography. The project will include an academic discussion of the pertinent literature, the methodological approach, and of the application of its importance.

3. Approval by the Graduate Coordinator or Department Chair and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Requirements for the MA in Geography with an Option in Environmental Policy and Planning

Completion of all requirements as established by the departmental graduate committee and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program of 30 units of 400/500/600-level course work as follows:

(a) Successful completion of the following courses:

4 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOG 600	Introduction to Graduate Research		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. A critical survey of contemporary directions and research in the major themes of geography and planning. 3 hours seminar. (004007)
GEOG 601	Research Models in Geography and Planning		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 600. A critical survey of contemporary methodologies available for research in geography and planning. 3 hours seminar. (004008)
GEOG 604	Planning Practice and Theory		3.0	F1
Explores planning knowledge, ethics, and practice at community, urban, and regional levels. Content includes communication, ethics, participation, sustainability, and diversity in planning. Planning theory is discussed through case studies. 3 hours seminar. (020743)
POLS 653	Environmental Policy and the Law		3.0	INQ
Development and implementation of environmental policies by the various levels of government within the U.S. federal system, with a particular focus on the legal context of environmental policy making. 3 hours seminar. (007694)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOG 602	Seminar in Physical Geography		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. An examination of current research in climatology, geomorphology, biogeography, or other selected topic in physical geography. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (004010)
GEOG 603	Seminar in Human Geography		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. An examination of current research in a selected human geography topic, including cultural, economic, urban, political, social, or behavioral geography. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (004011)
GEOG 605	Seminar in Applied Geography		3.0	F2
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. An examination of current developments in a selected topic of applied geographical and planning techniques. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (004013)
GEOG 660	Landscape Ecology		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 350 or GEOG 444; MATH 314 or MATH 350 or GEOG 315. This course is also offered as BIOL 660. This course emphasizes spatial patterning in the landscapeits causes, development, and importance for ecological and environmental processes. The course includes the study of ecological and anthropologic aspects of landscape pattern and change. The laboratory includes hands-on experience with tools used in landscape ecology. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020295)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ECON 466	Environmental and Natural Resource Economics		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: ECON 301. Economic theory and policy concerning optimization of resource use and pollution abatement. Incentive systems for generating optimum pollution abatement. Efficiency, safety, and sustainability standards as criteria defining the appropriate level of environmental preservation. Economically efficient rates of consumption for renewable and non-renewable resources. Case studies in resource exploitation assessing whether current use rates deviate from the optimum. 3 hours lecture. (002696)
POLS 660A	Seminar in Public Management		3.0	FA
This course will review, analyze, and test strategies of public management. Emphasis will be on areas of decision-making, planning, development, budgeting, and collective bargaining. Purpose is to familiarize students with the various approaches to public sector problem-solving and decision-making, primarily by using the case study format. 3 hours seminar. (007698)
POLS 667	Seminar in Administration and Planning		3.0	SP
Comprehensive consideration of political, social, and administrative issues related to the rural and town planning process. 3 hours seminar. (007707)

1-2 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOG 425	Planning for Sustainable Communities and Regions		3.0	FA
Examination of economic, social, demographic, and political bases for sustainable community and regional development and planning. Introduces the theory, evolution and practice of planning for sustainable communities and regions through examination of environmental, economic, and equity issues. 3 hours discussion. (003947)
GEOG 427	Environmental Impact Analysis		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 320 or equivalent. Study of the legal antecedents to California environmental impact legislation; analysis of environmental review procedures, environmental research, preparation and evaluation of EIRs, and conditional negative declarations. 3 hours discussion. (003949)
GEOG 428	Site Planning		3.0	S2
Prerequisites: GEOG 219, GEOG 320, or equivalent. Relationship of physical, biotic, cultural, and aesthetic factors to land planning. Techniques of solving site problems dealing with topography, grading, slope stability, seismicity, hydrology, vegetation, wildlife, soils, micro-climate energy use, view-shed, and functional design. Land development projects are analyzed, and plans for new development projects are prepared. 3 hours discussion. (003950)
GEOG 436	Transportation Planning		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 301, GEOG 320, or faculty permission. An analysis of the function and distribution of the various modes of transportation and their role in urban and regional development. Techniques of planning transportation systems based on land use. 3 hours discussion. (003955)

1-2 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
GEOG 426	Water Resource Policy and Planning		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or NSCI 101 or equivalents. Recommended: GEOG 304, GEOG 343. Analysis of local, regional, national, and international water resource projects, distributions, and characteristics. 3 hours seminar. (003948)
GEOG 429	Environmental and Conservation Planning		3.0	S1
Prerequisites: GEOG 211 and GEOG 219 or equivalents; GEOG 320. Recommended: GEOG 101 or GEOS 130. This course introduces the theory and application of environmental and conservation planning. It critically examines the activities of environmental planning and the analytical approaches that can be used to direct resources toward conservation that yields the greatest return on biodiversity protection and ecosystem services sustainability. Students gain knowledge of the theories, techniques through practical experiences in planning activities, and institutional legalities of environmental and conservation planning. Using sustainability as a framework, this course presents the underlying concepts of sustainable land-use planning to best manage for abiotic and biotic resources. Focus is on the regional, local, and landscape scales. 3 hours lecture. (020744)
GEOG 445	Pyrogeography		3.0	S1
Prerequisites: GEOG 101; AGRI 331, BIOL 350, BIOL 414, GEOG 343, GEOG 405S, GEOG 444, or PSSC 330. Pyrogeography is a comprehensive study of the physical and cultural parameters of fire. Topics covered include the spacial and temporal relationships of fire as an integral landscape process with an emphasis on the maintenance of North American ecosystems; the interpretation of the cultural uses of fire by indigenous communities as well as the historic and contemporary implications of fire management and policies; and the ecological implications of fire on biotic and abiotic systems. 3 hours discussion. (020415)

(b) At least 18 units required for the degree in 600-level courses.

(c) At least 24 units in geography.

(d) Not more than 6 semester units of transfer and/or Open University credit (correspondence courses and extension course work are not acceptable).

(e) At least 1 unit, but no more than 6 units of GEOG 699P, Master's Project, if completing a Project or GEOG 699T, Master's Thesis, if completing a thesis. No more than 6 units combined of GEOG 689, GEOG 697, and GEOG 699P/GEOG 699T may be included in the program.

2. Completion and approval of a thesis or project. The thesis or project must be of adequate scope and depth, as determined by the faculty advisor and Graduate Advisory Committee in consultation with the student; a public defense of the work is required.

(a) Thesis Plan (Planning): A thesis contains the research and analysis of a historical or philosophical aspect of planning theory or practice. A planning thesis must rest on a thorough review of pertinent literature and on the analysis and presentation of data from primary and/or secondary sources. It must include a description of the study's results and a discussion of the major conclusions and importance of the work to the field and practice of planning.

(b) Project Plan (Planning): A planning project analyzes some substantial practical problem of an environmental, land use, political, economic, or social planning issue. It must include a workable application of planning practice, such as in the elaboration of an environmental impact report, a specific or general plan, a general plan element, or development feasibility study. The project will include a discussion of academic literature, methodological approach, and of the application of its importance.

3. Approval by the Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Geography master's degree students will demonstrate their writing competence by successfully completing GEOG 600. In addition, no thesis or project will be accepted that does not demonstrate a high level of writing proficiency. Errors in structure, grammar, syntax, and spelling are not acceptable and will result in the rejection of the work.

Geography master's degree students will further demonstrate writing proficiency by successfully completing a specified writing assignment in each graduate seminar. A copy of this work will be placed in the student's department file.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the approved program plan (with the exceptions of GEOG 689, GEOG 697, and GEOG 699P or GEOG 699T) must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade of B is required for any course used as part of the approved program. In addition, students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in both of the following categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program and all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program.

While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for all graduate students. Conditionally classified and classified students must consult with the Graduate Coordinator; Candidates must consult with the Graduate Coordinator and their graduate advisory committee chair.