Department
of Geography and Earth Sciences
448 McEniry Building
(704) 687-2295
http://www.geoearth.uncc.edu/
Degree
M.A.
Coordinator
Dr. Tyrel G. Moore
Graduate
Faculty
Victoria Bowman, Professional Affiliate
Harrison Campbell, Jr., Associate Professor
Kenneth Chilton, Assistant Professor
Owen Furuseth, Professor
Laurie Garo, Lecturer and Professional Affiliate
Bill Graves, Assistant Professor
David Hartgen, Professor
Edd Hauser, Professor
Isaac Heard, Jr., Adjunct Professor
Gerald Ingalls, Professor and Chair
Jiyeong Lee, Assistant Professor
Ronald Kalafsky, Assistant Professor
Dennis Lord, Professor Emeritus
Tyrel Moore, Professor
Heather Smith, Assistant Professor
Jack Sommer, Professor Emeritus
Jamie Strickland, Lecturer and Professional Affiliate
Alfred Stuart, Professor Emeritus
Wayne Walcott, Associate Professor
Wei-Ning Xiang, Professor
The M.A. in Geography at UNC Charlotte emphasizes the application of geographic skills, methods, and theories to problem solving in contemporary society. To this end, students are offered a solid foundation in research methods, problem formulation and solution, quantitative methods, computer applications and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Faculty and students are active in the community and students are encouraged to complete their programs with either funded or unfunded private or public sector internships.
One of the program's greatest strengths is the close relationship between its students and faculty and among the students themselves. Small class sizes, close student and faculty contact and a strong sense of community are considered essential components of the learning and teaching environment at UNC Charlotte.
The applied geography program at UNC Charlotte is recognized as one of the best of its kind in the country. Its graduates go directly into jobs as professional geographers, research and/or marketing specialists, location analysts, planners, transportation specialists, and consulting. About 10 percent of the more than 250 graduates of the program have gone on to study in Ph.D. programs.
Additional
Admission Requirements
It is the policy of the Department to provide equal opportunities to all students regardless of race, creed, color, gender, or national origin. The Department maintains slightly different requirements than the general requirements for admission to graduate study at UNC Charlotte. The Department requires that applicants demonstrate evidence of suitability for the programs via evaluation in the five major areas listed below. These are weighted equally.
All applications for admission to the Geography M.A. Community Planning track will be reviewed by the Community Planning Track Interdisciplinary Entrance Committee. All other applications for admission will be reviewed by the Geography Graduate Advisory Committee. The Department will admit applicants on a competitive basis as space in the program allows and grant exceptions to the minimum standards if deemed in the best interests of the program.
1) Grade Point Average (GPA): In general, the Department would prefer an overall GPA above 3.1 (or a 3.1 for the last 2 years) and a GPA of 3.2 in the major. However, averages less than these will not exclude applicants if the other elements of the application are strong.
2) Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of reference are required. Letters from college or university teachers who have worked with and/or taught applicants are preferred. These letters will be evaluated on the basis of how well the applicant is suited in terms of intellect, motivation and temperament to do graduate course work.
3) Personal Essays: Applicants must write a personal essay which directly addresses why they wish to do graduate work in geography and why they wish to participate in the M.A. program at UNC Charlotte. They should address directly how the program at UNC Charlotte fits their career and/or professional goals and how they would benefit from and contribute to the M.A. in Geography at UNC Charlotte. This essay is very important in determining the applicant's commitment to graduate education and to a professional career in geography or a related field. Careful consideration of what goes into this essay is time well spent.
4) Scores on the Graduate Record Exam: In general, the Department would prefer scores in the range of 1000 or more on the combined Verbal and Quantitative portions of the GRE. Again, scores less than these suggested minimums will not automatically exclude applicants if the remainder of the applicant's file is strong.
5) Transcripts of College Course Work: The transcripts will be evaluated on the basis of types of courses attempted, range of geography, statistical and computer course work attempted. Not only will the applicant be evaluated on the strength of the performance in these areas, but also on the range, depth and suitability of the applicant’s preparation for graduate level course work.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants: Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. Overall scores of 575 with scores of 55 on individual sections (listening comprehension; structure and written expression; vocabulary and reading comprehension) are preferred.
Prerequisite
Requirements
Minimum Preparation
Suggested for Students Entering the Program:
All prospective graduate students must demonstrate competence in the undergraduate subject matter in their area of study. While the Department does not require that applicants have a degree in Geography, prospective graduate students should provide evidence that they are prepared to immediately take full advantage of graduate level course work in Geography.
Students applying to the program should, at a minimum, be familiar with the concepts and materials offered in courses such as basic Economic Geography, Introduction to Spatial Analysis, Location Theory, and Introduction to Research Methods or Statistics. Any student wishing to pursue additional training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) should have basic cartography preparation and computer file management and data base skills. The relevant courses at UNC Charlotte are Maps and Graphs and Cartographic Lab.
The courses noted above are considered basic for admission to the UNC Charlotte Masters of Arts in Geography Program. Consequently, a student will normally not be considered prepared for graduate study without equivalent course work. Any student passing the above courses with a grade of B or better at UNC Charlotte or the equivalent courses from another university with a grade of at least B will not be judged deficient in these courses and will not be denied entry based solely on a lack of preparation. All judgments in this area are the responsibility of the Graduate Advisory Committee, the Community Planning Interdisciplinary Committee, and the Department Chair.
Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are arranged for either one entire semester or for an entire academic year (2 semesters or 9 months). They are normally scheduled for 16 weeks per semester and the student works 20 hours per week. Assistantships are funded at the rate of $4,500-$5,000 per semester. The Department makes every effort to provide funding to every full-time student in the program.
Degree
Requirements
The M.A. in Geography requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work. Three specific courses (12 semester hours) are required of all students except those pursuing the Community Planning Track. Of the remaining 24 hours, a minimum of 12 hours must be completed through 5000-6000 level geography course work. Up to 12 hours may be taken in related work which includes all transfer credit, credit by exam, and course work in other departments at or above the 5000 level. At the discretion of the department, transfer credit totaling up to 6 hours may be accepted from accredited universities. No student may take more than 6 hours in graduate level independent study (GEOG 6800).
Required Courses (for all except the Community Planning Track)
GEOG6100 Quantitative Analysis in Geography (3)
GEOG6200 Research Design Fundamentals (3)
GEOG7900 Individual Research Project (6)
Elective Courses
1) Other 5000 or 6000-level courses in Geography -- a minimum of 12 hours
2) Related work (outside the Department) or transfer credits in courses numbered 5000 and above- maximum of 12 semester hours.
Advising
Upon admission to the program each student will be assigned a faculty advisor from the student's declared area of interest. This advisor will help guide the student through the design and implementation of a program of study tailored to the student’s specific needs and career goals. The advisor will be available to the student for advice on academic and other problems. Students must confer with their advisors regularly concerning academic matters.
More often than not, students will not work with the same advisor throughout the entire program. Once the student has become familiar with the program and the faculty, it is possible to change advisors by obtaining prior approval from the faculty member with whom the student wishes to work. Advisors should be chosen to match, as nearly as possible, the student's academic and career interests. No student will be allowed to register for a class without the signature of their “official” advisor.
All students are required to formulate a complete plan for their M.A. during preregistration for second semester. This plan must be approved by their advisor and will serve as a guide to their course of study while at UNC Charlotte.
Concentrations
Students may elect to study in one or a combination of three concentrations and one track. The concentrations are location analysis, urban-regional analysis, and transportation studies. The University’s interdisciplinary Community Planning Track also is housed within the M.A. in Geography.
Location Analysis
Overview
The location analysis concentration offers course work in retail location, applied population analysis, facility siting, office and industrial location, trade area analysis, real estate development, location research, and regional economic development.
This concentration prepares students for jobs in location research with retail companies, real estate developers, consulting firms, commercial banks, and economic development agencies or for continued academic training in economic geography and location analysis. Courses are taught by practitioners in the career fields listed above.
Course Work
The following courses are suggested for a concentration in location analysis:
GEOG5108 Sport, Place and Development (3)
GEOG5155 Retail Location (3)
GEOG5255 Applied Population Analysis (3)
GEOG6000 Selected Topics in Economic Geography (3)
GEOG6030 Topics in Geographic Techniques (3)
GEOG6101 Store Location Research (3)
GEOG6102 Site Feasibility Analysis (3)
GEOG6103 Real Estate Development (3)
GEOG6104 Industrial Location (3)
Urban-Regional Analysis
Overview
The urban-regional analysis concentration offers course work in community development, regional development, GIS based analysis, site feasibility analysis, public facility siting, urban economics and social geography.
Students normally gain employment in public sector community development and economic development as well as the private sector.
Graduates of the M.A. in Geography program hold positions in
a number of local and regional agencies in
Course Work
Students normally choose courses from the following for a concentration in urban-regional analysis:
GEOG5101 Cartographic Techniques (3)
GEOG5103 Computer Mapping (3)
GEOG5108 Sport, Place and Development (3)
GEOG5120 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4)
GEOG5130 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (4)
GEOG5210 Urban Planning Methods (3)
GEOG5255 Applied Population Analysis (3)
GEOG5260 Transportation Policy Formulation (3)
GEOG5265 Transportation Analysis Methods (3)
GEOG6005 The
GEOG6015 Topics in Regional Geography (3)
GEOG6102 Site Feasibility Analysis (3)
GEOG6103 Real Estate Development (3)
GEOG6104 Industrial Location (3)
GEOG6106 Urban Planning: Theory and Practice (3)
GEOG6116 Applied Regional Analysis
GEOG6615 Spatial Decision Support Systems (4)
Transportation Studies
Overview
Students in the transportation studies concentration can pursue course work in transportation systems analysis, policy formulation, impact analysis, and planning. This concentration prepares students for jobs in the public and private sector, usually as planners in the public sector and as analysts for transportation providers and for consulting companies in the private sector.
Job Prospects
Graduates with this concentration in transportation studies
have taken positions with local and regional planning agencies, consulting
firms, and transit management companies across
Course Work
The following courses comprise the transportation studies concentration:
GEOG5040 Transportation Topics (3)
GEOG5160 Geography of Transportation Systems (3)
GEOG5260 Transportation Policy Formulation (3)
GEOG5265 Transportation Analysis Methods (3)
GEOG5270 Evaluation of Transportation Impacts (3)
Selected courses offered by the Civil Engineering and Marketing Departments also are available for students in this program.
Community Planning
Overview
The Community Planning Track is structured to provide students with grounding in planning skills, methods and theory, and practical experience for careers in community planning. That structure is supported by interdisciplinary perspectives from core coursework in Architecture, Economics, Geography, and Public Administration.
Job Prospects
Graduates have been hired by local and regional planning agencies to give the track an excellent placement success rate. Perhaps a third of the students who pursue the program are practicing planners who wish to build and improve their professional skills.
Curriculum - Required hours 36 semester hours
The track comprises an interdisciplinary curriculum. Core requirements and approved electives are listed below:
Core coursework (21 hours, required of all students)
GEOG5210 Urban Planning Methods (3)
GEOG6040/
ARCH6050 Community Planning Workshop (3)
GEOG6100 Quantitative Analysis in Geography (3)
GEOG6106 Urban Planning: Theory and Practice (3)
ARCH5214 Dilemmas
of
ECON6250 Advanced Urban and Regional Economics (3)
MPAD6128 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3)
Elective Coursework (minimum 9 hours) from the following:
GEOG5120 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4)
GEOG5130 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (4)
GEOG5209
GEOG5255 Applied Population Analysis(3)
GEOG5260 Transportation Policy Formulation (3)
GEOG5265 Transportation Analysis Methods (3)
GEOG5270 Evaluation of Transportation Impacts (3)
ARCH6050 The Architecture of Settlements (3)
ARCH6050 Public Spaces in Cities (3)
ARCH6050 Urban Transit and City Form (3)
ARCH7103/
ARCH7104 Urban Design Problems (Topical Studio) (5)
MPAD6102 Legal and Institutional Foundations of Public Administration (3)
MPAD6131 Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
Capstone Research Project (6 hours, required of all students)
GEOG7900 Individual Research Project (6) (taken in final semester)
Research
Options
A common capstone research experience is not appropriate for all students. Instead, students should pursue research experiences that are appropriate to departmental faculty resources, individual student’s programs and career goals, and the availability of opportunities that exist to work with allied agencies or clients on or off campus. One of three options, depending on the previously stated stipulations, will be available: 1) a research experience similar to that of a traditional academic thesis; 2) a research experience which involves a paid internship funded by and arranged with a public or private agency or client; and 3) a research experience involving an internship that is not funded, but arranged with a public or private agency or client. Each of these options fulfills program requirements equally. Each will produce a finished research effort of thesis quality.
Not every student can expect to develop a capstone research project that is similar to a traditional academic thesis. It does, however, provide a choice for students to pursue a research problem in a direction of his/her individual interest. Students who ultimately plan to pursue a Ph.D. degree might be more inclined and encouraged toward that option. The same is true of students who wish to complete their master’s program with that kind of individual research activity. In all cases, students must work closely with their advisor and program committee to choose the option which best fits both their particular program and prevailing circumstances.
Not every student can expect to engage in a capstone research project that is a paid internship because the number of students frequently exceeds a matching number of opportunities funded in that manner. Unpaid internships provide the same caliber of experience and training in an applied environment. In some cases, that experience may relate student with non-profit agencies or social services that simply do not have the resources to fund an internship. In either case, the topic of the internship is defined by the client’s problem or needs.
Committees
All GEOG 7900 Research Projects are evaluated by a committee of faculty. Committees must have a minimum of three members composed of the graduate faculty of the department--or related departments. Committee members may include outside members from other departments or internship coordinators from off-campus agencies when appropriate.
Admission
to Candidacy Requirements
The Admission to Candidacy form should be filed upon
successful completion of a minimum of 18 semester hours of graduate work and in
no case later than four weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in
which student expects to complete all requisites for the degree. Completed forms forwarded to
Comprehensive
Examination
To complete the program, each student must pass a two part comprehensive examination covering both general aspects of the discipline and defense of the individual capstone research project. It is the responsibility of the advisor or committee chair, in consultation with the student, to arrange each of the exams.
The Written Exam - Part 1 of the comprehensive is a written exam in which the student must respond to three questions submitted by the faculty. These questions are solicited from the entire graduate faculty of the Department by a memo sent by student's advisor who then administers the examination. The written comprehensive exam is normally taken during the third semester (for full-time students) and in no case should the student take this exam before accumulating 27 hours of completed course work including courses in progress. This exam may not be administered if the student has outstanding incomplete grades in any course work.
The Defense of the (GEOG 7900) Individual Research Project - Part 2 of the comprehensive exam is the defense of the individual research project (GEOG 7900)—the capstone research project. This exam is generally administered at the discretion of the committee chair and the student. When the advisor is satisfied that the student's research and writing has progressed sufficiently the research document is provided to the other members of the independent research committee; if they agree that the document is ready for a defense, an exam is scheduled.
Courses In Geography
GEOG 5000. Topics in Geography. (3) Major topics in Geography. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (Yearly) (Evening)
GEOG 5040. Transportation Topics. (3) Prerequisite: consent of department. Investigation of special topics in transportation including: transit systems, mobility and travel patterns, land use/transportation interface, air pollution, and information systems. (Spring) (Alternate years)
GEOG 5101. Cartographic Techniques. (3) Prerequisite: GEOG 2100. Preparation of maps, figures and charts at a professional level of competence. Techniques to be emphasized include desktop mapping with computers, high resolution imagesetting output, color separation techniques which include computer separations as well as scribing and various related photographic processes. Two laboratories of three hours each per week. (Spring)
GEOG 5102. Cartographic Design and Map Construction. (3) Design process and basic map construction techniques with particular emphasis on the graphic elements of map design, planning map design, creating visual hierarchies, the uses of color, and basic mechanical color separation. (Fall)
GEOG 5103. Computer Mapping. (3) Prerequisites: GEOG 2100 and CSCI 1100 or 1201 and its lab, or consent of instructor. Automated methods of gathering, storing, manipulating and displaying spatial data. Emphasis on the use of existing software and the design and implementation of geographic data structures and algorithms. (Spring)
GEOG 5108. Sport, Place and Development. (3) Prerequisites: GEOG 1105. Examines sport and its impact on the landscape of cities and communities. Implications of sport are examined in terms of urban use, urban social structure, markets, franchise movement and expansion, urban politics, its role in defining sense of place, and its impact on the development of communities and regions. (Spring)
GEOG 5120. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. (4) Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Development, current state-of-the-art and future trends in geographic information processing with emphasis on data gathering, storage, and retrieval, analytical capabilities and display technologies. A laboratory component will include development and completion of an applied GIS research project. Additional requirements for graduate credit. Three lecture hours, one two-hour lab per week. (Fall)
GEOG 5130. Advanced Geographic Information Systems. (4) Prerequisite: GEOG 5120 or consent of instructor. Advanced GIS study with emphasis on (1) advanced skills for database development and management; (2) spatial analysis and modeling; and (3) Macro language programming and user interface design. Three lecture hours and a two-hour lab session each week. (Spring)
GEOG 5155. Retail Location. (3) Spatial attributes of retailing and related activities. Location patterns, store location research, trade area delineation and consumer spatial behavior. (Spring)
GEOG 5160. The Geography of Transportation Systems. (3) Geographical and human factors that affect the movement of goods and people from place to place. Emphasis on transportation routes and networks, commodity flow patterns and the locational implications of freight rates. (Spring)
GEOG 5209.
GEOG 5210. Urban Planning Methods. (3) Prerequisite: GEOG 5205 or consent of the instructor. Scope and methods of urban planning. Emphasis on analytical techniques, projections, and data sources used in developing comprehensive planning tasks and strategies. (Fall)
GEOG 5240. Geography of Knowledge and Information. (3) Examination of the factors that influence the location of economic activities in the information age. Discussions and lectures explore the geographic aspects of the transition away from manufacturing to information processing as the primary mode of production. The transition is examined in terms of technology development, urban and regional development, information flows and the location of quaternary industry. (Fall, On demand)
GEOG 5255. Applied Population Analysis. (3) Population data sources; measuring population change; elementary projection and estimation techniques; spatial sampling; migration; survey design; applications in the public and private sectors. (Fall)
GEOG 5260. Transportation Policy Formulation. (3) Prerequisite: consent of department. Structure of transportation policy at federal, state, and local levels including policies concerning highway financing and investments, congestion, safety, and use and development, energy, transit, and the provision of intercity services. (Fall) (Alternate years)
GEOG 5265. Transportation Analysis Methods. (3) Prerequisite: consent of department; statistics recommended. Procedures for analyzing the operation and performance of transportation systems; includes network planning models, minimum path algorithms and assignments; energy, air pollution, and activity analysis models; and research approaches, data sources, time and activity budgets, infrastructure condition and needs assessment. (Spring) (Alternate years)
GEOG 5270. Evaluation of Transportation Impacts. (3) Prerequisite: consent of department. Methods and case studies for evaluating impacts and benefits of transportation investments including site-level impact analysis; project, corridor, and area scales; multi-modal evaluation and examination of mutually exclusive alternatives. (Fall) (Alternate years)
GEOG 5405. Urban Field Geography. (6)
Prerequisite: six hours of urban-related
undergraduate courses or permission of instructor. Intensive field studies of cities of the
GEOG 6000. Topics in Economic Geography. (3) Major topics in the location of economic activity. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (Yearly) (Evenings)
GEOG 6005. Topics in Urban Geography. (3) Major topics in the form and structure of urban areas examined generally and in a specific local occurrence. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (Yearly) (Evening)
GEOG 6010. Topics in Political Geography. (3) Major topics in the spatial aspects of political systems with special emphasis on urban and regional spatial patterns examined generally and in a specific local occurrence. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
GEOG 6015. Topics in Regional Geography. (3) Intensive examination of major spatial questions in a given region. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
GEOG 6030. Topics in Geographic Techniques. (3) Cartographic, remote sensing, quantitative techniques or field techniques. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
GEOG 6100. Quantitative Analysis in Geography. (3) Multiple regression, trend surface, factorial analysis, cluster analysis, discriminant analysis. (Fall) (Evenings)
GEOG 6101. Store Location Research. (3) Prerequisite: GEOG 6100 or consent of instructor. Market area analysis and site evaluation methods, including the application of multivariate statistical models, spatial interaction-gravity models, and location-allocation techniques to the retail location analysis task. (Spring)
GEOG 6102. Site Feasibility Analysis. (3) Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Examination of factors affecting the feasibility of land parcels for commercial and residential development with emphasis on the physical evaluation of a given site, the market support for its intended use and the financial support for the proposed development. (Fall)
GEOG 6103. Real Estate Development. (3) Examination of the real estate development process. Identification and evaluation of the critical assumptions and issues related to market and site feasibility, financial feasibility, planning, acquisition, construction, and operation of economically viable commercial real estate projects. (Fall or Spring)
GEOG 6104. Industrial Location. (3) Addresses factors influencing the location of industrial and service activities. Classical theories of industrial location are augmented with contemporary interpretations of the economic landscape. Emphasis is placed on theoretical foundations and new developments in industrial location theory, patterns and trends of industrial location, the site selection process, community impacts of locational decision-making, and the role of governments. Patterns and trends are examined in regional, national, and international perspectives. (Fall, Alternate Years)
GEOG 6105. Applied Real Estate Development. (3) Prerequisite: MBAD 6159/GEOG 6103/ARCH 5068. This course focuses on the application of the processes involved in real estate development. Students will work in groups on a semester project to select a site and prepare an appropriate development plan that emphasizes the market and financial feasibility of the real estate development. (Fall or Spring)
GEOG 6106. Urban Planning: Theory and Practice. (3) Alternative planning theories and application of theories in urban planning practices. (Alternate years)
GEOG 6110. Cartographic Preparation and Analysis. (3) Cartographic design and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. Emphasis on preparation of maps, figures and charts. Techniques include scribing and various photographic processes. Two three-hour labs each week. (On demand)
GEOG 6116. Applied Regional Analysis. (3) Prerequisite: Basic computer skills including spreadsheets. Introduction to methods and techniques used in regional analysis. Topical areas include data sources and collection, regional delineation, community and regional profiles, regional accounts, methods of analysis and impact assessment. Topics are discussed in terms of theory, use, and role in economic geography and regional development. Emphasis is placed on application of economic and demographic methods at the regional level. (Spring, Alternate Years)
GEOG 6200. Research Design Fundamentals. (3) Scientific research and problem solving. Problem identification, bibliographic search, data sources and collection, techniques selection and preparation of reports and proposals. (Spring) (Evenings)
GEOG 6201. Analysis and Presentation of Research Data. (3) The student is required to complete a research project. Topics such as research critiques, preparation and presentation of research reports, and the development of geographic thought are considered. (Fall) (Evenings)
GEOG 6600. Seminar in Geography. (3) Study of the current trends in geographic thought and research methods. Pass/No Credit grading. (On demand)
GEOG 6615. Advanced Seminar in Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS). (4) Prerequisite: GEOG 5120 or consent of instructor. Theoretical aspects of spatial DSS including technical, social, political and psychological consideration; systems design; systems manipulation; and case studies. Three hours of lecture and one two-hour lab per week. (Fall)
GEOG 6643. Rural Development Issues. (3) Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. This course provides research experiences that focus on policy formulation, and demographic, economic and planning issues in rural areas. (Fall)
GEOG 6800. Directed Problems in Geography. (1-4) Individual research into geographic topics. May be repeated one time. (On demand)
GEOG 7900. Individual Research Project. (6) Individual research report based on directed study of a topic of geographic significance. Pass/No Credit/ Unsatisfactory grading. (Fall, Spring)
GEOG 7999. Masters Degree Graduate Residence. (1) Permission needed from department. (Fall, Spring, Summer)