Graduate Catalog 2010-12
Geography
Faculty
Peter
Kyem (Chair, DiLoreto 208), Richard Benfield, Charles Button,
Patricia Houser, Cindy Pope, Xiaoping Shen, Brian Sommers, Ivan
Turnipseed (Department
phone: 860-832-2785)
Department Overview
Central
Connecticut State University has the oldest and largest graduate
program in geography in Connecticut. The graduate program was
initiated in 1962 with a Master of Science in Social Science for
in-service teachers who desired to complete the requirements for
their permanent teaching certificates. However, the program's
emphasis has changed since state approval was granted in 1976 to
offer a Master of Science in Geography. Since that time, students
have used the latter degree in the pursuit of a variety of career
goals.
In
2010, the Geography Department began offering a master's degree in geography, with a specialization in global sustainability.
The department has a fully equipped Geographic
Computer Laboratory that includes
18 computers and an extensive software collection, as well as two
printers, two scanners, and one plotter, for geographic information
systems, digital cartography, remote sensing, planning, and tourism and
hospitality studies. There
is also a Physical/Environmental Geography Laboratory available for
student use.
Admissions
The M.S. degree programs are available
to all individuals who meet the admissions requirements. The Graduate
Record Examination is not an admission requirement. An undergraduate
major or minor in geography is desirable but not required of
applicants. However, those with deficient academic preparation may
be asked to complete up to four courses of remedial work at the
undergraduate level. Details are available from the Department of
Geography.
Program
Master of Science in Geography
Program Rationale:
The
master's program in Geography is based on students' interests and
faculty expertise. Each graduate student’s planned program of study
is custom-designed to provide the best possible preparation for the
career or future PhD study chosen by the student.
Program Emphases:Students enrolled in the M.S. in Geography
program may emphasize any of the following areas:
• urban and
regional planning
• environmental studies
• travel and
tourism
• cultural and world regional geography
• computer
mapping or geographic information systems
Program
Goals and Learning Outcomes:
The
graduate program in Geography strives to achieve the following goals:
to
create an environment in which students learn about the breadth,
depth, and complexity of the human experience through the study of
Geography;
to
produce students who have an informed appreciation and understanding
of geographical thought, its
philosophical background and debates, and the interpretation of
geographical literature;
to
produce graduates who have an informed appreciation and
understanding of the research
methods in geography and the social sciences in general
by
completing a research thesis or project under academic supervision
and guidance; and
to
prepare students for professional careers or further studies and
research in Geography.
Each
Geography MS graduate on completion of their degree will have
achieved the following learning outcomes to a satisfactory level as
judged by the appropriate performance indicators established for use
in the program assessment of student achievement.
demonstrate
an ability to develop a research proposal and carry out independent
research
have
an in-depth understanding and mastery of the literature in Geography
and in at least one geographic subfield
demonstrate
an ability to present and defend research work in oral, written and
graphic forms
demonstrate
technical skills in the collection, analysis and mapping of
geographic data, critical-thinking skills, plus written and verbal
communication skills
apply
geographic knowledge and skills to a range of problems faced by
businesses, industry, government, etc.
write
effectively and persuasively about the key principles, theories, and
issues of geography, especially in the student's area of
specialization; thesis plan A students will be able to write at
an advanced scholarly level.
Course and Capstone Requirements:
Students enrolled in the graduate program must comply with all requirements in the current graduate catalog.
Students select Plan A, B, or C.
Plan A, which requires 30 credits, includes a thesis (GEOG 599); 12 credits of core courses, including GEOG 500, 514 or 516 or 518, 530 or 542, 598; 9-12 credits of geography electives selected in consultation with an advisor; and 3-6 credits of electives selected from other disciplines in consultation with an advisor. Thesis guidelines are available from the appropriate Dean’s office.
Plan C, which also requires 30 credits, includes a special project (GEOG 595) instead of a thesis.
Others may select Plan B, in which a comprehensive exam and GEOG 597 is completed instead of a thesis or special project. The 30 credits required are the same as in Plan A (thesis) and Plan C (special project) except that GEOG 597, as well as the comprehensive examination, substitutes for GEOG 599 and GEOG 595, respectively, in the Plan B (comp exam) option.
Geography Electives:
9 credits of directed electives in geography.
(Up to 9 credit hours total may be 400-level courses that are listed in the graduate catalog.)
Global Sustainability Specialization:
30 credits total, plus any additional prerequisite courses.
Program Rationale:
The M.S. in Geography: Global Sustainability Specialization is designed to enable students to examine global environmental, social, and economic challenges facing society and to explore possible sustainable solutions to these challenges.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Graduate students will:
• Demonstrate the ability to explain sustainability in the global context.
• Demonstrate an empirical grasp of the human-environment relationship.
• Be able to apply geographic theories and methods to research and communicate sustainability issues.
Course and Capstone Requirements:
Core Geography Courses (12 credits):
GEOG 500 Graduate Studies in Geography
GEOG 530 Graduate Internship in Geography
GEOG 598 Research in Geography
GEOG 595 (Plan C) Special Project in Geography or GEOG 599 (Plan A) Thesis; Plan B not available
Specialization Courses (9 credits):
SUST 500 Social, Political, and Ethical Dimensions of Sustainability
SUST 501 Contemporary Challenges in Environmental Sustainability
SUST 502 Science for Sustainability
Geography Electives:
9 credits of directed electives in geography.
(Up to 9 credit hours total may be at the 400-level courses that are listed in the graduate catalog.)
Each graduate student’s planned program of graduate study is custom designed to provide the best possible preparation for the career selected, and can include practical work experience to apply classroom theory.
Certification
Graduate study in geography does not
lead to teacher certification.
Advisement
Contact
the Graduate
Studies Advisor or
the Chair of Department in DiLoreto 208 (860-832-2785), or write to the:
Department of Geography
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT 06050 U.S.A.
