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Head of the Department: C. E. Thorn
220 Davenport Hall
607 South Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-3486 | Fax: (217) 244-1785
E-mail:
bbonnell@uiuc.edu
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Geography offers programs leading to the master
of arts, master of science, and doctor of philosophy degrees. The
department’s specializations are organized into three programs:
(1) economic geography/regional science (industrial location, transportation,
techniques of urban and regional analysis, urban systems); (2) urban
and rural development (social theory, political processes, urban morphology,
cultural ecology and development, historic landscape analysis); and
(3) physical geography (fluvial, periglacial, soil, Quaternary studies,
remote sensing, geographic information systems). Detailed descriptions
of these programs may be obtained from the departmental office.
Admission
Students applying for admission to the master’s program are
expected to have a strong undergraduate background in geography and/or
related disciplines. In addition to other Graduate College admission
requirements, a grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) in the
undergraduate major is required. Ph.D. candidates are generally expected
to have at least a 3.5 average in previous graduate work.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience
in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience
in this program.
Master of Arts and Master of Science
Successful candidates for the master’s degree whose backgrounds
are largely in physical geography are recommended for the master of
science; others receive the master of arts. The Graduate College requirements
for the master’s degree apply.
Doctor of Philosophy
Admission presupposes distinction in completing the master’s
program in geography at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
or its equivalent. In the doctoral program, the student develops depth
in the program chosen for specialization and further advances in research
competence. Of the 64 graduate hours required beyond the master’s
degree, 16 graduate hours of study in allied disciplines and a minimum
of 24 additional graduate hours in geography are required. A student
must complete the course requirements as determined by an individually
planned program, initiate and complete research projects, and qualify
for candidacy by passing the preliminary examination. Although there
is no departmental foreign language requirement, students may study
a foreign language as a research tool.
Departmental Facilities
The department houses several laboratories. The Spatial Data Analysis
Laboratory is a facility for analysis of spatial patterns derived
from maps, aerial photographs, and satellite images using computer
cartography/image processing workstations. The Cartography Laboratory
has darkroom and drafting facilities. The Soil Laboratory has a wide
array of equipment for physical and chemical analysis of earth materials.
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory is equipped with
several networked SUN computers and a wide array of software.
Map and Geography Library
Within the University’s outstanding library is the Map and Geography
Library, which has an excellent collection of geography monographs,
periodicals, and more than 500,000 maps and aerial photographs.
Financial Aid
Fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and waivers of
tuition and some fees are available in the department.
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