Geography

Head of the Department: Bruce L. Rhoads
220 Davenport Hall
607 South Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-1880 | Fax: (217) 244-1785
E-mail: cwilcock@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) environmental studies in Physical Geography (fluvial geomorphology, watershed science and management, aerobiology, periglacial geomorphology, and biophysical remote sensing); (2) society, space and environments (analysis of Third World development, urban analysis and historical landscape analysis); (3) geographic information science (geographic information systems, dynamic modeling of ecological and social systems, remote sensing, aerial photogrammerty and photo interpretation, interregional input-output modeling, spatial interaction modeling and spatial statistical analysis). Detailed descriptions of these programs may 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 maintains two computer-based laboratories for instruction - a main instructional facility containing 30 computers and a satellite facility containing 15 computers. In addition, a dedicated computer laboratory is available exclusively for graduate student use. The Regional Economics Applications Laboratory focuses on the development of models of urban and regional economies for impact analysis and economic forecasting. The Spatial Analysis Laboratory is devoted to the development, implementation and application of state-of-the-art methods of spatial analysis to policy issues in the social and environmental sciences. The Spatial Data Analysis Laboratory is a facility for analysis of spatial patterns derived from maps, aerial photographs and satellite images. The soil laboratory has a wide array of equipment for physical and chemical analysis of earth materials. The department is a participant in the Center for Water as a Complex Environmental System (CWACES), an interdisciplinary center devoted to improving understanding of water related issues.

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.