Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences

Return to: College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment

Geography (MA, MS, PhD)

The Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, housed in UD’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, provides a unique perspective that seeks to explain patterns of commonality and difference across the human and natural environment. Working alongside nationally and internationally recognized faculty, students examine the physical properties of the natural environment and the role that human beliefs, activities and decision-making have in shaping the world around us.

The department’s cutting-edge research and work extend to include scientists and professionals throughout the University and across the region. The department is home to the following offices and centers, all of which host student research opportunities:

• Office of the State Climatologist of Delaware;

• Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis;

• Delaware Environmental Observing System; and 

• Delaware Center for Geographic Education.

Program Overview

The Department offers programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Geography. Each graduate degree is highly individualized. A student works closely with their advisory committee to design and complete the graduate degree in physical geography, human geography, or coupled human-environment systems.

In physical geography, the Department has a long tradition focusing on climatology, especially physical, synoptic, dynamic climatology, and all phases of water budget cycling. In addition, emphasis is placed on sea-ice interactions, hydrology, and ecosystem linkages. Human Geography covers a broad range of environmental themes approached from cultural-historical, socio-economic, and political perspectives. Coupled human-environment systems examines linkages and processes between the biophysical environment and human societies with emphasis in environmental governance, conflicts over increasingly scarce resources, and human dimensions of climate change. Interdisciplinary work is encouraged from across the University and in collaborations with local, national, and international partners.

Degree Programs: 

Climatology (PhD)  

Environmental Science and Management (MS)  

Geography (MA)  

Geography (MS)  

Geography (PhD)  

Requirements for Admission to Master’s Programs

General admissions requirements are an undergraduate grade point index of 2.75 or more. Admission is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Applicants are expected to have completed a previous degree in geography, geology, climatology, meteorology, or another relevant discipline. The Department will consider qualified applicants without previous background in geography, although additional preliminary work may be required.

Requirements for Admission to the Ph.D. program

General admissions requirements are a graduate grade point index of 3.0 or higher. A prior Master’s degree in Geography is expected. Applicants with degrees from a program other than Geography may be considered if students can demonstrate similar preparation. Admission is highly competitive, based on a careful assessment of each applicant’s background and interest, and accessibility to facilities and other resources.

Applications should state a preference for approaching their studies from a physical, human, or coupled human-environmental systems, and demonstrate their preparation in methodological techniques appropriate to the particular interests of the student. Additional preparation may be required following admission and prior to undertaking a research program to allow students to conduct research in the area of their particular interests.

Financial Aid

Teaching assistantships, research assistantships and university fellowships are available to graduate students at the M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. levels. In addition, this department regularly assists students in finding fellowships via outside programs, such as NASA, NOAA, NSF, and American Meteorological Society (AMS). Please refer to Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships for additional information.  Please refer to Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships  for additional information.

Programs

• Geography (MA)
• Geography (MS)

• Climatology (PhD)
• Geography (PhD)

• Geographic Information Science Certificate
• Geospatial Data Science Certificate
• Minerals, Materials and Society Certificate

• Environmental Science/Environmental Science and Management 4+1 (BS/MS)

Return to: College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment