Specialized programs developed to apply the state-of-the-art technologies such as remote sensing, geographic information systems, and advanced cartographic methods in various sub-disciplines of geography, atmospheric sciences, and allied sciences. The requirements are flexible allowing a student to arrange programs of study that will serve as a basis for further study, to prepare for positions in industry, business or government, or to meet the immediate and changing needs of teachers and educators.

Applied Atmospheric Sciences Emphasis:

The Applied Atmospheric Sciences Emphasis is designed to meet the educational needs of students with strong interests in weather analysis and forecasting, severe local storm environments, and/or mitigation of severe weather in an emergency management setting.

Geographic Information Processing Emphasis:

The Geographic Information Processing Emphasis educates students as geographical spatial analysts, with intensive studies in cartography, remote sensing, and geographical information systems. Among the essential components of the program are theory, research methods, and application development. To fulfill this goal, practical experience obtained from internships and field research is integrated into the curriculum.

The Department of Geography is equipped with excellent facilities, including leading software in remote sensing, GIS, and cartography. The extracurricular activities offered in atmospheric science, including the Ball State Storm Chase Team, are unparalleled in the Midwest. Perhaps most important of all, the department's experienced faculty can accommodate the needs of students with varied interests in geographical fields.

Opportunities with the Master of Science in Geography:

This program provides a solid background in skills such as remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), advanced cartography, and operational meteorology to be applied to various sub-disciplines of geography and allied fields. The demand for a skilled work force in such fields continues to expand in industries, business, and government both locally and nationally. The World Wide Web has paved the way for different types of archived and present data to be available to the public and government in a timely manner. With globalization, employers are looking for people who are skilled in the above fields.

An intricate combination of several factors such as a growing and changing world economy, changing environment, mobility of multinational corporations, and data availability through various sources have created a major demand for GIS, and advanced cartography techniques. The specialized courses in remote sensing, GIS, and advanced cartography are designed for students who are interested in handling various types of spatial data

The Program:

This degree requires 33 hours including the research requirement. The requirements are flexible to meet the students needs, but two programs of specific emphasis are offered.

REQUIRED COURSES -- 12 hours

    GEOG 601 -- Colloquium

    GEOG 610 -- History of Geographic Thought.

    GEOG 615 -- Research Methods in Geography.

    GEOG 618 -- Quantitative Methods in Geography.

ELECTIVE COURSES -- 15 hours from:

    GEOG 530 -- Weather Analysis (3)

    GEOG 531 -- Global Climate (3)

    GEOG 540 -- Cartography and Graphics 1 (3)

    GEOG 542 -- Remote Sensing 1 (3)

    GEOG 543 -- Remote Sensing 2 (3)

    GEOG 544 -- Advanced GIS Analysis (3)

    GEOG 545 -- GIS Applications Design (3)

    GEOG 546 -- Seminar in Remote Sensing (3)

    GEOG 548 -- GIS Systems Design (3)

    GEOG 550 -- Severe Local Storms (3)

    GEOG 570 -- World Political Geography (3)

    GEOG 590 -- Field Observation of Severe Local Storms (6)

    GEOG 614 -- Problems in Teaching of Earth Science (3)

    GEOG 620 -- Seminar in Geography (3)

    GEOG 625 -- Special Topics in GIS (3-6)

    GEOG 630 -- Special Topics in Advanced Cartography (3-6)

    GEOG 635 -- Special Topics in Advanced Remote Sensing (3-6)

    GEOG 640 -- Special Topics in Atmospheric Science (3-6)

    GEOG 680 -- Distant Areas Field Studies (1-6)

    GEOG 690 -- Internship (1-3)

    GEOG 695 -- Readings and Special Studies (3-6)

THESIS REQUIREMENT -- 6 hours.

    THES 698 -- Graduate Thesis (6)

IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?

Our Department offers Graduate Assistantships.  Students awarded an assistantship receive full tuition remission.  They also receive a stipend of approximately $700 per month for 10 months.  Students with an assistantship work 20 hours per week as either a Teaching Assistant or a Research Assistant.  Information about loans is available through the Financial Aid Office at 1-800-227-4017.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Step 1.  Complete application to the Graduate School.

Step 2.  Complete application to the Department of Geography, including three letters of reference, transcripts of all previous graduate and undergraduate coursework, statement of interest, and GRE scores.

Step 3.  Make copies of everything and send to both the Graduate School and the Geography Department.

DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 15th

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Dr. Christopher Airriess: Graduate Coordinator
Department of Geography
Ball State University
2000 West University Avenue
Muncie, IN 47306-1776
Phone: (765) 285-1614
e-mail: cairriess@bsu.edu