Geography

The University of California offers a comprehensive Geography undergraduate program designed to equip students with a profound understanding of the Earth's physical features, human societies, and the intricate relationships between them. This program provides a multidisciplinary approach that combines physical geography, human geography, and geographic information systems (GIS) to prepare students for diverse careers in research, environmental management, urban planning, and policy development. Students will explore topics such as climate change, environmental sustainability, land use planning, and cultural landscapes, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, spatial analysis, and research methodologies, enabling graduates to analyze complex geographic issues and develop innovative solutions. Through coursework, fieldwork, and collaborative projects, students will learn to interpret geographic data, utilize advanced GIS tools, and communicate findings effectively. The program also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing students to work alongside experts in environmental science, economics, political science, and anthropology. Students are supported by a faculty renowned for their research and expertise in various geographic disciplines. In addition, the program offers opportunities for internships, study abroad, and undergraduate research, enhancing real-world experience and global awareness. Graduates of the Geography program are well-prepared for careers in government agencies, environmental consulting, urban development, education, and non-profit organizations. They can also pursue advanced degrees in geography, urban planning, environmental science, or related fields. The program’s comprehensive curriculum and experiential learning opportunities position students to address the pressing geographic challenges of today and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development and environmental stewardship worldwide.

The Master’s program offers two plans: the thesis (Plan I) and the examination (Plan II) alternatives. The thesis (Plan I) will summarize the results of original scholarly research in Geography. The thesis shall conform to the style required by the Library/Graduate Division and shall be suitable in form and format for publication.

Undergraduate Preparation

An undergraduate degree in Geography is not required. Applicants with strong academic backgrounds in specific systematic study areas are strongly encouraged to apply. While a Master’s degree is normally required before admission to the Ph.D. program, students applying to the department with an undergraduate degree are encouraged to apply for the MA/Ph.D. program if the Ph.D. is their final degree objective.

Unit Requirements for the MA Degree

The program is designed to provide maximum flexibility while assuring a basic level of competence within Geography. Because Geography is traditionally among the broader academic disciplines, coursework in related departments is often appropriate to graduate study within the field.

*exclusive of Geog. 201, 200A, B and C; 597, 598 and 599; no more than half may be in 596

Required Courses

These courses are required of all Master’s and Ph.D. students:

• Geography 201 – Seminar in Geography (required every quarter offered)
• Geography 200 A, B and C – Introduction to Geographic Research
• Geography 210 A, B, and C – Analytical Methods in Geography 1, 2, 3
• Geography 276 are strongly recommended.

All Teaching Assistants must take Geography 500 (T.A. Training).

1. Except in unusual circumstances, students must have a thesis proposal accepted by their advising committee by the end of the academic quarter following the end of the quarter in which they enrolled in 200C or they will automatically be transferred to the examination route. After the proposal is accepted by the committee, a maximum of 3 academic quarters will be allowed to complete the thesis or the student will be transferred to the exam route. For Plan II (examination) students, Geography 200A, B and C will provide a needed exposure to research methods, and for Plan I (thesis) students, the courses will provide a firm foundation for thesis research. A secondary goal is the building of improved bibliographic and other research and writing skills. Performance in the course will also help the faculty determine the suitability of the student to the chosen program (Plan I or II).
2. Students may petition out of 210ABC if: a) they have taken Geog 172; b) they have taken the equivalent elsewhere or will take its equivalent from another department on campus, or c) their faculty advisor does not feel the student needs the courses.

Master’s Committee

This committee consists of at least three UC ladder faculty members. Two members of the committee must be ladder faculty from the Geography Department, one of whom will be appointed as chair or co-chair. The Master’s Committee is formally nominated on Master’s Form I – “Nomination of Thesis Committee For Master’s Degree Candidates.”

Normative Time

Normative time is the number of years considered to be reasonable for completion of a particular program by a full-time student who enters the program without academic deficiencies. The normative time for completion of the Master’s degree is 7 quarters; the absolute deadline is 4 years, including leaves of absence. Justification for exceeding the 7 quarter normative time must be made during the 8th quarter.

Financial Support as a Master’s

Student Financial support for Master’s students on departmental funds (e.g. Teaching Assistantships, Fellowships) beyond four quarters is contingent upon progress and performance. For any student enrolled in the Geography MA or Ph.D. programs, a GPA of less than 3.3 or a grade of C+ or less in geography may cause departmental financial support to be withdrawn.

Residency Requirement

Students in the Master’s program must spend a minimum of three quarters in full-time residence at UCSB.

Master’s Degree by Examination

For students electing Plan II, the final examination will consist of three parts, and will assess the candidate’s general knowledge of geography as well as testing the candidate’s mastery of one or more systematic specialty areas and/or areas of technical expertise. Students should prepare themselves and their examination committee for the examination beginning at least three months before the expected date of the examination. The final examination will be conducted by the student’s advisor and examination committee, and the scope and structure of the exam shall be determined by the advisor, the committee, and the student. If the student fails to pass the examination, he/she may try once more without penalty, taking the retest during the quarter following his/her failure or at the next available opportunity, whichever is later. Please note that Plan II Master’s students are ineligible for the Ph.D. program.

The examinations are usually written over a three-day period. A number may be open-book exams and could be given to you the weekend before. If open-book exams are to be used, you will be notified well in advance of the examination. If closed-book exams are used, they are normally three hours in length. Again, however, this is at the discretion of the individual faculty member who administers the particular examination.

Petitioning to Skip the MA and Go Directly to the Ph.D. Program

Qualified students in the MA/Ph.D. program can petition to skip the MA and go directly into the Ph.D. program. Students must have been enrolled for at least 3 regular academic quarters. The petition requires the approval of the student’s committee. Attached to the petition should be:

• A letter of justification from the committee chair
• Ph.D. Form I, which officially nominates the Ph.D. committee
• A Ph.D. proposal

Requirements

• Online application: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp
• Statement of Purpose, Personal Achievements/Contributions, and Resume or CV (submitted in the online application)
• Three Letters of Recommendation (submitted online)
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (submitted online)
• GRE General test scores
• TOEFL scores 550 Paper-Based Test (PBT), 80 Internet-Based Test (IBT) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Overall Band score of 7 or higher (if applicable)
• Final/Official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara by submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). UC Santa Barbara reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admissions process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found.

Scholarships

Fellowships provide funds to support the living and educational expenses of graduate study. If you apply for this merit-based assistance, your application will be judged on the basis of the quality of your previous academic work, on the evidence of your ability to do research and other creative accomplishments, and on your promise of becoming a productive scholar. Except in unusual circumstances, applications for fellowships are considered only once a year; awards are made for the academic year, beginning with the fall quarter. Fellowships can come in the form of a 4-6-year guarantee of support (Regents Special Fellowship, Chancellor’s Fellowships, Eugene-Cota Robles Fellowship, Doctoral Scholars Fellowship), a 1-year fellowship (Graduate Opportunity Fellowship), or the payment of fees and nonresident tuition (Block Grant). If your fellowship includes the payment of fees and/or nonresident tuition, payments will be credited directly to your BARC account prior to payment deadlines. Read the award letter carefully and contact the department if you have questions.

The following awards are made by the Department of Geography Awards and Nominations Committee, and the annual number and dollar amount of awards are at the Committee’s discretion. Apart from ongoing Dangermond Travel Awards, awards are normally presented at the last Spring Quarter colloquium.

• The Jack & Laura Dangermond Graduate Fellowship
• The Jack & Laura Dangermond Travel Scholarship
• The Jack Estes Memorial Award
• The Leal Anne Kerry Mertes Scholarship
• Samantha C. Ying Gamma Theta Upsilon Scholarship
• David S. Simonett Memorial Award
• Geography Excellence in Teaching
• Geography Excellence in Research

The Geography Excellence in Research award is given annually, and the dollar amount of the award varies. The award is presented to one or more graduate students who are making satisfactory progress toward their degrees. Students must have a demonstrated track record; therefore, preference is given to those who have been in the graduate program for more than four quarters. Criteria for the award include, but are not limited to, outstanding presentations at national meetings, important publications, significant research results, and outstanding performance in lab or field experiments. Calls for nominations go out at the end of Winter Quarter, and all nominees must have three support letters, in addition to their own, in the case of a self-nomination.

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography at the University of California offers students a comprehensive education in understanding the Earth's physical features, human-environment interactions, and spatial processes. The program aims to develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills through a diverse curriculum that covers physical geography, human geography, and geographic information systems (GIS). Students gain a foundational knowledge of Earth's landscapes, climates, and ecosystems, alongside insights into cultural, economic, and political geography. The program emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical applications, preparing graduates for careers in urban planning, environmental management, transportation, and GIS technology. Core courses include Geographic Information Systems, Climate and Weather, Urban Geography, and Environmental Sustainability, among others. Students are encouraged to engage in fieldwork, research projects, and internships to gain hands-on experience. The curriculum is designed to foster a global perspective, and students are often encouraged to participate in study abroad programs to understand geographic challenges and cultural contexts worldwide. Graduates of the program are equipped with skills in spatial analysis, data interpretation, and problem-solving, making them competitive in various sectors such as government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private industries. The program also offers opportunities for specializations within geography, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals. Overall, the Geography undergraduate program at UC provides rigorous training in understanding the complexities of the world’s physical and human systems, preparing students for both advanced study and professional careers in geography-related fields.