The Earth Systems and Geoinformation Sciences (ESGS) doctoral program is based upon the integration of the scientific disciplines in geosystems, geography, geosciences, and geoinformatics. Students receive broad-based training in systematic geosciences and geography, as well as technical courses in computation and geoinformation sciences. The ESGS doctoral program represents a gateway to an academic career for some students; for others, it facilitates career advancement in the public sector or private industry. Graduates are equipped to participate in interdisciplinary research, which is the norm in today's research arena.
Admissions
University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Graduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog. International students and students having earned international degrees should also refer to Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
Eligibility
This program is intended for graduates who hold a MS or MA degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or international equivalent in atmospheric science, climatology, meteorology, Earth science, geology, environmental science, remote sensing, hydrology, oceanography, geography, or a related field.
Highly-qualified students with a BS or BA from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or international equivalent in applicable fields are also encouraged to apply.
Knowledge of mathematics through calculus is preferred.
Interested applicants should contact the GGS graduate coordinator for more specific advice if needed.
Application Requirements
To apply, prospective students should submit the George Mason University Admissions Application and its supplemental documentation, three letters of recommendation, and a goals statement.
GRE scores are not required for admission into this program, but are strongly encouraged if a student is seeking internal funding support.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate programs, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Transferring Previous Graduate Credit into this Program
Previously earned and relevant graduate credits may be eligible for transfer into this program; details can be found in the Credit by Exam or Transfer section of this catalog.
Secondary Program Options
Students enrolled in this doctoral program have the option of adding a secondary graduate certificate or master's program. Depending upon the secondary program chosen, many courses may be applicable to both programs. Before adding a secondary program, students are advised to carefully review AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates or AP.6.9 Requirements for Master's Degrees and AP.6.10 Requirements for Doctoral Degrees. Faculty advisors should be contacted for further guidance and for secondary program suggestions.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 72
Students should refer to the Admissions & Policies tab for specific policies related to this program.
Core Courses
Students are required to choose from the following courses in the core areas below. Of the cores, students must complete at least one course in five of the cores and two courses in at least three of those five cores.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The core areas from which to choose these credits are: | 24 | |
Quantitative Core: | ||
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| Earth Science Data and Advanced Data Analysis | ||
| Advanced Spatial Statistics | ||
Geoinformatics Core: | ||
| Introduction to GIS Algorithms and Programming | ||
| Spatial Data Structures | ||
| Location Science | ||
| Web-based Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Scientific Data Mining for Geoinformatics | ||
Geosciences and Physical Geography Core: | ||
| The Hydrosphere | ||
| The Lithosphere | ||
| Introduction to Atmosphere and Weather | ||
| Atmospheric Physics | ||
Human Geography Core: | ||
| Population Geography | ||
| Transportation Geography | ||
| Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of China | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia | ||
| Issues in Regional Geography | ||
| Health Geography | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Spatial Demography | ||
Geographic Information Science Core: | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Advanced Geographic Information Systems | ||
Remote Sensing Core: | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Drone Remote Sensing | ||
| Physical Fundamentals of Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing of the Environment and Earth System | ||
| Earth Image Processing | ||
| Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing Natural Hazards | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Research Synthesis and Colloquium
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Research Synthesis | 3 | |
| Seminar in Geographic Thought and Methodology | ||
| Colloquium | 2 | |
| Geography and Geoinformation Science Colloquium (complete twice) | ||
| Total Credits | 5 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| In consultation with the advisor, students select credits necessary to reach 72 total credits 1 | 19-31 | |
- 1
At least half of the elective credits taken at Mason must be from GGS courses.
Dissertation Research
Students take 12-24 credits, with at least 6 credits in GGS 999 Dissertation. After reaching candidacy, students must stay continuously enrolled GGS 999 Dissertation until defending their dissertation.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12-24 credits from the following: | 12-24 | |
| Dissertation Proposal | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| Total Credits | 12-24 | |
Dissertation Committee
All students will be assigned a temporary academic advisor when they first enroll in the program. No later than the end of the second year, each student should identify a dissertation advisor and form a doctoral committee. The committee will be chaired by a GGS tenure or tenure-track professor and be composed of at least four members. GGS tenure or tenure-track faculty should be at least 50% and have larger committee membership than any other Mason department/academic unit or external organization. At least one member should be a tenure or tenure-track faculty member from another Mason department or program outside of GGS. All members of the committee must be Mason Graduate Faculty and approved by the department's chair.
Candidacy Examination
After completing all required courses, each student must take a candidacy exam administered by the dissertation committee. The exam will have written and oral components. Its purpose is to determine whether the student has acquired adequate general knowledge in the selected subject area, as well as much more detailed knowledge of the specific research topic planned for the dissertation.
Dissertation Proposal and Advancement to Candidacy
After students have completed all required courses and passed the candidacy exam, they should prepare an acceptable dissertation proposal. After the dissertation proposal is approved and the appropriate paperwork is completed, the student will be advanced to candidacy.
Doctoral Dissertation
The degree will be awarded upon completion of the required coursework and successful defense of a PhD dissertation that makes an original and significant contribution to the field.