Geography BA - Urban and Regional Analysis Concentration

An Urban and Regional Analysis concentration in the Department of Geography prepares students to identify and address a wide variety of economic and social problems related to population changes and migration, land use, urban environment, housing, work and welfare, health, and transportation within a geographical context. This curriculum focuses on the theoretical foundations of geographical analysis and urban environments, the use and interpretation of statistics, and the collection, processing, and interpretation of geospatial information.

Upon completion of the Urban and Regional Analysis concentration, students will understand the processes that have produced the social, economic, racial, health, and gender disparities within cities and between regions. Core concepts in this concentration include processes of city formation and growth, transportation planning and analysis, spatial demography, industrial location analysis, and health geography. Students will also have well-developed skills in using state-of-the-art statistical software and technologies employed in research, industry, and government agencies. Graduates will have theoretical and practical experience in solving geographic problems in a variety of realms including the environment, health, and urban areas.

A key component of the Urban and Regional Analysis concentration is access to the Geographic Information and Analysis Laboratory. This multipurpose computing facility supports the teaching and research needs of geospatial sciences and statistics with site licenses of specialized software packages, and it enables faculty and students to pursue active learning experiences. Introductory courses include relatively large enrollment classes that embrace a range of media sources, active learning exercises, technology, and online options to enhance the learning experience. Upper-division courses tend to include relatively smaller class sizes with unrivalled opportunities to engage students in research and thematic discourse, to use state-of-the-art technology and software, and to gain practical experience through independent projects, directed research, and internship opportunities with local stakeholders.

The Department of Geography maintains the Geographic Information and Analysis Laboratory, a multipurpose computing facility. The collection, processing, and presentation of digital information obtained from a variety of sources are critical components to the study of geospatial sciences and statistics. This facility supports the teaching and research needs of geographic analysis, it provides students with access to state-of-the-art software, and it enables the hands-on training required to master Urban and Regional Analysis.

Geography has a diverse faculty in terms of disciplinary focus, composition, and real-world experience. The department has 19.5 faculty with specializations in Earth Systems Science, Geographic Information Science (GIS), International Trade, and Urban and Regional Analysis. Faculty within Urban and Regional Analysis have expertise in statistics, medical geography, spatiotemporal analysis, dynamic modeling, urban health and sustainability, and demography. All faculty have active research programs and are often supported with extramural funds from NIH, NSF, government agencies, and industry. Several faculty members have earned the rank of SUNY Distinguished Professor and have been awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities and Teaching, while others have been recognized for their contributions to international education and graduate student mentoring. The department is supported by about 12 teaching assistants and several adjunct instructors who assist in the learning experience.

Please visit the Geography department website for additional information about our faculty.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (US Department of Labor) notes that the employment of statisticians and urban and regional planners is projected to grow significantly within the next decade. This growth is expected to result from increased use of statistical analysis to make informed business and healthcare decisions and from continued growth in population.

Career Choices

• Crime Analyst
• Demographer
• Health care analyst
  
• Researcher
• Statistician
  
• Urban and transportation planner

Work settings include:

• Consulting companies
• Engineering and marketing consultants
• GIS software development, implementation
• Government agencies
• Local, city and/or state planning offices
• Multinational corporations
• Real estate developers
• Social services organizations
• Universities

The department provides a two-tiered support system for students. A fulltime staff person, the Undergraduate Secretary, is available to service the needs and queries of all undergraduate majors within the department. The Director of Undergraduate Studies is a faculty member who provides academic advising and has the authority to address curricula issues.

Ms. Dawn Raffel, undergraduate secretary, Department of Geography, 105E Wilkeson Quad, Phone: 716-645-0470, email Ms. Raffel

The department gives annual awards to highly-qualified undergraduate students on a competitive basis. The McConnell/MacPherson Award in International Trade recognizes an academically outstanding graduating student in International Trade. The Greg and Susan Aldrich Undergraduate Research Award was established to provide funding to students to overcome barriers that obstruct their ability to perform meaningful research and/or creative activities. The Charles H.V. Ebert Scholarship for Physical Geography provides recognizes an academically outstanding graduating student in Earth Systems Science.