Geographical Information Systems (B.S.)
This program is offered through the College of Science. Students must earn a grade of 'C' or better in all Geography courses. Required course work includes the university requirements (see regulation J-3) and:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 143 | College Algebra | 3 |
| CS 212 | Practical Python | 3 |
| STAT 251 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| ENGL 313 | Business Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 317 | Technical Writing II | |
| GEOG 100 & 100L | Introduction to Planet Earth and Introduction to Planet Earth Lab | 4 |
| GEOG 165 | Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 200 | World Cultures and Globalization | 3 |
| GEOG 385 | Foundations of GIS | 3 |
| GEOG 390 | Cartographic Design & Geovisualization | 3 |
| GEOG 475 | Intermediate GIS | 3 |
| GEOG 479 | GIS Programming | 3 |
| GEOG 493 | Senior Capstone in Geography | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Survey of Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following in human geography: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Geopolitics | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Global Economic Geography | ||
| Sustainability of Global Development | ||
| Population Dynamics and Distribution | ||
| Geopolitics and Conflict | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following in physical geography: | 3 | |
| Meteorology | ||
| Tree Rings and Environmental Change | ||
| Climatology | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Climate Change Ecology | ||
| Select one course from the following in human-environment interactions: | 3 | |
| Land, Resources, and Environment | ||
| Climate Change Mitigation | ||
| Societal Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change | ||
| Geography of Energy Systems | ||
| Select 6 additional credits in Geography courses. | 6 | |
| Choose 3 GIS courses out of the following List. Note GEOG 424 and GEOG 483 can only count for one bin. | 9 | |
| Spatial Analysis and Modeling | ||
| Socioeconomic Applications of GIS | ||
| Hydrologic Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing IMAGE ANALYSIS/GIS Integration | ||
| GIS Application in Fire Ecology and Management | ||
| Choose 2 Remote Sensing courses from the following list. Note GEOG 424 and GEOG 483 can only count for one bin. | 4 | |
| Remote Sensing of the Environment | ||
or GEOG 424 | Hydrologic Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing | |
or GEOG 483 | Remote Sensing IMAGE ANALYSIS/GIS Integration | |
| Remote Sensing Application with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) | ||
| Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Operations | ||
| Choose 1 Data Analytics course from the following list. | 3 | |
| Statistical Analysis | ||
| Managing Information | ||
| Data Visualization for Managerial Decision Making | ||
| Database Design | ||
| Free electives | 19 | |
| Total Hours | 90-91 | |
Courses to total 120 credits for this degree
| Fall Term 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| GEOG 100 | Introduction to Planet Earth | 3 |
| GEOG 100L | Introduction to Planet Earth Lab | 1 |
| MATH 143 OR MATH 160 OR MATH 170 OR MATH 175 | 3 | |
| Oral Communication Course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| GEOG 165 | Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 200 | World Cultures and Globalization | 3 |
| MATH 160 | Survey of Calculus or Calculus I or Calculus II | 4 |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 313 or ENGL 317 | Business Writing or Technical Writing II | 3 |
| STAT 251 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Geography Major, Elective Course | 3 | |
| Scientific Ways of Knowing Course | 4 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| CS 212 | Practical Python | 3 |
| GEOG 385 | Foundations of GIS | 3 |
| GEOG 260 | Introduction to Geopolitics or Urban Geography or Global Economic Geography or Sustainability of Global Development or Population Dynamics and Distribution or Geopolitics and Conflict | 3 |
| GIS Elective, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Remote Sensing, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fall Term 3 | ||
| GEOG 390 | Cartographic Design & Geovisualization | 3 |
| GEOG 301 | Meteorology or Tree Rings and Environmental Change or Climatology or Biogeography or Climate Change Ecology | 3 |
| GIS, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Term 3 | ||
| GEOG 420 | Land, Resources, and Environment or Climate Change Mitigation or Societal Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change or Geography of Energy Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 475 | Intermediate GIS | 3 |
| American Diversity Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fall Term 4 | ||
| GEOG 479 | GIS Programming | 3 |
| GEOG 493 | Senior Capstone in Geography | 3 |
| Geography, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| GIS, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Term 4 | ||
| Remote Sensing, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Data Analytics, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The degree map is a guide for the timely completion of your curricular requirements. Your academic advisor or department may be contacted for assistance in interpreting this map. This map is not reflective of your academic history or transcript and it is not official notification of completion of degree or certificate requirements. Please contact the Registrar's Office regarding your official degree/certificate completion status.
- The ability to write clearly and to verbally explain problems and issues in geographic science and related human and environmental topics in an effective manner and with supportive visual and statistical materials.
- The ability to understand empirical research reports and most methodology in the science of geography and related fields.
- The ability to use GIS to map and analyze spatial patterns and relationships in a wide variety of data types.
- The ability to use basic statistics and data analysis for constructing models of cause and effect.
- The ability to design research methods to both problem-solve and to provide sound analysis for addressing practical and policy related questions.