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 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 313 | Business Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 317 | Technical Writing II | |
| MATH 143 | Precalculus I: Algebra (or higher) | 3 |
| CS 212 | Practical Python | 3 |
| or CS 120 | Computer Science I | |
| or CS 112 | Computational Thinking and Problem Solving | |
| STAT 251 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| GEOG 100 | Introduction to Planet Earth | 3 |
| GEOG 100L | Introduction to Planet Earth Lab | 1 |
| GEOG 165 | Human Geography | 3 |
| or GEOG 200 | World Cultures and Globalization | |
| 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 6 credits from the following Geography courses: | 6 | |
| Urban Geography | ||
| Geopolitics and Conflict | ||
| Meteorology | ||
| Tree Rings and Environmental Change | ||
| Climatology | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Climate Change Ecology | ||
| Climate Change Mitigation | ||
| Geography of Energy Systems | ||
| Sustainability of Global Development | ||
| Select 12 additional credits in GEOL, GEOG, or ESS. | 12 | |
| Choose 3 GIS courses out of the following list. Note: GEOG 424 and GEOG 483 can only count once in the major. | 9 | |
| Spatial Analysis and Modeling | ||
| Socioeconomic Applications of GIS | ||
| Hydrologic Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing/GIS Image Analysis | ||
| 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 once in the major. | 4-6 | |
| Remote Sensing of the Environment | ||
| Hydrologic Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing/GIS Image Analysis | ||
| 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 | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 86-88 | |
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 | Precalculus I: Algebra (or higher) | 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 or GEOG 200 | Human Geography or World Cultures and Globalization | 3 |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| GEOL/GEOG/ESS Elective | 3 | |
| GEOL/GEOG/ESS Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 313 or ENGL 317 | Business Writing or Technical Writing II | 3 |
| STAT 251 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| GEOL/GEOG/ESS Elective | 3 | |
| Scientific Ways of Knowing Course | 4 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| CS 212 | Practical Python or Computer Science I or Computational Thinking and Problem Solving | 3 |
| GEOG 385 | Foundations of GIS | 3 |
| GEOG 301 OR GEOG 317 OR GEOG 330 OR GEOG 350 OR GEOG 365 OR GEOG 401 OR GEOG 410 OR GEOG 430 OR GEOG 435 | 3 | |
| GEOG 301 OR GEOG 317 OR GEOG 330 OR GEOG 350 OR GEOG 365 OR GEOG 401 OR GEOG 410 OR GEOG 430 OR GEOG 435 | 3 | |
| Remote Sensing, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fall Term 3 | ||
| GEOG 390 | Cartographic Design & Geovisualization | 3 |
| GIS, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| GIS Elective, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Term 3 | ||
| GEOG 475 | Intermediate GIS | 3 |
| American Diversity Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 4 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fall Term 4 | ||
| GEOG 479 | GIS Programming | 3 |
| GEOG 493 | Senior Capstone in Geography | 3 |
| GEOL/GEOG/ESS 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 | |
| GIS, Major 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.