Geography BS, GIScience Specialization

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This GIScience specialization recognizes the increasing importance of spatial information in understanding and managing environmental and human systems, providing majors training in the processing, display, and analysis of geographical data. Students develop familiarity with the theoretical underpinnings of spatial analytical tools and techniques as well as their application to real-world problems. Issues pertaining to the collection, management, analysis, and dissemination of spatial information are covered through courses in GIS, aerial photo interpretation, remote sensing, and quantitative analysis. Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for employment as managers and analysts of spatial information, including positions in business, governmental agencies, and private consulting, as well as graduate study and advanced professional certification.

Geography Core

Admission to the Major

All students who wish to major in geography must:

have a 2.25 minimum GPA in all coursework taken up to the time of admission;
apply for acceptance into the geography major;
upon acceptance into the program, meet with their assigned advisor to develop a major contract; and
earn a C- or higher grade in each of the courses in their major contract.

Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

apply geography concepts, especially the distribution of the built environment in relation to physical features, by constructing analytic essays;
demonstrate familiarity with the discipline’s vocabulary, concepts, and themes by scoring well on an objective assessment; and
develop electronic portfolios demonstrating their career preparation.

Core Requirements

GEOG 101 - World Regional Geography Credits: (5)
GEOG 107 - Our Dynamic Earth Credits: (5)
GEOG 208 - Our Human World Credits: (5)
GEOG 250 - Resource Exploitation and Conservation Credits: (4)
GEOG 301 - Introduction to GIS and Maps Credits: (4)
GEOG 489 - Geography Capstone Credits: (2)

Total Core Requirement Credits: 25

GIScience Specialization

Required Courses Credits: 29-30

GEOG 330 - Airphoto Interpretation Credits: (5)
GEOG 403 - GIS and Data Management Credits: (5)
GEOG 404 - GIS Analysis Credits: (5)
GEOG 409 - Quantitative Methods in Geography Credits: (5)
GEOG 411 - GIS Programming Credits: (5)
OR CS 110 - Programming Fundamentals I Credits: (4)
GEOG 430 - Remote Sensing Credits: (5)

Upper-level Geography Courses Credits: 13-15

Culminating Experience Credits: 4

GEOG 417 - Workplace GIS Credits: (4)

Department-Approved Electives Credits: 12

(minimum 12 credits total)

CS 110 - Programming Fundamentals I Credits: (4) (If not taken for Section B.2 programming requirement)
CS 111 - Programming Fundamentals II Credits: (4)
CS 351 - Web Development Technologies II Credits: (4)
ENG 310 - Technical Writing Credits: (4)
GEOG 411 - GIS Programming Credits: (5) (If not taken for Section B.2 programming requirement)
GEOG 485 - Topics in GIS or Remote Sensing Credits: (1-5)
GEOG 490 - Cooperative Education Credits: (1-12) (May be taken for 1-6 credits)
GEOG 494 - Applied GIS Project Credits: (2-6)
GEOG 496 - Individual Study Credits: (1-6)
MATH 153 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics I Credits: (5)
Other computer science classes, with approval from the Geography Chair.

NOTE: GEOG 490 and GEOG 496 must employ a spatial technique and be approved by the Geography Chair.

Total Specialization Credits: 58-61

Total Credits: 83-86

College and Department Information

Geography Department
College of the Sciences

Online Availability
The program does not have a designated online only option.

Program Codes
Major plan codes: GEOGBS, GEOGBSP
Specialization plan code: GIS