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The Geographic Information Systems minor is designed to prepare students with the basic training necessary to enter the rapidly expanding field of geographic information science (GIS). Employment opportunities are limitless for students who are proficient with this interdisciplinary tool. Well-qualified GIS specialists are sought in the areas of environmental study, physical sciences, business, economics, education, government, planning and international industries.
The minor is designed to provide students with basic knowledge and skills in GIS, remote sensing, cartography, database management and computer technology, and to explore application of these skills in courses selected from a wide variety of disciplines. Students are given hands-on experience with state-of-the-art computer programs and software.
This minor includes core courses from the Computing Sciences,History and Geography and Political Science and Public Administration departments as well as the Environmental Studies program. There are two components to the curriculum: a set of core courses required of all students enrolled in the program, and a set of selective courses that permit exploration of more advanced themes in GIS and/or development of individual research projects or internships in GIS.
| Requirements for a Minor in Geographic Information Systems | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ENS/GEO | 250 | Introduction to Geographical Information Systems | 4 sh |
| GEO | 356 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 4 sh |
| GIS | 460 | Advanced GIS | 4 sh |
| Plus two discipline-specific courses from: | |||
| CIS | 216 | Programming in a Visual Environment | 4 sh |
| GEO | 121 | Global Physical Environments | 4 sh |
| ENS | 111/113 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 4 sh |
| PUB | 334 | GIS Applications for Administration and Planning | 4 sh |
| PUB | 443 | Urban Politics | 4 sh |
| BUS | 416 | Global Marketing | 4 sh |
| ECO | 440 | Urban Economics and Planning | 4 sh |
| Total: 20 sh | |||
This advanced-level course in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will build on the techniques learned in ENS/GEO 250 (Introduction to Geographic Information Systems) by exposing students to more advanced methods in developing and utilizing GIS data. It is designed primarily to provide students with an in-depth understanding of GIS applications, the theoretical/conceptual side of algorithms in GIS software, and GIS research trends. Prerequisites: GEO 250 & GEO 356.
Coordinator: Assistant Professor, History & Geography: Honglin Xiao
Lecturer, Computing Sciences: Michele Kleckner
Associate Professor, Computing Sciences: David Powell
Assistant Professor, Biology: Janet MacFall
Assistant Professor, Political Science: Betty Morgan
Assistant Professor, History & Geography: Heidi Glaesel