The Geographic Information Science and Technology minor provides students with cutting-edge technical knowledge and skills using state-of-the-art information technology, such as geographic information systems (GIS), satellite imagery analysis, and global positioning systems (GPS), which are in high demand in business, government, and research platforms. Upon completion of the minor, students are well-positioned to enter the workforce or to pursue advanced degrees in geography or other relevant fields with spatial analysis skills and geographic data processing capabilities.
Courses in this minor that are being counted to a student's major (or other minors) do fulfill the class requirement for the Geographic Information Science and Technology minor but do not count towards the total required credit hours of the minor. Relevant LEP courses can be used towards the course and credit hour requirements of this minor.
Topics Covered
- spatial data models
- datums
- projections
- cartography
- remote sensing
- georeferencing
- data acquisition
- data management
- data editing
- spatial analysis
- environmental applications of GIS
Learning Outcomes
The learning objectives for this program are: know how to operate common GIS software packages, be conversant in GIS terminology, be able to create, edit, and manage common GIS file formats, apply GIS concepts and software knowledge to geospatial problems. Specific skills developed may include geodatabase and shapefile creation, structured query language (SQL) use, table joins, spatial overlays, image georeferencing, layer projection and reprojection, and symbology modification.
Careers
Graduates with a minor in Geographic Information Science and Technology are equipped for roles as GIS professionals across governmental, private, and non-profit sectors. They can pursue careers in spatial analysis, mapping, urban planning, and environmental consulting, applying their skills to support public projects, business operations, and community development initiatives.
Typical Job Titles
- GIS Analyst
- GIS Technician
- Cartographer
- Environmental Analyst
- Data Scientist
School / College
College of Arts & Sciences
Department
Environment, Geography, and Marine Sciences
Contact
Dr. Matthew Miller