Geospatial Information Science and Technology [BS]

Program Overview

The Geospatial Information Science and Technology program empowers students with in-demand geospatial technologies for careers in environmental management, engineering, homeland security, and more. The 124-credit-hour bachelor's degree includes core courses and a specialized concentration. Practical skills include GIS theory, spatial analysis, databases, GIS programming, and environmental assessment. Graduates are sought by federal agencies, municipal agencies, and private firms.

Program Outline

Outline:

• The Geospatial Information Science and Technology [BS] program empowers students with geospatial information technologies for in-demand professional careers, including environmental management and science, engineering & design, geo-intelligence & homeland security, facility and asset management, marketing and location-based services, telecommunications, transportation, and more.
• The 124-credit-hour bachelor's degree program comprises 39 credits of core courses and 23-26 credits of a specialized concentration (Program Website).
• Students in the GIS minor are required to take 15 credits of GIST coursework.
• Practical skills:
• - Basic and Advanced GIS Theory
• - Spatial Analysis and Spatial Statistics
• - Databases (Access, MySQL, Oracle Spatial, PostgreSQL, ArcSDE)
• - GIS Programming (VB.Net, ArcObjects, Javascript, PHP, Python)
• - Aerial Photograph Interpretation
• - Remote Sensing of the Environment
• - Global Positioning Systems
• - GIS Project Management
• - Environmental Assessment
• - Research Methods

Careers:

• The skills of GIST professionals are sought by various entities, including:
• - Federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Imagery and Mapping Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and GIS for K-12 Educators
• - Municipal agencies
• - Private engineering, planning, and technology firms
• Many GIST majors secure internships, which often lead to full-time employment.
• Career applications of GIST skills:
• - Business GIS
• - Cartography
• - Crime Analysis
• - Energy Utilities
• - Engineering
• - Environmental Management
• - Forestry
• - Geospatial-Intelligence
• - Military
• - National Defense
• - Public Health
• - Remote Sensing