Geographic Information Systems
A speciality of Information and Communications Technology
The master’s degree specialty and graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems can be earned entirely online or evenings on campus.
From the management of natural resources to public utility management, public works engineering, environmental impact assessment, and even market research, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have the capability to store, retrieve, and analyze spatial information. The valuable information is obtained by combining layers of data about a place to give you a better understanding of that locale. What layers of data you combine and the information they provide depends on your purpose–finding the best location for a new store, analyzing environmental damage, viewing similar crimes in a city to detect a pattern, and so on.
The curriculum includes:
• Understand the nature of geographic data
• Recognize appropriate applications of GIS technology to solve spatial problems
• Be able to apply GIS technology to solve real-world problems
• Be able to plan, implement, and execute a GIS project
Program Requirements
Total 48 credit hours
Students are required to take MALS 4020 within their first three quarters at University College
Core - 8 qtr. hrs
Professional Foundation Courses - 12 qtr. hrs
Speciality Courses - 16 qtr. hrs
Further Study - 12 qtr. hrs
Admissions Requirements
Students must meet two of the following three admissions criteria to be considered for acceptance into the online MSGISc program:
1. Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better.
2. A minimum score of 1000 on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) with at least a 500 in quantitative section and 500 in verbal section.
3. A 3.5 grade point average in the University College GIS Certificate Program.
The applicant's professional commitment and written language skills are evaluated through the essay, and the confidential recommendations, both submitted as part of the admissions packet.
General Requirements
- Completion of a minimum 48 credit hours (24 GIS & 24 GEOG) that includes all required coursework
- Completion of a project (committee approved)
- Presentation of the project at a professional forum
Required course work (24 credits)
GEOG 3000 Advanced Geographic Statistics (4)
GEOG 3010 Geographic Information Analysis (4)
GEOG 3140 GIS Database Design or
GIS 3140 GIS Database Design (4)
GEOG 3150 GIS Project Management or
GIS 3150 GIS Project Management (4)
GEOG 3200 Remote Sensing or
GIS 3200 Introduction to Remote Sensing (4)
GIS 4504 Cartographic Design (4)
Geography MSGISc courses:
(a minimum of 16 credits)
GEOG 3040 GPS for Resource Mapping (4)
GIS 4690 GPS for GIS (4)
GEOG 3130 Advanced Remote Sensing (4)
GIS 4530 Crime Mapping and Analysis (4)
GIS 4630 Public Domain Data for GIS (4)
GIS 4680 Environmental Applications (4)
GIS 4685 GIS and Natural Hazards (4)
GIS 4740 Digital Image Processing (4)
GIS 4860 Internet Mapping (4)
GIS 4650 Demographic Analysis (4)
Capstone Courses (8 credits)
GEOG 4020 Research Methods (3)
GEOG 4040 Project Identification (1)
GEOG 4993 Capstone Project (4)
Our programs are developed and updated with the input of advisory boards composed of industry leaders and employers. This ensures that you’ll learn what employers are looking for, and gain the most current information with a view to future industry trends, connecting you to future success.