BA Geographic Information Science

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography with an emphasis in GISci is a more focused degree requiring extensive coursework across select concentration areas: (1) Air Photos and Remote Sensing, (2) Geographic Information Systems and Cartography, and (3) Quantitative Techniques and Theoretical Methods.

The Major

Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is data science for map data. Using GIScience, geographers study the earth, humans, and the interactions between people and the planet. The BA in Geography with an emphasis in Geographic Information Science is intended to equip students with powerful GIScience skills and knowledge of how to apply these tools to solve pressing societal questions from climate change to social equity. Students will learn how to acquire, model, and process spatial and temporal information relevant to themes in fields of sustainability, climate change, health, history, architecture, transportation, chemistry, and other disciplines. Students will also have an opportunity to gain skills in the related fields of remote sensing, photogrammetry, spatial analysis, global navigation, cartography, and spatial cognition. Students will choose a GIScience track and may combine tracks for breadth and depth, as well as pursue interests in particular technologies or applications. With the proliferation of map data from technology in everything from satellites to our phones, GIScience is a fast growing field and graduates will be well prepared to start a career in any of the geographic information technology fields or to continue their education in graduate school.