Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a combination of modern technology and geographic data that provides insight, knowledge, and analysis to modern spatial problems. Cartography is the art, science, and technology of making and using maps. Together GIS and cartography provide indispensable tools for governance, society, commerce, and environmental management. The need for basic and applied research in these fields has never been greater and decision makers today rely on geospatial intelligence to manage natural and cultural resources, retail trade, coordinate emergency response, enforce laws, and conduct military operations.

Students with a background in GIS and cartography will find positions as GIS analysts, coordinators, and technicians, land information specialists, cartographers and cartographic illustrators, remote sensing analysts, surveyors, photogrammetric technicians, geospatial analysts and coordinators, and route inventory specialists.

Required Courses

In addition to the Core Courses, listed to the left, the Geographic Information Systems Option consists of the following courses.

Geography 377 Remote Sensing I Characteristics of aerial photographs and digital imagery. Use remote sensing materials to conduct resource inventories, and land use evaluation, and landform analysis. Geography 379 Remote Sensing II Learn principles of remote sensor technology and apply them to inventory earth resources, detect and monitor pollution, and measure other environmental phenomena. Use visual analysis and computer-assisted digital imaging processing techniques to interpret various types of remote sensor imagery. Geography 382 Dynamic Cartography Theory and practical applications of interactive mapping and hypermedia presentation. Survey of animated mapping, Web-based cartography, dynamic map displays and associated authoring tools within a multimedia environment. Geography 476 Geographic Information Systems I Develop, use and maintain a geographic-based spatial information system (GIS) for resource management. Acquire and assess spatial data. Compare raster and vector data models. Computer-based geographic data handling, analysis, interpretation, and display. Cartographic and spatial modeling. Geography 479 Geographic Information Systems II Intermediate and advanced geographic information systems (GIS) techniques; integrate medium and large scale digital databases, use rectified aerial and satellite geographic base data. Principles and development of complex environmental and cultural spatial modeling, GIS programming concepts and applications.

Geography 376 Statistical and Multimedia Cartography Statisitical manipulation and symbolization of spatial data for map presentation. Acquire and handle quantitative data within a multimedia mapping environment. OR Geography 386 Map Design and Production How the graphic elements of a map affect its physical and perceived structure. Graphic communication, design principles, and map production skills.

Geography 477 GIS Applications in Local Government Administration of land records and emergency management services using GIS technology. Fundamentals of GIS-based network and location analysis in relation to cadastral maps, zoning regulations, health services and emergency service infrastructure. OR Geography 481 GIS Database Design Modeling Effectively construct, integrate, design and implement geodatabases. Examine storage, cataloging, maintenance and use of geospatial data within practical applications. OR Geography 482 GIS Programming and Customization Customize GIS software for extended functionality and utility of the import, query, and display of geospatial information. Use and survey GIS programming languages to develop spatial applications and geographic models.

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