Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Duluth Campus
Geographic Information Science B.S.Geography & Philosophy
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Because of the growing awareness across disciplines of the strategic value of Geographic Information Science (GIS), particularly through its ability to understand better the complexity of economic, environmental, and social systems, the US Department of Labor identifies GIS as one of nine “high growth industries." For example, GIS has been instrumental to emergency managers in the face of natural hazards, who utilize it to determine how communities can best mitigate such disasters. Urban planners utilize GIS to optimize existing systems and services, while forecasting where they will be most needed in the future based on emerging population and growth trends. Remote sensing allows land managers to monitor environmental changes via satellite and drone technologies, and inform adaptation strategies for industry and communities alike. Spatial analysis provides epidemiologists with the tools necessary to track and forecast the spread of diseases, helping health care officials limit their impact. In each of these cases, GIS professionals use geospatial technologies to create sustainable solutions to environmental, economic, and societal problems.
The mission of the GIS BS program at UMD is to train future GIS professionals by providing theoretical and practical instruction, modeling and mentoring, and real-world professional experiences, guided by the GIS&T body of knowledge and the GISP code of ethics.
Students learn both the basic and the latest methods to collect, manage, analyze and visualize data, including scripting methods for web-delivery of geographical information and automation of geo-processes. And they learn how to put these methods into action through application classes, community-based research projects and internships.
The GIS program is assessed annually by students, faculty and GIS professionals conjointly, to ensure it remains relevant and keeps in touch with the fast-paced evolution of the field.
The major interweaves well with disciplines such as environment, sustainability and geography, computer science, statistics, mathematics, history, political science, anthropology, sociology, criminology, geology, biology, chemistry and engineering. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of GIS applications, students are encouraged to double major.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
Program Requirements
1. A second field of study (either a minor, another major or dual degree).
2. Global experience is a UMD goal for all students, international study is encouraged. Talk with an academic or faculty advisor to explore academic options for fulfilling your degree requirements through study abroad.
Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)
WRIT 31xx - Adv Writing (3 cr)
Geography (3 cr)
GEOG 1205 - Our Globalizing World
[SOC SCI, GLOBAL PER]
(3.0 cr)
Mathematics and Statistics (3-5 cr)
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
·
MATH 1160 - Finite Mathematics and Introduction to Calculus
[LE CAT, LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
·
MATH 1290 - Calculus for the Natural Sciences
[LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
·
MATH 1296 - Calculus I
[LE CAT, LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
·
STAT 2411 - Statistical Methods
[LE CAT, LOGIC & QR]
(3.0 cr)
General Programming (3-5 cr)
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
·
CS 1121 - Introduction to Programming in Visual BASIC.NET
[LE CAT, LOGIC & QR]
(3.0 cr)
·
CS 1151 - Introduction to Programming in Python
(3.0 cr)
·
CS 1411 - Introduction to Programming in Matlab
(4.0 cr)
·
CS 1511 - Computer Science I
[LE CAT]
(5.0 cr)
·
CS 1581 - Honors: Computer Science I
[LE CAT]
(5.0 cr)
GIS Electives (8 cr)
Additional courses taken from within the program will apply to this requirement. This course list excludes: GIS 5533, 5585, 5586.
Take 1 - 2 course(s) from the following:
·
GIS 3574 - Geospatial Analysis with Software-as-a-Service
(4.0 cr)
·
GIS 4585 - Advanced GIS Analytics
(4.0 cr)
·
GIS 5572 - Environmental Application of GIS
(4.0 cr)
·
GIS 5581 - Digital Image Processing and Analysis
(4.0 cr)
·
GIS 2xxx - 5xxx
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EES 1110 FST 1409 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math1290/1296/1596 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math1290/1296/1596 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FMIS 2225/CS 1121 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CS 1511/1581 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CS 1511/1581 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GIS 2552/GEOG 2552 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 -4.0 [max 8.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -2.0 [max 8.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |