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 professional 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 evolutions of the field.
The major interweaves well with disciplines such as geography, urban and regional studies, computer science, statistics, mathematics, history, political science, anthropology, sociology, criminology, geology, biology, chemistry, engineering, and environmental studies. 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.
Required prerequisites
Introductory Requirement (1 cr)
Transfer students with 24 or more credits and current UMD students who change colleges to CLA are exempt from this requirement. New first-year students with 24 or more PSEO credits may request to be waived from this requirement.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community
(1.0-2.0 cr)
General Requirements
Program Requirements
1) A second field of study (either a minor or second major) is required.
2) Study abroad is encouraged for all students and the department makes every effort to facilitate such experiences.
Supporting Core (21 - 22 cr)
GEOG 1202 {Inactive}
[LE CAT8, LEIP CAT08, GLOBAL PER]
(3.0 cr)
or
GEOG 1205 - Our Globalizing World
[SOC SCI, GLOBAL PER]
(3.0 cr)
or
GEOG 1304 {Inactive}
[LE CAT6, LECD CAT06, SOC SCI]
(3.0 cr)
GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography
[LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN]
(4.0 cr)
or
EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems
[LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN]
(4.0 cr)
MATH 1290 - Calculus for the Natural Sciences
[LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
or
MATH 1296 - Calculus I
[LE CAT, LOGIC & QR]
(5.0 cr)
GIS 2552 - Mapping Our World
[LOGIC & QR]
(3.0 cr)
ES 4612 - Field Techniques and Research Design
(3.0 cr)
or
GEOG 4612 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
STAT 2411 - Statistical Methods
[LE CAT, LOGIC & QR]
(3.0 cr)
GIS Core (24 - 25 cr)
GIS 3563 - Geographic Information Science I: Theory and Analysis
(4.0 cr)
GIS 3564 - Geographic Information Science II: Applied GIS
(4.0 cr)
GIS 3580 - Earth Imagery
(4.0 cr)
GIS 4586 - Geoprocessing with Python
(4.0 cr)
or
GIS 4533 - Distributed Geographic Information Services: Mobile and Web Based Solutions
(4.0 cr)
GIS 4585 - Advanced GIS Analytics
(4.0 cr)
or
GIS 5581 - Digital Image Processing and Analysis
(4.0 cr)
GIS 3597 - Internship in GIS
(3.0-4.0 cr)
GIS 4909 - Professional Preparedness
(1.0 cr)
GIS Electives (8 cr)
Courses that satisfy the Supporting Core or GIS Core cannot also apply within the GIS Electives; however additional courses taken in either core may apply as GIS Electives.
Take 2 or more course(s) totaling 8 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
GIS 2xxx - 5xxx
Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)
WRIT 31xx - Adv Writing (3 cr)
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Credits: | 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000 |
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 |
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] |
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] |
Course Equivalencies: | GIS 2552/GEOG 2552 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ES 4612/GEOG 4612 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
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: | 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: | Every 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: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
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 |