A minor in GIS is also available for any student interested in developing in-demand skills working with this technology. You’ll learn how to map and analyze spatial data, which can complement a range of fields. Examples of students who might benefit from learning to work with GIS include:
- A biology major interested in mapping and understanding the factors that affect the distribution of invasive species
- A civil engineering major who wants to better understand and map multiple site conditions for a project
- A chemistry major seeking to document and map water sampling sites as well as the potential sources of water pollution
- A business or economics major who wants to find the ideal location for a new store or understanding variations in consumer demographics
- A political science major interested in mapping election results
- A sociology major interested in understanding spatial variations in social indicators
- A computer science major who wants to build the mapping applications and spatial databases that GIS runs on, turning location data into working software
- A data science major looking to add spatial analysis as a valuable skillset to develop models that incorporate location as a crucial dataset
The minor consists of 18 credits, with the following course requirements:
Geographic Information Systems Minor
Minimum 18 Cr.
Geography Foundation: 3–4 Cr.
Take one (1) of the following courses:
- GEO 101 – World Human Geography — 3 Cr.
- OR GEO 104 – Environmental Earth Science — 4 Cr.
GIS Core: 12–14 Cr.
- GEO 215 – Intro to Geographic Info Systems, Systems — 4 Cr.
- GEO 415 – Advanced Geographic Information Systems — 3 Cr.
Select one of the following:
- GEO 232 – Introduction to Python for Earth Sciences — 2 Cr.
- OR MET 330 – Meterological Computer Applications — 3 Cr.
Select one of the following:
- GEO 130 – Earth From Above — 4 Cr.
- OR GEO 330 – Remote Sensing of the Environment — 3 Cr.
GIS Electives: 3 Cr.
Take three (3) credits from the following options:
- GEO 225 – Cartography and Map Design — 3 Cr.
- GEO 285 – Natural Hazards — 3 Cr.
- GEO 315 – Environmental Applications of GIS — 3 Cr.
- GEO 316 – Internet Mapping & Web GIS — 3 Cr.
- GEO 486 – Internship in Geography — 1 Cr.
Note: If selecting GEO 486, the internship must involve GIS, remote sensing, or cartography.
