Master of Science in Geographic Information Science
This program is offered through theCollege of Continuing and Professional Education at a higher tuition rate.
The Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGISci) is designed to address the needs of individuals across the geospatial workforce who require focused and specialized training to become competitive and contribute to the range of positions in this diverse industry. This one-year 30-unit applied training program combines advanced technical and analytic training in the geospatial sciences with training in interpersonal and business skills. The program's coursework is designed to develop competencies essential for successful geospatial practitioners.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites include an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and experience comparable to the following:
- a bachelor's degree in geography with a minimum of one upper division course in geospatial techniques (geographic information science, cartography, and/or remote sensing); or
- a bachelor's degree in a related discipline with a minimum of one upper division course in geospatial techniques (geographic information science, cartography, and/or remote sensing); or
- a bachelor's degree in a related discipline with a minimum of one year of demonstrated work experience in a field with direct application of geospatial technologies.
University Requirements
- Completion of courses required to remove prerequisite deficiencies (see prerequisites above);
- Fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR);
- Completion of 30 units of approved MSGISci graduate courses.
Program Requirements
Take the following courses:
- GISC 601 Geospatial Professionalism (1)
Prerequisites: None
- GISC 602 Applied GIS (4)
Prerequisites/Corequisite: GISC 601
- GISC 603 Cartographic Visualization (4)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GISC 601
- GISC 604 Enterprise GIS Development (4)
Prerequisites/Corequisite: GISC 601
- GISC 605 GIS Development (4)
Prerequisites/Corequisite: GISC 601
- GISC 606 Applied Remote Sensing (4)
Prerequisites/Corequisite: GISC 601
- GISC 607 Project Orientation and Support (2)
Prerequisites: GISC 601, GISC 602, GISC 603, GISC 604, GISC 605, GISC 606; or advisor consent.
- GISC 608 Applied Project (4)
Prerequisites: GISC 601, GISC 602, GISC 603, GISC 604, GISC 605, GISC 606, and a grade of "C" or better in GISC 607; or advisor consent.
Take one PPA/NSCI course or 3 units of advisor approved, professionally focused upper-division coursework.
Culminating Experience
The program culminates with aan applied research experience. The research project allows students to actively apply and demonstrate the knowledge and skills that they have both brought to and acquired through the curriculum. Applied research topics will have relevant practical applications and will be informed by our network of GIScience Professionals in the local workforce community. Topics may address spatial problems currently faced by members of our advisory board, our network of GISci professionals, or existing faculty research. Students will participate in the equivalent of 6-units of work on an applied research project to engage them in a relevant hands-on research activity. Project reports will integrate the core competencies developed through the curriculum and reflect students' integration of instruction. The project deliverable will include a written project report and oral presentation.
