Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) Major

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

(See also Geography)

Faculty

Professor White, Head; Distinguished Professor C. Gritzner; Professors Berg, Cochrane, J. Gritzner, Hansen, Henebry, Napton, Roy, Wimberly, Zhang; Associate Professor Watrel; Assistant Professor Millett; Adjunct Faculty Bliss, Eidenshink, Fosnight, Fouberg, Gallo, Giri, Holm, Liu, Loveland, Vogelmann, Wood, Yang, Zhu; Professors Emeritus Hogan and Sandness. Distinguished Professor Emeritus C. Gritzner.

Program

Geographic Information Sciences (GISc) is the science of geographic and spatial analysis. It is concerned with the basic elements of spatial information including data acquisition, description, manipulation, analysis, modeling, interpretation, and presentation. The knowledge gained from GISc is used to help make decisions about spatial phenomena that are distributed on the earth’s surface. This major includes the necessary courses to prepare the graduate to use the tools of GISc in business or governmental agencies.

The GISc graduate will be able to apply the tools of GISc to analyze spatial data in the natural and social sciences. This program gives students an opportunity to become professionals in a career area that has been growing and will continue to expand in opportunities. GISc is a highly technical field. Graduates will find themselves on the cutting edge of an important sub-discipline and will be able to find highly rewarding and remunerative jobs.

The Department of Geography provides coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science degrees in Geographic Information Sciences and Geography. The Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Sciences major requires 41 credit hours and includes GEOG 131, 132, 200, 210, 382, 383, 483, 484, 487, 488 and 489. MATH 120 and STAT 281 are also required and included in the 41 credit hours.

Minors in Geography and Geographic Information Sciences are also offered by the Department.

A Certificate in Geographic Information Sciences is available to those who hold a bachelor’s degree in areas other than geography.

A Ph.D. in Geospatial Science and Engineering is now available. Geography faculty participate in that doctoral program as teachers and advisers.

Click here for information about the Geographic Information Sciences Center of Excellence.

Requirements for Geographic Information Sciences Major

Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Sciences

System General Education Requirements*: 30

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
, and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences Credits: 6

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 8-9

Goal #1 Land and Natural Resource Stewardship Credits: 3
Goal #2 Personal Wellness Credits: 2-3
Goal #3 Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness Credits: (not GEOG) 3

College Requirements: 11

Humanities Credits: 3
Natural Sciences Credits: 8

Major Requirements: 41

GEOG 131-131L - Physical Geography: Weather and Climate and Lab Credits: 4
GEOG 132-132L - Physical Geography: Natural Landscapes and Lab Credits: 4
GEOG 200 - Introduction to Human Geography * ** (G) Credits: 3
GEOG 210 - World Regional Geography * ** (COM) (G) Credits: 3
GEOG 382 - Geographic Research Methods (AW) Credits: 3
GEOG 383-383L - Cartography and Lab Credits: 3
GEOG 483-483L - Air Photo Interpretation and Lab Credits: 3
GEOG 484-484L - Remote Sensing and Lab Credits: 3
GEOG 487 - Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3
GEOG 488-588 - Geographic Information Systems II Credits: 3
GEOG 489-589 - Geographic Information Systems III Credits: 3
MATH 120 - Trigonometry * (COM) Credits: 3
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) Credits: 3

Electives: 37-38

Upper Division courses in Geography Credits: 15

Total Required Credits: 128

Total 128 credits, 35 credits in Geography, minimum 18 upper division credits. GEOG 382 meets the Advanced Writing Requirement.

Note:

Students must earn at least a “C” in each course used to meet the departmental requirements of all majors, minors, and certificates.

Curriculum Notes:

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.