Geospatial Science & Engineering

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Program Description

The Geospatial Science and Engineering PhD is a novel interdisciplinary program that integrates advanced coursework in the sciences and engineering with cutting-edge research to advance the emerging field of Geographic Information Sciences (GISc). The focus of GISc is on understanding geospatial data and transforming the data into relevant information through its acquisition, processing, characterization, analysis, and modeling. Core faculty of the GSE doctoral program consists of faculty in the Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence (http://globalmonitoring.sdstate.edu) and the Image Processing Laboratory in the department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (http://iplab2out.sdstate.edu/). Other participating departments include Civil & Environmental Engineering, Geography, and Natural Resource Management.

Students may declare one of the two specializations in Remote Sensing Geography or Remote Sensing Engineering; or they elect to pursue a degree in interdisciplinary geospatial science. This latter option provides flexibility to customize an interdisciplinary course of study.

We seek highly motivated students with strong backgrounds in the geospatial sciences or a closely-related field. Current faculty research interests range broadly, and include quantitative remote sensing, sensor design and calibration, land cover and land use change, geography, hydrology, landscape ecology, climate change, and fire science as well as applications of geospatial technologies in natural resource management, public health, agriculture, and other fields. Prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty members in their area of specialization to inquire about admission and funding opportunities. Prospective students may also contact Dr. Michael Wimberly, the program coordinator, for additional information.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy	60 Credit Plan
	90 Credit Plan

Core Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy

GSE 740 - Introduction to Geospatial Science and Engineering

Credits: 3

GSE 790 - Seminar in Geospatial Science and Engineering

Credits: 3
Specialization Coursework Credits: 6
Supporting Coursework Credits: 12-15

GSE 898 - Dissertation

Credits: 36

Additional Admission Requirements

Admission to the GSE program is competitive and limited by the availability of personnel, facilities, and funding necessary to provide quality graduate education. GSE is a multidisciplinary program with participating faculty members from several departments. The scope of the geospatial sciences is broad, and individual faculty members will only advise students within their particular area of specialization. Financial support for students is provided by individual faculty members through their research grants or other funding sources. Students can also bring their own funding, which could be obtained through a fellowship program or through the support of their employer. For these reasons, the application process is highly competitive, and meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission. In particular, the critical criterion for admission into the PhD program is that a GSE faculty member must agree to serve as the student’s advisor.

Before applying to the program, prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact individual faculty to identify prospective advisors, discuss their research interests and educational goals, and determine if graduate research assistantships are available. All applications must meet the admission criteria of the Graduate School before being accepted into the GSE program, and formal offers of graduate assistantships will not be made until students have been officially accepted by the Graduate School.

GRE: Required
TOEFL: Score of 525 paper-based, 197 computer-based, 71 Internet-based

Two letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the academic ability and professional competency of the applicant should be sent directly to the GSE graduate coordinator.

Applicants must provide a letter describing their research interests and academic goals in pursuing a Ph.D. and identifying one or more faculty members as potential advisors. The letter of intent should be sent directly to the GSE graduate coordinator.

General Requirements (PhD)

Graduate students should consult with the Graduate Coordinator before registering for graduate work.

See Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements.

Course Offerings

Geospatial Science and Engineering (GSE) Course Offerings