Geographic Information Sciences Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact

Bob Watrel, Department Head
Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences
109 Wecota Hall
605-688-4511

Program Information

Geographic Information Science concerns the use of geographic information and data acquired from satellites and airborne platforms, and from ground based measurements and surveys of human activity and the environment. Geographic Information Science students learn how to work with geospatial data to study relationships, patterns, and trends. In the U.S. the explosion of geospatial data and their increasing use in business, government, and people’s everyday lives has led to a growing demand for qualified Geographic Information Science graduates. Geospatial science is developing rapidly, associated with developments in mobile, satellite and airborne remote sensing, computational, and big data technologies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the minor in Geographic Information Sciences, students will:

• acquire foundational and specialized knowledge in both the physical and human worlds and their interconnectedness at different scales;
• effectively communicate geographical ideas using common media from the discipline (submitted samples might include maps, oral presentations, text, photos, illustrations, flowcharts, tables, graphs, graphics);
• engage in applied learning, laboratory, and/or field experiences;
• demonstrate the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and synthesize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial-temporal context.

Academic Requirements

Students must earn at least a “C” in each course used to meet the minor requirements.

Course Delivery Format

The Geographic Information Sciences program includes lecture, discussion, laboratory research, fieldwork, and travel, with limited online coursework.