Program: Geographic Information Sciences Minor - South Dakota State University

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 06, 2025

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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.

Course Delivery Format

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

Academic Requirements

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

Requirements for Geographic Information Sciences Minor: 18 Credits

Select from the following

Select 12 credits from the following. Credits: 12

GEOG 280 - Introduction to Remote Sensing Credits: 3
GEOG 372 - Introduction to GIS (COM) Credits: 2
GEOG 372L - Introduction to GIS Lab (COM) Credits: 1
GEOG 473 - GIS: Data Creation and Integration (COM) Credits: 2
GEOG 473L - GIS: Data Creation and Integration Lab (COM) Credits: 1
GEOG 474 - GIS: Vector and Raster Modeling Credits: 2
GEOG 474L - GIS: Vector and Raster Modeling Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 475 - GIS Applications Credits: 2
GEOG 475L - GIS Applications Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 483 - UAS Remote Sensing Credits: 2
GEOG 483L - UAS Remote Sensing Lab Credits: 1

Electives

Select six credits from the following courses. Credits: 6

CEE 225 - Principles of Environmental Science and Engineering Credits: 3
CSC 300 - Data Structures (COM) Credits: 3
GEOG 270 - Introduction to Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Credits: 3
GEOG 365 - Land Use and Planning Credits: 3
GEOG 383 - Cartography Credits: 2
GEOG 383L - Cartography Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 384 - Advanced Cartography Credits: 2
GEOG 384L - Advanced Cartography Studio Credits: 1
GEOG 415 - Environmental Geography and Sustainability Credits: 3
GEOG 471 - Programming for Geospatial Data Analysis Credits: 3
GEOG 476 - Web GIS Credits: 2
GEOG 476L - Web GIS Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 477 - Spatial Databases Credits: 2
GEOG 477L - Spatial Databases Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 480 - Satellite Remote Sensing Credits: 2
GEOG 480L - Satellite Remote Sensing Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 485 - Advanced Satellite Remote Sensing Credits: 2
GEOG 485L - Advanced Satellite Remote Sensing Lab Credits: 1
LA 342 - City Planning Credits: 3
PLAN 471 - Principles of State, Regional and Community Planning Credits: 3
RANG 321 - Wildland Ecosystems Credits: 3

Geographic Information Sciences Minor

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus, CloseOnlineClose