The Geographic Information Science (GIS) minor provides foundational coursework and training in GIScience complementary to a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to environmental science, biology, archaeology, homeland security, criminal justice, sociology, public administration, history, business, and computer science. The GIS minor provides students an understanding of core geospatial concepts and techniques, in addition to application of these concepts and skills to real world problem solving. Required coursework emphasizes foundational principles of GIScience, including projections and coordinate systems, cartography and map design, geodatabase management, geoprocessing, and programming. Elective coursework provides opportunities for students to advance their GIScience knowledge and skills with coursework in geospatial modeling and analysis, remote sensing, global positioning systems, and critical and participatory GIS, among others.
GIS minors may count Core courses satisfying minor requirements as also satisfying their respective Core requirements, up to two Pillar courses and one Perspectives course. The following are the courses in this minor that may be used in this way:
- Either CMSC 140 or MATH 171 fulfills the Quantitative Reasoning Pillar requirement.
Courses satisfying minor requirements that are designated as Civitae Core courses subsequent to the print deadline of this Catalog will be eligible to also satisfy Civitae Core requirements, subject to the above rules.
Students who are interested in pursuing the GIS minor should contact the chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Grades below C- will not apply toward the fulfillment of minor requirements.
