Geographic Information Science (MS)

Summary

The Geographic Information Science (MS GISc) program provides a cost-effective educational option for in-state, out-of-state, and international students who are seeking a higher degree in GISc. We strive to meet the growing demand for higher-level academic preparation for GISc in geography and related disciplines. Our MS GISc program offers comprehensive courses on geographic information systems, remote sensing, GPS, spatial analysis, geospatial modeling and simulation, geodatabase, programming, web mapping, transportation analysis, and more. In addition to core courses, students also can take elective courses related to their area of interest. Students will be able to enhance their geospatial technological skills and the ability to deploy such technologies to a variety of real-world problems. The thesis, APP, and coursework-only options will allow students to complete their degrees in a flexible way. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

32

Total Credits

32

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

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Program Requirements

Common Core

* Thesis Option: 32 credits minimum, Alternative Plan Paper Option: 34 credits minimum, Coursework-only Option: 36 Credits minimum.

This course is designed to give students an overview of geodatabase. The course includes both lecture and lab components covering the fundamentals of geodatabase architecture/design and techniques, as well as hands-on practice with computer-based software package and GIS program.

Prerequisites: none

This application-oriented course aims to provide foundational knowledge on concepts, theories, techniques, and tools in the context of modeling and simulation of geographical data. Emphasis will be on popular vector and raster based models, Land Change Modeler (LCM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Geosimulation, Agent Based Modeling (ABM), Segregation models, Markov models, Cellular Automata (CA), Game of Life, etc. Furthermore, as part of the class project, students will have opportunities to design and implement geographical data driven spatio-temporal models. The primary software programs that will be used for the hands-on activities are ArcGIS, IDRISI TerrSet 2020, and NetLogo.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to give students a deeper understanding of GIScience. The course includes both lecture and lab components covering advanced applications in spatial analysis/modeling, routing/logistics, programming, as well as hands-on practice with computer-based software package and GIS program.

Prerequisites: none

This course allows graduate students to develop advanced remote sensing knowledge and technology that are needed to conduct in-depth analysis and solve challenging problems. The major topics to be covered include advanced remote sensing data compositing, enhancement, data correction, data fusion, scientific analysis, and spatial modeling techniques; surface reflectance and land surface temperature calculations; land and water mapping and assessment; remote sensing indices and applications; high spatial-resolution and hyperspectral as well as RADAR, LiDAR, and UAV data processing and analysis techniques; canopy biochemical characteristics; and vegetation cover, biomass, and canopy structure assessment.

Prerequisites: none

Research/Methods Course(s)

Discussion and analysis of contemporary issues in the field of Geographic Techniques. Designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems/issues that geographers will encounter in their professional practice. Topics vary according to instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Restricted Electives

* Restricted Electives, Unrestricted Electives, and Capstone Course must add up to a minimum 17 credits (Thesis Option) or a minimum 19 credits (Alternate Plan Paper Option) or a minimum 21 credits (Coursework-only Option). Consult with your advisor.

Choose 12 - 18 Credit(s).

Four major sets of ideas will be covered: (1) Introduction to Spatial Organization, (2) Network Analysis, (3) Allocation Methods, and (4) Urban Transportation. The emphasis is on these approaches to understanding the geography of transport by description, explanation, and normative or optimal methods.

Prerequisites: none

This course will cover basic strategies for conducting field surveys and gathering from the real world data appropriate to mapping the earth's surface. Emphasis will be upon simple but reliable techniques, ranging from compass-and-pacing to global positioning systems (GPS).

Prerequisites: none

Comprehensive examination of GIS for manipulation and analysis of spatially-referenced data, including data structure and organization, input and output problems, data management, and strategies for analytical work.

Prerequisites: none

This is an introductory course on theories and techniques of remote sensing. Focus will be placed on providing students with a general overview of the application of remote sensing to practical problems, and hands-on experiencee for image processing and analysis.

Prerequisites: none

This course will introduce students to the fundamental knowledge and techniques of open-source GIS and geospatial data analysis. Students will learn the basic and advanced GIS functions in QGIS, a popular open-source GIS with advanced capabilities. The major topics that will be covered include open-source GIS data standards; working with projections and available GIS data; making maps in QGIS; spatial and attribute data query, editing, and manipulation; multi-criteria overlay analysis; raster image styling and analysis; 3D and terrain analysis; spatial pattern analysis; spatial interpolation; automating map creation and complex workflows using processing models; customize and extend QGIS.

Prerequisites: none

Descriptive statistics, probability, hypothesis testing, introduction to non-parametric statistics, correlation, introduction to regression analysis, spatial statistics and principles of data representation in graphs, tables and statistical results.

Prerequisites: none

Survey of theoretical frameworks for spatial analysis and geographic quantitative methods. Includes basic and advanced spatial analysis principles and methods for studying and examining spatial patterns. Designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for carrying our research projects that demand spatial point pattern analysis and analysis of areal units.

Prerequisites: none

This offering will include supervised project work in raster-based and/or vector-based GIS, using problems and data drawn from local or regional agencies or other professional-level organizations with whom the Geography Department maintains a relationship. Students must have completed one of the prerequisite courses, or professional-level experience.

Prerequisites: none

This course teaches students to reconstruct past landscapes and identify environmental hazards related to historical land use using GIS and remote sensing software. Applications include the identification of hazardous waste sites, wetland drainage, bluff erosion and other environmental hazards relevant to local history research, environmental consulting, archaeology, resource management, real estate, planning and civil engineering. Students will learn to use and interpret historical air photos and maps, digital imagery and LiDAR in problem-solving contexts and to report research findings in effective written, graphic and verbal presentation formats used by government agencies and private consulting firms.

Prerequisites: GEOG 373 and GEOG 673

This course provides students as well as natural resource professionals the opportunity to develop knowledge of natural resources management based on GIS science. Detailed examples and discussions of GIS operations and analyses associated with managing natural resources are provided. Weekly labs and the final project will focus on various GIS applications in this field. For example, integrating GIS and remote sensing techniques for sustainable land development, conservation biology, forest, water, wetland, wildlife, and agriculture management. Students will also learn how to combine GIS concepts with GIS software skills and apply them to real-world natural resources management tasks.

Prerequisites: none

In this course, instruction is provided on foundational knowledge related to cloud mapping and visualization of geographical data. In addition, primarily through ArcGIS Online cloud platform, students will be introduced to the concepts of Hosted Layers, Web Maps, Predominance Maps, Web Apps, Story Maps, Web AppBuilder, Widgets, Geodata Visualization, ArcGIS Arcade Expressions, Custom Pop-ups, 3D Mapping and Visualization, ArcGIS Scene Viewer, Visualize Temporal Change, Real-time Mapping, Mapping Internet of Things, Landsat Explorer, and Business Analyst. Cloud mapping and visualization theories and techniques are introduced through a combination of lectures, hands-on exercises, reading materials, and individual or team projects.

Prerequisites: none

Foundational knowledge related to mapping and analysis of geospatial data using both open source and enterprise level Web Mapping and Web GIS platforms. Students will learn how to use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Google Maps API, ArcGIS Online, and ArcGIS API for JavaScript to store, retrieve, manage, analyze, and display geographical information. Students will be introduced to the concepts of mobile GIS technologies and Web based 3D mapping.

Prerequisites: none

This is an introductory course of GIS programming. It consists of lecture and laboratory components covering fundamentals of GIS programming concepts and techniques, as well as hands-on practice with Model builder and Python supported by ESRI'S ArcGIS platforms.

Prerequisites: none

Unrestricted Electives

* Restricted Electives, Unrestricted Electives, and Capstone Course must add up to a minimum 17 credits (Thesis Option) or a minimum 19 credits (Alternate Plan Paper Option) or a minimum 21 credits (Coursework-only Option). Consult with your advisor.

Choose 0 - 6 Credit(s).

Discussion and analysis of contemporary issues in the field of physical geography. Designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems/issues that geographers will encounter in their professional practice. Topics vary according to instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Discussion and analysis of contemporary issues in the field of cultural geography. Designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems/issues that geographers will encounter in their professional practice. Topics vary according to instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Discussion and analysis of contemporary issues in the field of regional geography. Designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems/issues that geographers will encounter in their professional practice. Topics vary according to instructor.

Prerequisites: none

A study assignment for a student to meet specific objectives for the student's needs. It could be a term paper, readings, reports, field report, or mapping project.

Prerequisites: none

Required of MS professional degree candidates. To acquaint students with the geographer's perspective and methods of inquiry; to examine types of geographic research; to develop student's ability in producing research papers; to give students experience in writing research papers and to provide students experience in professional oral presentation.

Prerequisites: none

The history and development of geographic thought from ancient times to the late 20th century.

Prerequisites: none

This course surveys various environmental issues within the United States with an emphasis on state and federal legislation and policies. The forces prompting environmental legislation, its subsequent implementation and modification by the courts, and various perspectives about the problems, their possible solutions, and the assessment of current efforts are discussed.

Prerequisites: none

An applied work and learning practicum. The student will provide a written report on their own learning. The work supervisor will be consulted regarding students' accomplishments.

Prerequisites: none

* Course Outside Geography : Choose 0 - 4 Credit(s).
One course (either 5XX or 6XX level course - up to 4 credits) from relevant program outside of Geography may be used toward unrestricted electives as approved by the advisor.

Capstone Course

* Restricted Electives, Unrestricted Electives, and Capstone Course must add up to a minimum 17 credits (Thesis Option) or a minimum 19 credits (Alternate Plan Paper Option) or a minimum 21 credits (Coursework-only Option). Consult with your advisor.
* GEO 699 is for Thesis Option students who plan to continue in a doctoral program.
* GEO 694 is for Alternate Plan Paper Option students who plan to complete a research project based on their coursework or internship.
* GEO 679 is for Coursework-only Option students who plan a career in business or industry.
Choose GEOG 699 or GEOG 694 or GEOG 679

GIS Practicum course is specifically designed to fulfil the capstone requirement of MS GISc coursework-only option. The course builds upon concepts, theories, and tools presented in other MS GISc classes. This course focuses on project management, data models, advanced geo-processing tools, GIS modeling and simulation, and scenario-based GIS solutions. In this course, students will plan, design, and implement an applied GIS project in collaboration with professional organizations. At the end of the semester, students would prepare a poster, present their work to the class, and write a report.

Prerequisites: none

Student culminating experience in lieu of a thesis.

Prerequisites: none

A culminating project related to basic or applied research

Prerequisites: none

Degree Plan

The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 10 Credits

This course is designed to give students an overview of geodatabase. The course includes both lecture and lab components covering the fundamentals of geodatabase architecture/design and techniques, as well as hands-on practice with computer-based software package and GIS program.

Prerequisites: none

This application-oriented course aims to provide foundational knowledge on concepts, theories, techniques, and tools in the context of modeling and simulation of geographical data. Emphasis will be on popular vector and raster based models, Land Change Modeler (LCM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Geosimulation, Agent Based Modeling (ABM), Segregation models, Markov models, Cellular Automata (CA), Game of Life, etc. Furthermore, as part of the class project, students will have opportunities to design and implement geographical data driven spatio-temporal models. The primary software programs that will be used for the hands-on activities are ArcGIS, IDRISI TerrSet 2020, and NetLogo.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 10 Credits

This course is designed to give students a deeper understanding of GIScience. The course includes both lecture and lab components covering advanced applications in spatial analysis/modeling, routing/logistics, programming, as well as hands-on practice with computer-based software package and GIS program.

Prerequisites: none

This course allows graduate students to develop advanced remote sensing knowledge and technology that are needed to conduct in-depth analysis and solve challenging problems. The major topics to be covered include advanced remote sensing data compositing, enhancement, data correction, data fusion, scientific analysis, and spatial modeling techniques; surface reflectance and land surface temperature calculations; land and water mapping and assessment; remote sensing indices and applications; high spatial-resolution and hyperspectral as well as RADAR, LiDAR, and UAV data processing and analysis techniques; canopy biochemical characteristics; and vegetation cover, biomass, and canopy structure assessment.

Prerequisites: none

Second Year

Fall - 10 Credits

Discussion and analysis of contemporary issues in the field of Geographic Techniques. Designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems/issues that geographers will encounter in their professional practice. Topics vary according to instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 6 Credits

GIS Practicum course is specifically designed to fulfil the capstone requirement of MS GISc coursework-only option. The course builds upon concepts, theories, and tools presented in other MS GISc classes. This course focuses on project management, data models, advanced geo-processing tools, GIS modeling and simulation, and scenario-based GIS solutions. In this course, students will plan, design, and implement an applied GIS project in collaboration with professional organizations. At the end of the semester, students would prepare a poster, present their work to the class, and write a report.

Prerequisites: none

Policies

Admission Requirements

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required. If the GPA is less than 3.0, the student's Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be used while considering the application for admission. Applicants having grade point averages below the minimum who present convincing evidence of potential for success may be considered for provisional admission. Applicants must submit: a professional goal statement essay in which the applicant documents their experience with and passion for the field, official transcripts from all universities previously attended, three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's undergraduate academic performance and/or professional background and experience, and a professional résumé. Applicants must document previous proficiency with Geographic Information Science (GISc): successful completion of at least two courses in GISc with ‘B' or better grade is an acceptable standard. If English is not the students first language, proof of English language proficiency and a minimum TOEFL score of minimum 75 (within a minimum score of 15 in each section of the internet-based TOEFL test) or an IELTS score of at least 6.0 (total score), with a minimum of 5.0 in each category is required.

Combined BS, BA/MS GISc Program

Current undergraduate students interested in pursuing Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MS GISc) degree may be granted permission to double count up to 12 credits of GISc classes from the "Restricted Electives" list of MS GISc program toward both the undergraduate and the MS GISc program. To apply for this option, students must have completed their sophomore year, have and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, and declare their intent to complete the graduate program following the completion of the baccalaureate degree. If accepted, students must obtain special permission to register for double counted courses and will receive graduate student credit when the undergraduate degree has been conferred and they have been fully admitted to the MS GISc program. Please contact the department for detailed information.