Geographic Information Science, M.S.

This program is offered through the College of Professional and International Education at a higher tuition rate.

The Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGISci) is designed to address the needs of individuals across the geospatial workforce who require focused and specialized training to become competitive and contribute to the range of positions in this diverse industry. This one-year 30-unit applied training program combines advanced technical and analytic training in the geospatial sciences with training in interpersonal and business skills. The program’s coursework is designed as a professional science masters to develop competencies essential for successful geospatial practitioners.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites include an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and experience comparable to the following:

a bachelor’s degree in geography with a minimum of one upper division course in geospatial techniques (geographic information science, cartography, and/or remote sensing); or
a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of one upper division course in geospatial techniques (geographic information science, cartography, and/or remote sensing); or
a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of one year of demonstrated work experience in a field with direct application of geospatial technologies.

University Requirements

Fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR);
Completion of 30 units of approved MSGISci graduate courses.
Overall GPA of 3.0 or better;
A grade of “C” or better in all program courses.

Program Requirements

Take the following courses:

GISC 601 - GIS Professionalism (1-4 units)
GISC 602 - Applied GIS (2-4 units)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GISC 601
GISC 603 - Cartographic Visualization (2-4 units)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GISC 601
GISC 604 - Enterprise GIS Development (2-4 units)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GISC 601
GISC 605 - Programming for Geospatial Professionals (2-4 units)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GISC 601
GISC 606 - Applied Remote Sensing (2-4 units)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GISC 601
GISC 607 - Project Orientation and Support (2 units)
Prerequisites/Corequisites: GISC 601 , GISC 602 , GISC 603 , GISC 604 , GISC 605 , GISC 606 ; or advisor consent.
GISC 608 - Applied Project (4 units)
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): GISC 601 , GISC 602 , GISC 603 , GISC 604 , GISC 605 , GISC 606 , and a letter grade or “RP” in GISC 607 ; or advisor consent.

Take one PPA/NSCI course or 3 units of advisor approved, professionally focused upper-division coursework.

Culminating Experience

The program culminates with an applied research experience. The research project allows students to actively apply and demonstrate the knowledge and skills that they have both brought to and acquired through the curriculum. Applied research topics will have relevant practical applications and will be informed by our network of GIScience professionals in the local workforce community. Topics may address spatial problems currently faced by members of our advisory board, our network of GISci professionals, or existing faculty research. Students will participate in the equivalent of 6 units of work on an applied research project to engage in a relevant hands-on research activity. Project reports will integrate the core competencies developed through the curriculum and reflect students’ integration of instruction.