School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Geospatial Information Sciences (BS)
Geospatial Information Science (or GIScience) is the study of relationships between phenomena in space and time. In recent years, powerful new technologies and techniques have emerged that greatly improve our ability to acquire, archive, analyze, and communicate information regarding people, places, and other things on or near the Earth's surface. These same technologies and techniques allow us to combine this information into multi-tiered databases describing the physical, social, and other aspects of all or portions of the Earth. Such databases can then be analyzed in novel ways that take the data's explicit spatial (or locational) nature into account. The insights produced by analyzing these types of databases are revolutionizing many fields of science, government, and business. Currently, commonplace consumer products such as web-based mapping systems and GPS units that incorporate locational information are directly impacting the everyday lives of ordinary individuals.
Graduates of the Bachelors of Science in Geospatial Information Science program will understand the logical, mathematical, and technological foundations for compiling and analyzing spatial data. They will be skilled in solving geospatial problems, enabling them to move into professional roles handling the geospatial needs of typical corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations. The graduates will not only be skilled in the use of common GIScience software systems, but also will understand the underlying principles upon which software systems are based. This will allow them to transfer their knowledge from one software system to another, to expand the capabilities of these systems, and most importantly, to view geospatial problems as issues that can be solved by applying basic theories, techniques and methodologies.
Mission and Objectives
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences program is to provide students with a rigorous understanding of the fundamental theories and concepts underlying GIScience, as well as to provide them with extensive hands-on experience with contemporary GIScience hardware and software. The goal of the program is to give students a firm grasp of the theories, ideas, and techniques that underlay software and hardware systems for the compilation and analysis of spatially referenced data, and thus provide them with a foundation of knowledge and skill that transcends any individual piece of software or hardware. Graduates of this program will be able to successfully compete for professional positions within GIScience and related fields, and be admitted into the best graduate schools globally.
Students within the program will:
- Demonstrate their understanding of the underlying theories, ideas, concepts and techniques of GIScience.
- Master contemporary computer hardware and software systems commonly employed in GIScience.
- Demonstrate problem solving skills that employ their understanding of theories, ideas and concepts as well as their mastery of GIScience software and hardware.
Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: Yongwan Chun, Daniel A. Griffith, Dohyeong Kim, David J. Lary, Fang Qiu, May Yuan
Associate Professor: Michael Tiefelsdorf
Assistant-Professor: Elías Cisneros
Professors Emeriti: Brian J. L. Berry, Ronald Briggs
Associate-Professor-of-Instruction: Muhammad Rahman
Lecturer: Bryan Chastain
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses (see advisor)
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
MATH 1325 Applied Calculus I
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses (see advisor)
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Choose two courses from the following:
ENVR 2302 The Global Environment2
or GEOG 2302 The Global Environment2
or GEOS 2302 The Global Environment2
GEOS 1303 Physical Geology
NATS 1311 The Universe, and Everything Else
NATS 2333 Energy, Water, and the Environment
PHYS 1301 College Physics I
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses (see advisor)
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses (see advisor)
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses (see advisor)
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses (see advisor).
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Choose one course from the following:
CRIM 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRIM 1307 Introduction to Crime and Criminology
ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics
GEOG 2303 World Regional Geography2
SOC 1301 Introduction to Sociology
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses (see advisor)
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
EPPS 2301 Research Design in the Social and Policy Sciences
EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences2
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Core courses (see advisor)
II. Major Requirements: 39 semester credit hours
Major Preparatory Courses: 6 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
ENVR 2302 The Global Environment2
or GEOG 2302 The Global Environment2
or GEOS 2302 The Global Environment2
EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences2
GEOG 2303 World Regional Geography2
GISC 2305 Spatial Thinking and Data Analytics
or GEOS 2305 Spatial Thinking and Data Analytics
or GISC 2307 Digital Earth
or GEOS 2307 Digital Earth
GISC 2309 Principles of Geospatial Information Sciences
or GEOG 2309 Principles of Geospatial Information Sciences
or GEOS 2309 Principles of Geospatial Information Sciences
Major Core Courses: 15 semester credit hours
GISC 2326 Computer Mapping and Geovisualization
GISC 4381 Spatial Data Science
GISC 4325 Introduction to Remote Sensing
or GEOS 4325 Introduction to Remote Sensing
GISC 4382 Applied Geographic Information Systems
GISC 4386 Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions
or ENVR 4386 Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions
Choose 6 courses from the following:
GISC 4317 Python Programming for Social Science
GISC 4328 Drone and Remote Sensing
GISC 4363 Internet Mapping and Information Processing
GISC 4384 Health and Environmental GIS
GISC 4385 Advanced Applications in GIS
GEOG 3331 Smart and Sustainable Cities
or ENVR 3331 Smart and Sustainable Cities
GEOG 3357 Spatial Dimensions of Health and Disease
GEOG 3359 Human Migration and Mobility
GEOG 3370 The Global Economy
GEOG 3372 Population and Development
GEOG 3377 Urban Planning and Policy
or PA 3377 Urban Planning and Policy
MATH 2413 Differential Calculus
III. Elective Requirements: 39 semester credit hours
Prescribed Electives: 15 semester credit hours
All students are required to take at least fifteen semester credit hours of prescribed upper-division elective courses.
Free Electives: 24 semester credit hours
This requirement may be satisfied with lower- and upper-division courses from any field of study.
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
Incoming freshman must enroll and complete requirements of EPPS 1110.
Minors
Students must take a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for the minor, 12 of which must be upper-division semester credit hours. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). Semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective semester credit hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor.
Minor in Geography
18 semester credit hours
Required Courses: 9 semester credit hours
GEOG 2302 The Global Environment
GEOG 2303 World Regional Geography
GEOG 2309 Principles of Geospatial Information Sciences
Upper-Division Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Any upper-division Geography (GEOG) or Geographic Information Sciences (GISC) courses, excluding GEOG 4V97.
Minor in Geospatial Information Sciences (GIS)
18 semester credit hours
Required Courses: 9 semester credit hours
GISC 2305 Spatial Thinking and Data Analytics
or GISC 2307 Digital Earth
GISC 2309 Principles of Geospatial Information Sciences
or GEOG 2309 Principles of Geospatial Information Sciences
GISC 4325 Introduction to Remote Sensing
Upper-Division Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Any upper-division Geography (GEOG) or Geographic Information Sciences (GISC) courses, excluding GEOG 4V97.
1. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
2. A Major requirement that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours are counted in Core Curriculum.