2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog

Nov 08, 2024

2023-24 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Geographic Information Systems [GIS]

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The applied geography courses place a strong emphasis on computer literacy and spatial analysis skills in preparing students for careers in site assessment and demographic analysis. The Geography Department's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) computer lab features state-of-the-art hardware and software.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Discuss and apply the themes of geography, such as place, location, region, movement, or human-environment interaction.
Gather relevant information, evaluate it critically, and communicate it effectively.
Identify geographic problems, investigate those problems, and hypothesize solutions.
Apply appropriate GIS theory, analytical methods, or graphical tools to spatial problems.

Program Standard Grade Point Average

The major GPA is calculated by all courses identified in the college catalog as required for the major. In addition, this program has an established program standard GPA which may be used to determine progress in the program.

Program Standard GPA
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 in CAP 327, 328, or any GRY course
Geographic Information Systems Major Requirements
- 31 credits in CAP 327, 328, or any GRY course

A. Core in Geography: 22 credit hours

CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 110 - Physical Geography (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 120 - Cultural Geography (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 125 - Human Geography and Global Development (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 324 - Introduction to Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 400 - Geographical Analysis (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 440 - Seminar in Geography (3 cr. hr.)

B. Core in Geographic Information Technology: 12 credit hours

GRY 327 - Service Learning: Computer Mapping (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 328 - Geographic Information Systems (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 330 - Advanced GIS Techniques (4 cr. hr.)

C. Completion of one of the following:

Students must complete the requirements for one of the following four concentrations: Advanced Geospatial Applications (GIS_AGAP), Computer Techniques (GIS_CTEC), Demographics and Business Geographics (GIS_DBG), or Environmental Science (GIS_ENVS).

I. Advanced Geospatial Applications [GIS_AGAP]

Select 12 credit hours from the following:

GRY 326 - Computer Graphics in GIS (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 331 - Global Position System Technology (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 334 - Historical Geographic Information Systems (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 337 - Programming in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 341 - Advanced GIS and Crime (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 345 - Environmental Remote Sensing (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 348 - Web GIS (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 495 - Independent Study in Geography (3 or 4 cr. hr.)
GRY 499 - Internship in Applied Geography (3 cr. hr.)

II. Computer Techniques [GIS_CTEC]

CAP 201 - C Programming (3 cr. hr.)
MCS 186 - Introductory Programming (3 cr. hr.)

And select at least six credit hours from:

CAP 204 - Programming with Visual Basic (3 cr. hr.)
CAP 250 - Computer Practicum (1-2 cr. hr.)

III. Demographics and Business Geographics [GIS_DBG]

Select six credit hours from one of the combinations listed below:

And select at least six additional credit hours from the following:

CAP 240 - Intermediate Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
CAP 350 - Data Base Management Systems (3 cr. hr.)
and/or other advanced CAP courses in consultation with advisor that are not part of the CTEC concentration.

IV. Environmental Science [GIS_ENVS]

ENS 486 - Seminar in Environmental Science (3 cr. hr.)
EST 100 - Introduction to Environmental Studies (3 cr. hr.)

And select at least six credit hours from:

BIO 307 - Field Natural History (3 cr. hr.)
BIO 315 - Marine Biology (4 cr. hr.)
BIO 405 - Conservation Biology (3 cr. hr.)
BIO 412 - General Ecology (4 cr. hr.)
ECO 335 - Resource and Environmental Economics (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 261 - Physical Geology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 367 - Geomorphology (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 371 - Meteorology (4 cr. hr.)
GLY 397 - Physical Oceanography (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 390 - Hydrogeology (3 cr. hr.)
HLH 390 - Environmental Health and Ecology (3 cr. hr.)
HLH 391 - Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3 cr. hr.)
POL 242 - Environmental Policy (3 cr. hr.)
POL 308 - Environmental Law (3 cr. hr.)

D. Additional Requirements

Foreign language: 3 credit hours
General Education: 28-31 credit hours
Other elective course work: 43-46 credit hours

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120

Example of the bachelor's degree in GIS with an AGAP Concentration over four years

First Year Fall

CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 120 - Cultural Geography (3 cr. hr.)
POL 100 - Introduction to American Government and Politics (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

First Year Spring

CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 324 - Introduction to Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (3 cr. hr.)
GLY 261 - Physical Geology (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 221 - Social Geography (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Fall

GRY 110 - Physical Geography (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 125 - Human Geography and Global Development (3 cr. hr.)
GRY 328 - Geographic Information Systems (4 cr. hr.)
Foreign language 101 (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Spring

GLY 262 - Historical Geology (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 327 - Service Learning: Computer Mapping (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 345 - Environmental Remote Sensing (4 cr. hr.)
HIS 101 - The World Since 1500 (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 18

Third Year Fall

GRY 331 - Global Position System Technology (4 cr. hr.)
CAP 240 - Intermediate Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 13

Third Year Spring

GRY 337 - Programming in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 330 - Advanced GIS Techniques (4 cr. hr.)
GRY 370 - Will the World Provide? A Research Experience for Students (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Any writing intensive (3 cr. hr.)

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Geographic Information Systems [GIS]

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Standard Grade Point Average

A. Core in Geography: 22 credit hours

B. Core in Geographic Information Technology: 12 credit hours

C. Completion of one of the following:

I. Advanced Geospatial Applications [GIS_AGAP]

II. Computer Techniques [GIS_CTEC]

And select at least six credit hours from:

III. Demographics and Business Geographics [GIS_DBG]

Select:

Or select:

Or select:

And select at least six additional credit hours from the following:

IV. Environmental Science [GIS_ENVS]

And select at least six credit hours from:

D. Additional Requirements

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120

Example of the bachelor's degree in GIS with an AGAP Concentration over four years

First Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 15

First Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 18

Third Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 13

Third Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 17

Fourth Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 13

Fourth Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 12