Geographic Information Systems - Bachelor's Degree

Program Overview

This Bachelor of Geographic Information Systems program provides a comprehensive understanding of GIS project management, statistical analysis, and emerging trends. Students will develop skills in designing and executing independent research projects, applying geospatial technology to real-world problems, and exploring advanced topics such as open-source GIS and mobile applications. The program prepares graduates for careers in various industries, including business, engineering, environmental sciences, and healthcare.

Program Outline

Outline:

• GIS427 - Project Management:
This course will focus on skills pertaining to issues surrounding the management of GIS projects from start to finish. Emphasis areas will include description of the project work environment, organizational skills and tools, deliverable oriented performance appraisals, leadership, and team orientation.
• GIS302
• GIS303
• GIS310
• GIS329
• GIS318
• GIS323
• GIS306
• GIS307
• GIS492 - Bachelor of Geographic Information Systems Thesis:
This course involves the design and planning of an independent research project. Tasks include a literature review of the background information, experimental design, data acquisition and management, analysis, and technical reporting (written, visual, and oral). Students will have the opportunity to apply geospatial technology theory and skills to a real-world project with an experienced supervisor. Course deliverables will include a project proposal, a proposal poster presentation, four progress reports, a completed geospatial product, a final thesis document, and a thesis defense seminar.
• GIS435 - Statistics and Spatial Data Management:
This course is a two-part course that starts with a review of essential statistical techniques and secondly focuses on statistical approaches used in spatial analyses. Emphasis will be placed on integrating practical examples into course exercises and projects. Basic statistical concepts of exploring data, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, one sample, two sample tests, regression, ANOVA, and model building will be addressed using real data and a variety of computer software. Students will explore geostatistical functions such as interpolation, point pattern analysis, kernel density estimation, kriging, and trend surface analysis in the second part of the course.
• GIS437 - Emerging Trends In GIS:
This course will focus on exposing learners to practice a variety of current, high-level, and technical topics with a focus on the following main areas: Open Source GIS, GIS in the Cloud, mobile applications, ArcGIS Pro, and Augmented Reality. In addition, learners may be exposed to integrating ArcGIS functionality within Microsoft Office products, gaming, the incorporation of time (4D), and a general reliance on Location Based Services. Topics may change as industry demands.

Careers:

Flexible and adaptable, GIS can be used in a variety of different scenarios, to make evidence-based decisions, understand trends, analyze data, effectively communicate a message, and visually tell a story. Be a specialist in demand in this field that touches a variety of industries from business to health care and environmental sciences. It can be used as a tool within almost every industry, including:

• Businesses like market-driven banking, ultimate client service, and asset management
• Engineering like transportation planning, disaster management, use of historical data, and terrain analysis
• Urban, rural, and community planning
• Climate research, flood damage estimation
• Wildlife conservation, natural resource planning, water management
• Resource development and land management
• News and entertainment support, telecom, and network services
• Government administration, taxation
• Health and medical research
• Law enforcement, accident analysis