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College of Science and the Environment

You are here: Home / College of Science and the Environment / School of Natural Resources & Environment / Geographic Information Science
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Geographic Information Science

Learn the skills that are in high demand

General Description

The geospatial programs are support programs to augment your bachelor’s degree. Completion of one of these programs will provide students with a credential that is in high demand in many different disciplines/industries. The program provides a well-rounded suite of skills including: field-based primary data collection using a variety of survey and global positioning devices; hands-on experience with a variety of geographic information systems including ESRI’s suite of tools; the basics of geospatial analysis; and advanced skill development in interpretation of remote sensing data and aerial photographs, spatial statistics, and geospatial programming. Students may pursue any of the programs in the context of their major.

First takeoff for Kaila Schwanitz (B.S. in Environmental Geology, 2021) as PMC of the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 UAS at Dunbar Park, MI on July 16, 2019.

“The GIS program thrives on teaching students through real-world situations and presenting reasonable solutions in a clear way. It not only works through troubleshooting the software itself (learning the in’s and out’s of the software package), but thoroughly going through the right practices for GIS projects, knowing what to do to accomplish a project goal. The program helped me prepare myself for the working world. ”

Matthew Bell2019 Alumni with B.S. in Geology

Geospatial Technology Associate Degree Requirements

Geospatial Technology Core Requirements (28-32 credits):

  • EVRN131 Introduction to GIS and GPS (3 cr)
  • EVRN225 Intermediate GIS (3 cr)
  • EVRN325 Geospatial Analysis (3 cr)
  • EVRN355 GIS Programming and Applications (4 cr)
  • EVRN365 Applied Geospatial Technologies (4 cr)
  • EVRN445 Remote Sensing and Spatial Statistics (4 cr)
  • CSCI105 Introduction to Computer Programming (3 cr)

Complete one course from the following four:

  • BIOL284 Principles of Forest Conservation (4 cr)
  • EVRN211 Field Data Methods (1 cr)
  • GEOL308 Structural Geology Systems (5 cr)
  • RECS365 Expedition Management (3 cr)

Complete one course from the following four:

  • BIOL280 Biostatistics (3 cr)
  • BUSN211 Business Statistics (3 cr)
  • MATH207 Principles of Statistical Methods (3 cr)
  • PSYC210 Statistics (3 cr)

Complete one of the following Minors:

  • Biology
  • Computer Science
  • Environmental Policy
  • Environmental Science
  • General Business
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Homeland Security
  • International Business
  • Marketing
  • Marine & Freshwater Science
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Sociology
  • Web Development

Other minors approved by student’s Geospatial Technology advisor.

Geographic Information Science Minor Requirements

GIS Core Requirements:

  • EVRN131 Introduction to GIS and GPS (3 cr)
  • EVRN225 Intermediate GIS (3 cr)
  • EVRN325 Geospatial Analysis (3 cr)

Select two from the following:

  • EVRN355 GIS Programming and Applications (4 cr)
  • EVRN365 Applied Geospatial Technologies (4 cr)
  • EVRN445 Remote Sensing & Spatial Statistics (4 cr)

Select one from the following:

  • EVRN211 Field Data Methods (1 cr)
  • BIOL284 Principles of Forest Conservation (4 cr)
  • GEOL308 Structural Geology Systems (5 cr)
  • RECS365 Expedition Management (3 cr)

Select one of the following:

  • CSCI105 Introduction to Computer Programming (3 cr)
  • BIOL280 Biostatistics (3 cr)
  • BUSN211 Business Statistics (3 cr)
  • MATH207 Principles of Statistical Methods (3 cr)
  • PSYC210 Statistics

Geographic Information Science Certificate Requirements

Department Requirements

  • EVRN131 Introduction to GIS and GPS (3 cr)
  • EVRN225 Intermediate GIS (3 cr)
  • EVRN325 Geospatial Analysis (3 cr)

Complete one course from the following three:

  • EVRN355 GIS Programming & Applications (4 cr)
  • EVRN365 Applied Geospatial Technologies (4 cr)
  • EVRN445 Remote Sensing and Spatial Statistics (4 cr)

Real-World Experience

You’ll gain valuable skills for your career in collecting global positioning system (GPS) data and displaying the data on digital maps. You’ll also learn ESRI’s suite of tools including ArcMap, ArcScene, ArcCatalog, and ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Collector. In addition to those in demand skills, you’ll learn Imagery Analysis – Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing as well as Spatial Analytics

Students use drone for GIS mapping

Career Opportunities

Completion of one of these programs will provide graduates with a credential that is in high demand in many different disciplines/industries.

Professional Paths

  • GIS Technician/Analyst
  • Forestry – Field Technician, Forest Management
  • Geology – Oil & Mining, Geomorphology, Hydrology
  • Environmental Science – Public Health, Environmental
    Consulting
  • Ecology – Habitat Mapping, Restoration
  • Business Analytics – Market Analyst
  • Computer Science – Programmer, Software Engineer
  • Criminal Justice – Crime Analyst, Profiler
  • Engineering – Civil & Urban Planning, Robotics
  • Fire Science – Rescue & Recovery, Remote Pilot
$61,340

Median Salary of Conservation Scientist & Forester
(Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018)

Please note: having a GIS credential enhances your ability to be more competitive for discipline-specific jobs that do not require GIS skills/training. The career example of Scientist & Forester salary would require a bachelor’s degree in the discipline.

Kick-Start Your Career with the One-Year Certificate Program

Program Goals

Students completing a certificate, minor, or Associates in Geospatial Technology will be able to:

  • Collect primary data in the field using ground-based and remote sensing methods, and compile and integrate secondary data for spatial analysis
  • Utilize state-of-the-art geospatial tools to perform spatial analyses and visualizations that effectively, concisely, and ethically represent geospatial data
  • Effectively communicate methodologies and outcomes of data and literature-based geospatial projects through oral, written, and graphic media
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Executive Director of Marketing and Communications and Web Accessibility Coordinator

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Accessibility Services Coordinator

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Library 233

Accessibility Statement

Lake Superior State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations related to its facilities, programs, or services for qualifying students, staff, faculty, and campus guests with disabilities as required by applicable laws. If any programming or activity is scheduled in an inaccessible space, requests for relocation shall be made to the Human Resources office at 906-635-2213, if possible, 48 hrs prior to the event. View Accessibility Statement Details

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