Sustainability, natural resources, insurance, banking, national security, supply chains, local government. You name the career or interest area, and GIS is a relevant skill. Adding a GIS skillset to your resume will help you stand out in any recruitment pool. By signing up for a GIS minor, you'll receive fundamental training in mapping, geospatial analysis and modeling as well as statistical methods. Most of the courses you'll take include lab components to give you hands-on training with different GIS technologies used in professional contexts.
Requirements
The GIS minor consists of 18 total credits. including:
- 12 credits (4 courses) of required coursework
- 6 credits (2 courses) of elective coursework
- GEOG 5103: Intermediate Spatial Data Analytics
- GEOG 5201: GeoVisualization
- GEOG 5212: Geospatial Databases for GIS (unless taken as part of core)
- GEOG 5222: GIS Algorithms and Programming
- GEOG 5223: Design and Implementation of GIS
- GEOG 5225: Geographic Applications of Remote Sensing (unless taken as part of core)
- GEOG 5226: Spatial Simulation and Modeling in GIS
- GEOG 5229: Emerging Topics in GIS
- GEOG 5300: Geography of Transportation
- GEOG 5402: Land Use Geography
Curriculum
There are two versions of the minor for current and prospective students. Determine your curriculum plan based on the semester you declared the minor.
“Geographic Information Science Minor Program Form (SP24 and Forward)”
“Geographic Information Science Minor Program Form (AU23 and Before)”
As a GIS student, you are pursuing an education that integrates spatial data analytics, data visualization, and design skills.
Possible major combinations include:
- Archeology
- Architecture
- Agricultural Systems Management
- City and Regional Planning
- Civil Engineering
- Earth Sciences
- Environment, Ecology, Development, and Sustainability
- Environmental Policy and Decision Making
- Environmental Science
- Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife
- Landscape Architecture
- Natural Resource Management
Possible career opportunities include:
- Geospatial Analyst or Consultant
- GIS Software Developer
- Market Researcher or Analyst
- Location/Site Selection Expert
- Business Analyst
- Mapping Technician
- Cartographer for Federal Agencies (USGS, NGA, USFS, etc.)
- Local Government GIS Analyst
- City Planner
- Transportation Manager