Degrees & ProgramsGeographic SciencesMaster of Science in Geographic Information SystemsCurriculum at a Glance

Curriculum: Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems

Curriculum: Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems
12.18.2024
30
01.13.2025
Application Fees Waived for Spring 2025
Do You Need A Master's in GIS? Learn More!
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Program Overview Academic Calendar Admission Requirements Careers Curriculum Faculty Tuition
Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems

Application Fees Waived for Spring 2025

If you apply today, we'll waive the $65 application fee. Start your journey today!

Do You Need A Master's in GIS? Learn More!

Learn how having both a professional certificate in GIS and a Master's degree can help you in salary negotiations. Read this blog we put together with Kelly Wright, a GIS Analyst in Ohio.

curriculum icon Curriculum at a Glance

All of the curricula for the Master’s in Geographic Information Systems is completed online. The courses are asynchronous allowing you to complete your work at your pace without having to log on at a specific time or visit the campus.  The courses are taught by world-class faculty and staff, the same faculty and staff that teach the courses on-campus.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours which includes a capstone course. There are 6 required courses to complete the degree and various electives of which 9 credit hours must be completed. These electives vary based on your desired career path or field of interest.

Students can expect short course lecture videos on concepts and discussion boards. You will also have access to a digital lab where you will learn to use popular GIS software. There will be practice exercises and videos walking you through these tools. Expect a full immersive online experience preparing your for the workforce.

 

When do I take courses? How are they structured?

This program is built for working professionals. We have built 7 week courses that exist within 15 week semesters. This allows students to take 2 courses per semester without having to double up on course work. You’ll take your foundation courses seen below in your first semester. Once those are completed, you’ll have 4 core courses to complete as well as 3 electives to take. Core courses and electives are subject to availability. Once you are enrolled, you’ll be assigned a student success coordinator who will assist you with registering for classes.

Have Questions? Speak with an Enrollment Services Advisor Today!

Core Courses

Students are required to successfully complete all the courses listed below.

Course Title / Description Credit
GEOG6071C
Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences
Course: GEOG6071C
Credit: 3
Introduction of the theories and applications of Geographic Information Sciences (GIS). The basic topics include definition of GIS, the history of GIS, topological data structure, data preprocessing, data manipulation and analysis, geographic modeling with GIS, and the future of GIS. The focus of this course is spatial analysis.
3
GEOG6074C
Analytical Computer Cartography
Course: GEOG6074C
Credit: 3
Analytical Computer Cartography is a course that serves as an introduction to the science and art of digital cartography, with an emphasis on the foundations and practices of thematic map production. We explore the elements of scale and measurement, Earth-map relations, map projections, and symbolization and color theory. The course then builds on those principles by concentrating on design techniques and practices for creating maps through lab assignments and interactive workshops that emphasize effective visual thinking and communication. Students will develop technological literacy via introduction to the tools and techniques of digital cartography, as well as to geospatial technologies utilized in cartography, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will also review academic literature on cartographic science in order to identify current trends in the field, and will develop a question to be answered through original data research and cartographic production.
3
GEOG6075C
Quantitative Geography and Spatial Statistics I
Course: GEOG6075C
Credit: 3
GEOG 5175C / 6075C is the first of a three-sequence series in which students define, examine, and perform methods commonly employed in geographic research, and where they interpret and illustrate the results of those methods. Primarily data-driven and analytic in nature, the course introduces students to spatial analysis and visualization, reinforces their knowledge of mathematics and statistical procedures, and develops their ability to understand, apply, and interpret quantitative processes to solve geographic research problems. This is a course on applied statistics (rather than theoretical or mathematical). Its emphasis focuses upon learning, understanding, and exploring (1) various statistical procedures; (2) assumptions and types of data necessary for using specified methods; and (3) how these procedures and methods have been used by geographers in research. Students will also become familiar with statistical packages and with statistical capabilities in GIS software.
3
GEOG6076C
Principles of Remote Sensing
Course: GEOG6076C
Credit: 3
The fundamental objective of this course is to explore basic physical principles of electromagnetic radiation; remote sensing systems;interpretation of satellite images, thermal and radar imagery; digital image analysis of multispectral satellite data, and remote sensing applications.There are two classes each week. Eachclass will focus on a lecture topic, a laboratory exercise, or a combination of both. ENVI, a robustremote sensing image processing package will be used for all labs. Lecture topics include Introduction to Remote Sensing; Electromagnetic Spectrum and Energy Interaction; Elements of Remote Sensing Images; Satellites and Sensors; Radiometric and Geometric Correction; Image enhancements, Transformations, Classifications; Classification Accuracy; Radar Remote Sensing; Urban and Geologic Remote Sensing; Vegetation and Water Remote Sensing. Laboratory exercises include: Introduction to ENVI image processing software;Image Searching and Acquisition; Image Georeferencing; Image Filters; Supervised Classification; Unsupervised Classification; and Creating Image Maps.
3
GEOG6081C
Intermediate GIS
Course: GEOG6081C
Credit: 3
This course focuses on GIS modeling and its applications to urban, economic and environmental issues. It further applies GIS theories and techniques to real-world problems. It is designed to provide a background in advanced GIS analysis programs such as Spatial Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst, and Network Analyst to develop an understanding of the operational basis of modern GIS technology.
3
GEOG7015
Graduate Geography
Course: GEOG7015
Credit: 3
The single most important component of a graduate program is independent research. This seminar willexamine the design of geographic research. Students will examine and critique the design of research projects as presented in articles and research proposals. Each participant will develop a research proposal on a topic of their choosing with the goal that the proposal will improve and accelerate progress toward completion of her/his graduate degree.
3
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Elective Courses

Students shall select and successfully complete any three of the following courses.

Course Title / Description Credit
GEOG6015C
Introduction to landscape ecology and GIS
Course: GEOG6015C
Credit: 3
Landscape ecology has risen in importance as the influence of geographical processes on population dynamics, community assembly, and ecosystem functions in general have been recently recognized. Space has also been identified as a key component in conservation of species and biodiversity planning, as well as a fundamental element for understanding the ways people interact with nature. Based on these previous arguments, this course will examine the structure, and the functioning of natural and human-modified communities in a geographical context. The course will focus on spatial patterns and processes of landscapes as the framework of interacting ecological communities. The course will consider the critical role that landscape and geographical patterns play in shaping the functional interactions among species and the dynamics of ecosystems. It will also provide students with the principles and applications of landscape ecology and a firm understanding of spatial analysis techniques using GIS for the study of ecological processes. It will also include a discussion of key concepts of landscape ecology, methods, and approaches currently used to describe and understand ecological landscapes.
3
GEOG6021
Crime Mapping and Analysis
Course: GEOG6021
Credit: 3
Introduction of crime databases, crime mapping andspatial analysis of crime in a GIS environment.
3
GEOG6031
GIS and Public Health
Course: GEOG6031
Credit: 3
This course introduces geographic information sciences (GIS), public health, and the application of GIS to public health. It covers the processing, geocoding, mapping and analysis of public health data in a GIS environment. It highlights the latest spatial-temporal models dealing with public health related problems.
3
GEOG6073C
Fundamentals of GIS Programming
Course: GEOG6073C
Credit: 3
GEOG 5173C / 6073C introduces students to the basics of current GIS programming language, including data types, conditional statements, loop structures, operations, built-in functions, and methods. Students will create text files and scripts using current GIS programming language that add efficiency and functionality to desktop GIS tools and that permits automating geospatial analysis processes. In addition to GIS programming language basics and GIS modeling with that language, the course also explores GIS data access and manipulation with programming language, as well as practical programming language applications for the GIS professional. No previous programming experience is assumed, though fundamental knowledge of ArcGIS is a prerequisite. This course is designed to fit the needs of both advanced undergraduate majors and graduate students. Graduate students and undergraduates are evaluated separately. GEOG 6073C will also include an advanced project, critiquing and appraising software programming and functionality as it relates to methods explored in this course, and assessing academic and professional literature on course topics, consistent with graduate-level education.
3
GEOG6082C
Natural Hazards
Course: GEOG6082C
Credit: 3
This course introduces the causes, physical characteristics, spatial patterns, and impacts of natural hazards and disasters and examines geo-spatial technologies for prediction, assessment and management of natural hazards. It combines lectures with homework assignments. The lectures cover earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, coastal erosions, droughts, floods, and wildfires. This course examines the causes, underlying earth processes, and spatial patterns of natural hazards, and discusses and practices the methodologies and technologies used to analyzethe magnitude and frequency of natural hazards, and institutional and societal response and decision-making processes in risk reduction and avoidance.
3
GEOG6083C
GIS and Urban Geography
Course: GEOG6083C
Credit: 3
GEOG 6083C course explores contemporary principles of urban geography and how GIS applications can enhance understandings of and contribute solutions to problems of urban areas. Drawn from a more recent perspective of evolution of data related to cities, the course first examines interurban studies (systems of cities), and then proceeds to intraurban studies (internal structures of cities), where the focus rests with assessing spatial structures inside individual cities. The course uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and combines academic literature with professional practice in its case studies, laboratory assignments, and reading materials. This course is designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems and issues that urban geographers frequently encounter in professional practice, and to apply procedures while also explaining results suitable for varying audiences. This course is designed to fit the needs of both advanced undergraduate majors and graduate students. Graduate students and undergraduates are evaluated separately, with GEOG 6083C also including an advanced project, critiquing and appraising software functionality as it relates to methods explored in this course, and assessing academic and professional literature on course topics, consistent with graduate-level education.
3
GEOG6085C
Quantitative Geography and Spatial Statistics II
Course: GEOG6085C
Credit: 3
GEOG 6085C is the second a three-sequence series that explores advanced statistical models that are commonly used by geographers in social science, physical science, and GIS-based applications and research. The methods explored include spatial regression, ordination, and dimensionality reduction techniques, among others. The course will cover intermediate techniques in statistics, spatial analysis, and model building, and further develops students' understanding and application of quantitative processes to solve geographic research problems. Students will continue to develop their skills with statistical packages and with statistical capabilities in other software. GEOG 6085C is designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems and issues that geographers frequently encounter in their professional practice and in their research, and to apply procedures while also explaining results suitable for varying audiences. GEOG 6085C will also include an advanced project, critiquing and appraising software functionality as it relates to methods explored in this course, and assessing academic and professional literature on course topics, consistent with graduate-level education.
3
GEOG6090C
GIS in Hydrology
Course: GEOG6090C
Credit: 3
This course will explore applications of Geographic Information System (GIS) in the field of hydrology. GIS provides various tools that help us to visualize the spatial patterns of landscapes and therefore help us to understand complex watershed systems and the hydrologic processes within. The main topics of the course include watershed delineation and analysis, spatial data processing, digital mapping of water resources and hydrologic modeling.
3
GEOG6091C
Advanced GIS & Web GIS
Course: GEOG6091C
Credit: 3
Geography 6091 addresses the application of advanced GIS techniques to research and real-worldproblems. This course is designed Ý1¨ to introducestudents the basic structure and capabilities of object-oriented programming in a GIS environment, and Ý2¨ to introduce current Internet Mapping and Web GIS. Students will learn how to automate GIS operations and customize the user interface using the programming language available in ArcGIS. It is also designed to provide database management skill in MS Access and MS SQL. This course is designed to introduce the basic structure and capabilities of Internet mapping, Server-based GIS, and Web GIS. The course includes a computer laboratory portion focusing on customizing ESRI GIS software packages, Google Map and Earth, ESRI ArcIMS, Arc GIS Server, ArcSDE, and MS SQL. Students will use GIS to apply the GIS skills learned through lab exercises to projects that address "real-world" GIS application problems. Relevant applications for different discipline areas are demonstrated in the computer labs.
3
GEOG6095C
Quantitative Geography and Spatial Statistics III
Course: GEOG6095C
Credit: 3
GEOG 6095 is the third of a three-sequence series designed to acquaint students with statistical methods and models employed in geographic research. The course will cover advanced and specific techniques in statistics, spatial analysis and geographic models, including application and estimation methods, and further develops students' understanding and application of quantitative processes to solve geographic research problems. Students will continue to develop and perfect their skills with statistical packages and with statistical capabilities in other software.
3
GEOG6098C
Practical Data Mining and Visualization
Course: GEOG6098C
Credit: 3
Course combines elements of geographical information science (GIS), machine learning, data mining, and information visualization into a set of techniques for exploration of complex spatial data. The course will discuss types of data and tasks encountered in domains ranging from commercial, law enforcement, homeland security, and national security to science including geosciences and life science. Concepts, techniques, and algorithms (classification, clustering, association mining, heat maps, Sammon's maps, self-organizing maps, treemaps and others) will be introduced by means of hands on projects based on real life data.
3
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Capstone Experience

Students complete the program with a designated capstone experience with select faculty members.

Course Title / Description Credit
GEOG6006
Course: GEOG6006
Credit:
GEOG6002
Problems in Geography
Course: GEOG6002
Credit: 1
Individual research projects requiring prior faculty approval. Credit and hours to be arranged.May be taken more than once.
1
GEOG6050
International Field Trips
Course: GEOG6050
Credit: 1-5
Geography International Field Trips provides students with an opportunity to explore and learn in a foreign setting. Field trips vary depending upon the location, and course objectives vary depending upon the educational scope of the foreign experience. In general educational objectives encompass an exposure to and appreciation of different cultures, awareness of world problems-particularly in 3rd world settings,an opportunity to practice language skills, and stimulation of student interest of different subject areas.
1-5
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FAQs

  • What of kind salary can I expect with a MS in GIS?

    Here are some estimated salaries based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

    • Geoscientists: $93,580
    • Urban Planners: $75,950
    • Conservationists: $64,010

    These jobs have an average growth rate of 7% over the next 10 years.

  • What jobs can I get with an MS in GIS?

    According to gisgeography.com these are the types of jobs you can typically get with an MS in GIS are as follows;

    • GIS Analyst
    • GIS Coordinator
    • Remote Sensing Analyst
    • GIS Administrator
    • Cartographer
    • Conservationist
    • Geoscientist
    • Urban Planner
    • Crime Analyst
  • Is there a demand for individuals with an MS in GIS?

    According to psmarketresearch.com the market growth rate over the next 10 years in Geographic Information Systems is 11.6%. Companies are investing in this type of technology in a wide variety of industries

    • Government
    • Construction
    • Utilities
    • Telecommunications
    • Agriculture
    • Aerospace and Defense
    • Oil and Gas

     

View Additional FAQs

Related Articles

Additional resources to support you from start to finish.

GIS Degree Careers Graphic What Can You Do with a GIS Degree? 8 Common Careers Read More Meet the Program Director for the Online Master’s in Geographic Information Systems Read More An Introduction to the Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems Program at The University of Cincinnati Online Read More Geographic Information System Insights with Kelly Wright Read More