The Geospatial Information Technologies Center offers a variety of academic opportunities for a variety of different degrees. With these flexible programs, there are many routes our students can take to complete their education.

Students should look to an Academic Map when considering courses to find specific courses required in their major.

(online courses are available)

Computerized Maps and Cartography GIS 200

Presented as an introductory-level course, students will explore spatial technologies through cartography. They learn to understand scale, projections, coordinate systems, layout styles, and similar concepts through the review of existing map products. With the knowledge of the history of maps and their impact as visualization tools, students are also able to create their own maps.

2 Lecture Hours, 1 Lab Hour: 3 Hours

Introduction to Geospatial Science and Technology GIS 202

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of spatial science and technology using the scientific method as a learning gateway. Fundamental concepts include geodesy, coordinate systems and projections, basic computer science, and many more. Practical exercises using GIS software, GPS, and map reading skills will reinforce theoretical discussions. This course satisfies the General Education Lab Science requirement for non-science majors as well.

2 Lecture Hours, 1 Lab Hour: 3 Hours

Digital Image Processing GIS 211

Processing of images from satellite and aircraft-derived remotely-sensed data for resource management, including how to extract biophysical information from remote sensor data for almost all multidisciplinary land-based environmental projects, is presented in this course. Through this, students learn the fundamental principles of digital image processing.

3 Hours

Aerial Photographic Interpretation GIS 221

Introduction to the principles and techniques utilized to interpret aerial photography. Emphasis is on interpreting analog photographs in a range of application areas; also includes an introduction to acquiring and analyzing aerial photographic data digitally.

3 Hours

Photogrammetry I GIS 231
Provides the fundamental principles of photogrammetry. Topics introduced include a review of photogrammetry developments and processes, methods for obtaining aerial photographs including cameras and camera calibration, image coordinate measurement and refinement, correction of lens distortion, principal point offset, atmospheric refraction Earth curvature distortion scale and relief displacement in vertical and tilted photographs.

3 Hours

Fundamental Techniques in Surveying GIS 241

Fundamentals of surveying including geodesy, ellipsoids, coordinate systems, projections, and the use of surveying instruments such as RTK GPS.

3 Hours

Advanced Geospatial Science & Technology (GIS II) GIS 310

Advanced geospatial science and technology theory and skills. Topics include GIS planning and management, workflow management, systems architecture, data conflation/deflation/ manipulation, 3-D surface generation and analysis, intermediate-level spatial analysis techniques, and network design and analysis. Software skills development will accompany each lecture topic.

2 Lecture Hours, 1 Lab Hour: 3 Hours

Digital Image Processing II GIS 311

Advances in science and technology for aerial and satellite image processing and pattern recognition are presented.

3 Hours

GIS and Community GIS 320

This course focuses on the utilization of Geographic Information Systems for resolving socio-economic issues, with a focus on public involvement and participation.

3 Hours

Case Studies in GEOINT GIS 341

Case studies in contemporary applications of geospatial intelligence and analysis.

3 Hours

The Law and Surveying GIS 351

The legal aspects of surveying, including cadastral surveys, deeds, COGO, topology, and similar techniques.

3 Hours

Topographic Mapping GIS 391

Students will learn to read, interpret, create, and publish topographic map products in accordance with current USGS standards. This includes the production of detailed marginalia, Geo-PDF formats, and the use of production editing and mapping tools to achieve standardized map products at multiple scales and print sizes.

2 Lecture Hours, 1 Lab Hour: 3 Hours

Advanced Surveying GIS 401

This course provides advanced analysis methods and techniques including LIDAR, OPUS, multi-unit networks, and automated/UAS survey techniques.

3 Hours

Structured Analytic Techniques for Intel. Analysis  GIS 411 

This course is a detailed exploration of intelligence capture and analysis techniques. Study of Big Data, unstructured data analysis, sense-making loops, and similar techniques for data discovery and hypothesis generation.

3 Hours

Trends in Spatial Technologies GIS 421

Students will learn contemporary trends in geospatial technologies.

2 Hours

Photogrammetry II GIS 431

Advanced photogrammetric systems for production of highly accurate digital map products and three-dimensional representations for use and modeling.

3 Hours

Business Geographics GIS 451

Key concepts in the field of business geographics, including motivation for using geospatial technology in business applications, the different geographic datasets available for use by business analysts, and modeling of spatial data for business applications.

3 Hours

Geospatial Mathematics, Algorithms, and Statistics GIS 461

This is a geostatistics and geo-mathematics course, presenting the underlying principles of GIS operations (raster, vector, or other data models), such as surface analysis, interpolation, network analysis, path optimization, topology, etc.

3 Hours

Programming GIS GIS 470

This course is intended to be an in-depth look at computer programming within Geographic Information Systems. The focus will be on GIS programming and methodology, utilizing practical GIS software and basic scientific computing skills, which will be developed with each lecture topic.

2 Lecture Hours, 1 Lab Hour: 3 Hours

Internet GIS and Spatial Databases GIS 480

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how Internet GIS and spatial databases work and help them develop the skills requisite for success in this field. Software skills development will accompany each lecture topic.

2 Lecture Hours, 1 Lab Hour: 3 Hours

Geospatial Project Planning GIS 489

This is a variable credit hour course. Students will develop a proposal, conduct a literature review, and prepare a detailed project plan in preparation for future project/capstone work.

1-6 Hours

Geospatial Practicum GIS 490

This is a variable hour course. Students will show progress on a project/capstone effort approved by faculty or as stated in prior work completed as part of GIS 489. Students will be expected to meet/discuss progress and lessons learned with the instructor on a regular basis, maintain a journal of activities and hours worked, and prepare a major paper about their activities.

1-6 Hours

Thesis GIS 491

This is a variable credit hour course. Students will work with faculty to prepare a formal final presentation and formal final paper resulting from prior project/capstone activities.

3 Hours

Introduction to Imagery Analysis and Interpretation  REM 202

Basic theory of remotely sensed imagery acquisition, fundamentals of interpreting remotely sensed images, and analytic techniques for using remotely sensed images to solve problems or understand phenomena.

3 Hours

Introduction to Remote Sensing REM 316

Students will learn the fundamentals of remote sensing, including the principles of electromagnetic radiation, wave theory, the concept of a blackbody, how energy interacts with the atmosphere and terrestrial objects, and the principles of feature/object identification based upon spectral properties. They will use remote sensing software to develop basic skills such as ortho-rectification, color balancing, tiling imagery, and automated feature recognition (supervised and unsupervised classification). Students will be exposed to a wide range of remote sensing products and their application areas including aerial photography, hyperspectral imagery, multi-spectral imagery, LiDAR, microwave, and RADAR.

2 Lecture Hours, 1 Lab Hour: 3 Hours

Advanced Remote Sensing REM 421

Advanced topics in remote sensing include microwave-, LiDAR-, RADAR-, multi-spectral, and hyper-spectral based remote sensing systems. Applications, theory, and methods are presented using lecture and practical exercises.

3 Hours

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