GIS Concentration

Requirements for the GIS & Computer Cartography Specialization

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Geography with a specialization in Geographic Information Science and Computer Cartography (22061) is designed to give students the technical skills needed to acquire, manage, and analyze large amounts of geographic data.  Students will get computer training in digital processing of remote sensing observations and cartographic vector data, spatial analysis, and the display of information products. 

In order to specialize in GIS and Computer Cartography, a student must complete all University CORE requirements, a minimum of 35 credits in Geography, and 15 credits in a supporting area.  Of the 35 credits in the Geography department, students must take 8 credits of Geography primary requirements,  9 credits of gateway courses (human, physical, and quantitative), and 3 credits of upper level non-technical Geography systematic electives.  The remaining 15 credits of Geography coursework are to be selected from upper level technique courses.  The 15 credits of supporting area courses are taken outside of the Geography department.  Since GIS and Computer Cartography is a technical specialization, the supporting area should be made up of quantitative courses in departments such as Math, Computer Science, Biology, Physics or Meteorology.  The supporting area must be developed in conjunction with a Geography advisor and must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Primary Course Requirements (8 credits):

  The primary requirement consists of four 200-level courses that introduce the major areas of geographic research and prepare students for upper level courses.  These are normally taken before doing upper division work in the Department:

GEOG 201 Geography of Environmental Systems (3 credits)
GEOG 211 Geography of Environmental Systems Lab (1 credit)
GEOG 202 The World in Cultural Perspective (3 credits)
GEOG 212 The World in Cultural Perspective Lab (1 credit)

Gateway Requirements (12 credits):

Students specializing in Geography must also select one human, one physical, and one techniques course.  In selecting these courses, a student may wish to determine courses that would be most applicable to his or her area of concentration.

Human Gateway Courses (3 Credits):
GEOG 310 Maryland and Adjacent Areas
GEOG 312 The United States and Canada
GEOG 313 Latin America

GEOG 330 Cultural Geography

GEOG 331 Introduction to Human Dimensions of Global Change
GEOG 332 Economic Geography

GEOG 334 The American City: Past and Present

Physical Gateway Courses (3 Credits):
GEOG 340 Geomorphology
GEOG 342 Introduction to Biogeography
GEOG 345 Climatology

Quantitative Courses (3 Credits):
GEOG 306 Introduction to Quantitative Methods for Geographic and Environmental Sciences

Upper Level Geography Elective Courses (3 Credits):
GEOG 300 or above class  

Upper Level Technique Courses (15 credits):

GEOG 372 Remote Sensing
GEOG 373 Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 472 Advanced Remote Sensing
GEOG 473 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 475 Advanced Computer Cartography
GEOG 476 GIS Computer Programming
 

Supporting Courses (15 credits):

Math 140/200 Calculus

Students are encouraged to take primarily Mathematics (MATH) and Computer Science (CMSC) courses.  Students interested in remote sensing may incorporate courses from Physics (PHYS), Biology (BIOL), or Atmospheric and Oceanic Science (AOSC).      The advising office must approve all supporting area courses prior to registration.