GIS at the University of Maryland

Master of Professional Studies Course Work (31 credits)

Prerequisites

These prerequisite courses are for those students who have not received adequate prior training in the fundamentals of GIS, Remote Sensing, or Statistics.

GEOG 579: Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
(Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Professional Studies in GIS program. Credits received for this course will not count toward the MPS GIS degree.) An introduction to remote sensing and geographic information systems. Topics include methods of obtaining quantitative information from remotely-sensed images, interpretation of remotely-sensed images for spatial and environmental relationships, characteristics and organization of geographic data including spatial data models for thematic mapping and map analysis and use of geographic information systems in society, government, and business. Practical experience with remote sensing software and geographic information systems. (2-4 credits)

GEOG 506: Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Geographic Sciences (Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Professional Studies in GIS program. Credits received for this course will not count toward the MPS GIS degree.) This course is intended for graduate students admitted to the Master of Professional Studies in Geographic Information Sciences program who need additional preparation in quantitative methods. There are no prerequisites for the class. This course provides an introduction to quantitative methods for geographic and environmental sciences. The class covers the fundamentals of statistical analysis including data display, data description and summary, statistical inference and significance tests, analysis of variance, correlation, and regression. Some aspects of spatial statistics will also be covered. The main goal of this class is to provide a foundation in the quantitative analysis of spatial and other data. Students will 1) develop an understanding of important theoretical concepts in statistical analysis and 2) gain experience in the application of statistics to spatial and other data using statistical software. (3 credits)

Masters Degree Required Courses (15 credits)

GEOG 472: Remote Sensing: Digital Processing and Analysis
Digital image processing and analysis applied to satellite and aircraft land remote sensing data. Consideration is given to preprocessing steps including calibration and georegistration. Analysis methods include digital image exploration, feature extraction thematic classification, change detection, and biophysical characterization. One or more application examples may be reviewed. There is a $40.00 lab fee for this course. Click here to view books for the course. (3 credits) Syllabus

GEOG 473: Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis
Analytical uses of geographic information systems; data models for building geographic databases; types of geographic data and spatial problems; practical experience using advanced software for thematic domains such as terrain analysis, land suitability modeling, demographic analysis, and transportation studies. There is a $40.00 lab fee for this course. Click here to view books for the course. (3 credits)

GEOG 606: Quantitative Spatial Analysis
This course covers the statistical modeling of spatial data and data analysis that are most useful to geographers and others who use spatial data. It provides the student with more advanced methods with an emphasis on practical techniques for problem solving. Home assignments are designed to help the student understand the fundamental concepts and principles in depth and allow the student to gain experience in the use of S-Plus statistical software and two powerful extensions of ArcGIS 9.1: Spatial analyst, and Geostatistical analyst. There is a $40.00 lab fee for this course. (3 credits) Syllabus

GEOG 676: Programming for GIS
This course is an introduction to programming for geography graduate students. The foundational concepts of computer programming will be introduced and the Visual Basic programming language will be the implementation medium for those concepts. By the end of the semester students will be able to design and implement programs that are correct, robust, and user-friendly for a variety of situations using both structured and object-oriented programming concepts. This course will also present advanced programming concepts and practice, including modeling environmental situations and ArcObjects, the underlying structure of ArcGIS. There is a $40.00 lab fee for this course. (3 credits) Syllabus

GEOG 677. Internet GIS
This course will provide the necessary background for students working in GIS in the 21st century. The course is focused upon the use of the Internet to deliver GIS applications. The material covered will include the hardware/software structure of the Internet, the means for communication between Internet-connected devices, applications that provide GIS programs and data, and performance and security concerns. (3 credits). Syllabus

Advanced GIS (6 credits: select 2 of the 4 courses):

GEOG 671: Remote Sensing Instruments and Observations
Detailed examination of land remote sensing instruments, observatories and resultant measurements in the optical portion of the EM spectrum. Includes computer-based exercises that examine the importance of data geo-registration and radiometric calibration in land measurements. There is a $40.00 lab fee for this course. (3 credits) Syllabus

GEOG 672: Biophysics of Optical Remote Sensing
Biophysical principles, phenomena and processes underlying multispectral remote sensing in the optical portion of the EM spectrum. Includes computer-based exercises that explore the biophysical basis of land patterns and dynamics observed in remote sensing data. There is a $40.00 lab fee for this course. (3 credits)

GEOG 673: GIS Modeling
This course introduces advanced techniques in the GIS data manipulation, geostatistics and geospatial modeling. The fundamental theories behind the analytical and modeling techniques are covered in detail. The theoretical knowledge will be enforced by a series of intensive computer exercises using real data sets. It covers descriptive and predictive GIS modeling techniques, including logit modeling (logistic regression), spatial statistics, geo-statistics, environmental diversity indices, Boolean logic, and map algebra. There is a $40.00 lab fee for this course. (3 credits)Syllabus

GEOG 674: GIS Spatial Databases
Many GIS functions revolve around spatial attribute data management. Therefore, a good understanding of database design and manipulation is of great benefit for the GIS practitioner. This course uses typical GIS database software and covers data acquisition & database creation, data structure & modeling, data management, information queries, and integration of multiple data sources in GIS. This course will also cover Oracle and Internet database and web services. There is a $40.00 lab fee for this course. (3 credits) Syllabus

Professional Project Management and Final Project (10 credits):

GEOG 795: Professional Practices Seminar
A professional practice seminar will be included to help prepare students for the work place. Topics will include development of a resume, physical preparation of a resume, choosing and helping reference writers, conduct of a successful interview, negotiating an employment package, giving professional presentations, proposal preparation, writing reports, codes of ethics and responsibilities to the broader community including pro bono work. The course will include presentations from practitioners in the GIS field. This course will also include basic project management skills and strategies to help prepare students for undertaking the internship and resultant final project. (1 credit)

INFM 706: Project Management
This course covers all aspects of project management, with emphasis on leadership, organization, control, and measurement.

GEOG 793: Professional Project
Each student must undertake a project as a demonstration of his/her competence in geospatial science and technologies. The data and materials for this project can originate from an internship (internal or external to the department), or from relevant work experience at the student's current employer. The Geography Department will work with each student individually to determine the best mechanism for obtaining the necessary data and experience. Under the direction of a faculty advisor, the student will prepare a Project Report which shall contain an explanation of the requirements for the work, a technical account of the activities undertaken, including a literature review, a description of the methods and approaches taken, a critical discussion of the results obtained, along with conclusions and recommendations developed from the project. The final project will consist of a full fledged GIS application that is up and running and can be tested. This will enable the student to present potential employers with a portfolio containing an example of their ability to manage and develop a GIS application project and will show that they understand how to apply the technology to real world situations. (3 credits) Syllabus

GEOG 794: Professional GIS Project II
This course is the second part the two culminating courses in profession project design for the Master’s of Professional Studies in GIS. Implementing and reporting GIS projects is one of required skills for professional GIS practitioners. This course will introduce the components, procedures and methods of implementing, reporting and managing a GIS project. Students will implement the project proposal developed in Geog 793. The project will be a GIS application that can be tested, demonstrating the student’s ability to manage and develop a GIS application project in real world situation. (3 credits) Syllabus

Graduate Certificate Course Work (12 credits)

Prerequisites

These prerequisite courses are for those students who have not received adequate prior training in the fundamentals of GIS, Remote Sensing, or Statistics.

Required Courses (9 credits)

Choice of one course(3 credits)