Geographic Information Science

geographic information science

WHAT IS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE?

This major is part of the BEP Exploration Group and Math & Engineering Exploration Group

Geographic Information Science Major Website

Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is the scientific discipline that conducts spatial analysis to examine economic, environmental, physical, and social phenomena. GIS overlaps with and draws from many research fields such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, and psychology, and contributes to progress in those fields. GIS is interdisciplinary and supports research in many academic disciplines. Courses in GIS enable students to develop capability in spatial thinking and gather in-depth knowledge in geospatial technology.

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes Geotechnology as one of the three most progressive professions today, alongside nanotechnology and biotechnology. With the increasing availability of geospatial data, there has been an ever-growing need for GIS professionals. The B.S./B.A. degree in GIScience prepares students to pursue a technologically oriented career as GIS specialists. Graduates with GIS skillsets are in extremely high demand. Examples of potential career paths include:

  • Asset Management
  • Banking & Insurance
  • Land Use & Urban Planning
  • Environmental Science & Agriculture
  • Transportation & Utilities
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Health & Epidemiology
  • Defense & Military Applications

Declaration, Major Requirements, and Courses

HOW TO DECLARE:

Declare here

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MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

Major Requirements Overview

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HELPFUL INTRO COURSES:

GEOG 1010 - New Digital Worlds of GIS

GEOG 1302 - GIS Modeling of Environmental Change

Click here for full course description

Possible Career Opportunities

COMMON CAREER PATHS:

UConn students who major in Geographic Information Science (GIS) often pursue careers with a focus on spatial thinking and geospatial technology. Common examples include but are not limited to careers in: 

- Data science
- Emergency management
- Epidemiology
- Geographic information science
- Geospatial analysis
- Policy
- Remote sensing
- Risk modeling
- Urban and regional planning 

                    COMMON AREAS OF GRADUATE STUDY:

                    GIS majors who go on to pursue graduate studies pursue a wide variety of master’s, doctoral, and/or professional degrees based on their interests. Common examples include but are not limited to degrees in: 

                    - Geographic information science
                    - Geography
                    -                     Public policy or administration
                    -                     Urban and regional planning 

                    ADDITIONAL CAREER RESOURCES:

                    For additional examples of careers and graduate studies that UConn alumni have pursued, visit the UConn alumni search on LinkedIn. 

                    For further insight beyond the journeys of UConn alumni, visit Zippia or “What Can I do with this Major?”