Concentration in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (Bachelor of Science in Geography)

Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements GEOGGIRCON

View Degree MapA semester-by-semester path to completing degree and major requirements

Requirements

The concentration requires at least 15 credit hours (including at least 12 credit hours at the 300–499 level), including the requirements listed below.

Select from the following courses:
- GEOG-G 237 Mapping our World: From Mercator to Mashups
- GEOG-G 250 Computing in the Geospatial Sciences
- GEOG-G 305 Current Issues in Climate, Land and Environmental Change (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- GEOG-G 306 Current Issues in Globalization, Development and Justice (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- GEOG-G 336 Environmental Remote Sensing
- GEOG-G 338 Geographic Information Systems
- GEOG-G 397 Social and Historical Geographic Information Systems
- GEOG-G 436
- GEOG-G 438 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
- GEOG-G 439 GIS and Environmental Analysis
- GEOG-G 481 Terrestrial Ecosystem Modeling
- GEOG-G 485 Geospatial Programming
- GEOG-G 488 Applied Spatial Statistics
- GEOG-G 489 Geospatial Analysis of Big Data in Python
- GEOG-X 473 Internship in Geographical Analysis (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- GEOG-X 490 Undergraduate Readings and Research in Geography (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- One (1) additional course from the Geographic Methods course list
GEOG-G 237 Mapping our World: From Mercator to Mashups
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Mapping lets us visualize our world and see how patterns change across places. For example, we can analyze how a bike-share program changes commuting patterns, or how urban farming emerges in a transforming city. Students learn how to develop digital maps and interpret spatial processes while gaining valuable experience with GIS software.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 250 Computing in the Geospatial Sciences

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
A first course in scientific computing that emphasizes practical applications in the geospatial and environmental sciences. Requires high-level programming using MATLAB for visualization, data analysis, and modeling. Teaches problem solving through analysis and interpretation of a wide range of environmental and geographic data.
GEOG-G 305 Current Issues in Climate, Land and Environmental Change
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
An examination of current problems concerning climate, land and environmental change from a geographical perspective. The specific topic to be considered will vary from semester to semester.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 306 Current Issues in Globalization, Development and Justice
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
An examination of current problems concerning globalization, development and justice from a geographical perspective. The specific topic to be considered will vary from semester to semester.
Repeatability
May be repeated once with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE SHcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
GEOG-G 336 Environmental Remote Sensing
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Principles of remote sensing of the earth and its atmosphere, emphasizing satellite data in visible, infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Emphasis on practical applications and digital image analysis.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 338 Geographic Information Systems
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Overview of the principles and practices of geographic information systems (GIS). The course will deal with issues of spatial data models, database design, introductory and intermediate GIS operations, and case studies of real-world GIS applications. Laboratory exercises will provide significant hands-on experience. Lecture and laboratory.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 397 Social and Historical Geographic Information Systems

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Covers the ways scholars in the humanities and social sciences, such as historians, demographers, and archaeologists, have utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to answer research questions, as well as the methods and processes used to analyze the relationships between people and their environment across space and time.
GEOG-G 438 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Credits
3
Prerequisites
GEOG-G 338 or consent of instructor
Description
Covers intermediate and advanced theory in geographic information science and spatial analysis using GIS software. Provides an in-depth look into this rapidly developing field and teaches the skills needed to construct, manage, and analyze data and models.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 439 GIS and Environmental Analysis
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Applications of geographic information science principles in the collection and analysis of spatial data. Integration of GIS, remote sensing, and/or GPS technologies. Review of current literature on techniques, theory, technology, and applications with an emphasis on environmental issues. Discussions, laboratory, and research project.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 481 Terrestrial Ecosystem Modeling
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Notes
R: Computer programming experience highly recommended
Description
Introduces the major components of terrestrial ecosystem models - the land component of earth system models that are used in climate change projections. These components include biogeochemical, hydrology, and energy cycles, as well as processes that impact ecosystems, such as disturbance, land use change, and land management.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 485 Geospatial Programming

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Notes
R: GEOG-G 336 and GEOG-G 338
Description
Introduces both JavaScript and Python programming languages in conjunction with the Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS for geospatial analysis. Provides hands-on programming experience to independently solve problems in Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sending (RS) analysis, including machine learning.
GEOG-G 488 Applied Spatial Statistics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
6 credit hours of geography or consent of instructor
Description
Extension of traditional statistical analysis to spatial data. Spatial means and spatial variances, the examination of differences in samples over space, spatial autocorrelation, nearest neighbor analysis, map comparison techniques. Emphasis is on practical applications.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 489 Geospatial Analysis of Big Data in Python
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Introduces the Python programming language and the Python skills needed to perform complex geospatial data analysis and data visualization with large spatiotemporal datasets (e.g. modeling, remote sensing, or GIS data).
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-X 473 Internship in Geographical Analysis

Credits
1–6 credit hours
Prerequisites
Consent of instructor
Notes
Maximum of 3 credit hours will count toward major
Description
Supervised field experience in geography, normally in conjunction with approved work at a government agency or private firm. Requires 45 hours of work per 1 credit hour.
Repeatability
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in GEOG-X 274, GEOG-X 374, GEOG-X 473 and GEOG-X 474.
Grading
S/F grading.

GEOG-X 490 Undergraduate Readings and Research in Geography

Credits
1–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
Consent of instructor
Description
Individual readings and research in geography.
Repeatability
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in GEOG-G 450 and GEOG-X 490.
Concentration GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. At least 9 credit hours in the concentration must be completed at the 300–499 level.
2. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the concentration.
3. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the concentration—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
4. Exceptions to concentration requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.