B.S. in Geography - GIScience Track

This track focuses on techniques in spatial analysis, cartography, environmental modeling, geodatabases, and internet-based GIS. This is the study of spatial data, its management, and analysis. The Department has curriculum related to a range of geospatial technologies. This includes drones, image analysis and extraction, geospatial coding, modeling, field data collection, 3D modeling and the integration of virtual and augmented reality into GIS analysis. Courses in this area supplement our programs in environmental studies, sustainability, and planning. Our geospatial students integrate GIS into their course/degree project work, internships, and presentations and research.
 
Graduates from our GIScience program work across the geospatial technologies industries. Alumni of our program do GIS work for environmental, engineering, and geospatial consulting firms. This includes companies such as Trimble, Michael Baker International, Primera Engineers, SoftDig, Traisr, and many others. More than two dozen of our alumni have worked at ESRI, the world’s leading GIS company. Our graduates work at all levels of local, county, state, and federal government positions. In the nonprofit sector, our graduates work in GIS positions to support land preservation and management, as well as conservation and research.
 
Our work in 3D modeling and virtual reality GIS has been cutting edge, winning the Department a Special Achievement in GIS Award in 2019 as well as a spotlight from the President of WCU as part of his First Friday Video Series.

Program Requirements

General Education

All students in the B.S. in Geography - General Track program will have to complete the University General Education requirements. 

Required Major Courses (24 semester hours):

  • GEO102 Physical Geography
  • GEO225 Introduction to Maps and Remote Sensing
  • GEO230 Environmental Conservation and Sustainability
  • GEO310 Population Geography
  • GEO324 Intro to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEO326 Geographical Analysis
  • GEO400 Senior Seminar In Geography

Additional required course (select one of the following):

  • GEO101 World Geography 2
  • GEO103 Human Geography 2
  • GEO104 Introduction to Geospatial Technology and Analytics 2 

Track Requirements (9 semester hours):

  • GEO328 Computer Cartography
  • GEO424 GIS Applications
  • GEO427 Geodatabases

Capstone Course (3 semester hours):

  • GEO404 Senior Project

Elective Courses (9 semester hours) and Cognate Courses (15 semester hours):

These courses are typically selected under advisement. Sample course options include:

  • GEO205 Geography of Agric Food & Sustainability
  • GEO214 Intro to Planning
  • GEO312 Urban Geography
  • GEO316 Planning for Resilient Communities and Natural Disasters
  • GEO318 Economic Geography
  • GEO325 Intro to Business GIS
  • GEO331 Transportation Planning
  • GEO334 Sustainable Living
  • GEO336 Environmental Planning
  • GEO354 Geography & Plng of Housing
  • GEO415 Internship (3-9 credit hours)
  • GEO425 Business GIS Applications
  • GEO427 Geodatabase Systems
  • GEO401 Internet Mapping
  • GEO338 Environmental Apps of GIS
  • PLN320 Land Use Planning
  • PLN322 Land Development Controls

Advising Sheet

Be sure to check with your advisor before registering for classes. For more information about the program requirements, see your Degree Progress Report. 

For more information regarding our undergraduate program, please contact the department chairperson Dr. Gary Coutu at GCoutu@wcupa.edu.