UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY CONCENTRATION:
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
The field of Geographic Information Science (GIScience) addresses how geographic information is represented, analyzed, and communicated in a computational, cognitive, and graphic (visual) context. GIScience education and research focus on developing and applying techniques in cartography, spatial databases, environmental remote sensing, and spatial analysis. Students concentrating in GIScience receive jobs in fields such as environmental consulting and analysis, transportation planning, and business marketing, as well as in local, state, and federal government agencies that specialize in planning and natural resource management.
The Department's GIScience courses emphasize modeling physical and human systems; spatial data structures and algorithms; information design and visualization, Web and Internet GIS and mapping, and multimedia and interactive cartography. The courses have been designed to be taken in the following sequence.
As a Geography major you are required to complete 32credit hours of Geography courses and you may count up to 13 additional creditsof geography courses toward your degree. You need to pick your courses in geography to meet the department's requirements for physical and human geography. In addition--for the GISciencetrack--we recommendthat you complete GEOG 3053 or 2053, GEOG 4023/4033, and GEOG 4103 (13 credits total) and at least one advanced course (4 credits).
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GEOG 2053 (4 credits). Mapping a Changing World(formerly Maps and Mapping). Overviews the vital role cartography plays in modern society and contemporary science.Includes fundamentals of reading and creating maps for research and enjoyment.Lab provides hands-on experience with computer-based methods for creating useful maps.
GEOG 3023 (4 credits). Statistics for Earth Sciences. Introduces parametric and distribution-free statistics, emphasizes applications to earth science problems. Not open to students who have taken a college-level statistics course. Restricted to junior and senior geography, geology, and environmental studies majors. Same as GEOL 3023.
GEOG 3053 (4 credits). Cartography 1: Visualization and Information Design.Introduces the fundamentals of cartography--the science and art of map design.Emphasizes thematic maps, symbolization, map design and production. Students produce a series of thematic maps using GIS and other software. Restricted to junior and senior geography and environmental studies majors.A basic familiarity with computers is strongly recommended.
GEOG 4023 (3 credits). Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Human Geography.Introduces fundamental statistical and quantitative modeling techniques widely used in geography today. Emphasizes geographic examples and spatial problems, using statistical routines now available on most computers. Prereq., GEOG 3023 or equivalent.
GEOG 4033 (2 credits). Quantitative Methods in Geography Laboratory.Introduces the use of personal computers and statistical software in geographical analysis. Coreq., GEOG 4023. Same as GEOG 5033.
GEOG 4043 (4 credits).Cartography 2: Interactive and Multimedia Mapping.An advanced course in interactive, multimedia, animated, and Web-based cartography stressing the important role digital cartography plays in cyberspace.The course focuses on principles of effective cartographic design in multimedia and hypertext environments. Labs are organized around hands-on, active-learning projects. Prereq., GEOG 3053. Same as GEOG 5043.
GEOG 4093 (4 credits). Remote Sensing of the Environment.Acquisition and interpretation of environmental data by remote sensing. Topics include theory and sensors as well as manual and computerized interpretation methods.Stresses infrared and microwave portions of the spectrum. Same as GEOG 5093 and GEOL 4093/5093.
GEOG 4103 (4 credits). Introduction to Geographic Information Science.Construction and use of an information system specifically designed for representing and manipulating geographical data. Covers principles of data management, computer hardware/software, and procedures for recording, transforming, storing/retrieving, analyzing, and mapping geographic data. Restricted to junior and senior geography and environmental studies majors. Prereq., GEOG 3053. Same as GEOG 5103.
GEOG 4203 (4 credits). Geographic Information Science: Modeling Applications(formerly GIS 2)..Extends basic GIS concepts and mechanics. Develops GIS models for human and environmental applications, grid and vector data models, tesselated and hierarchical data structures, terrain representation, linear and areal interpolation and kriging. Students work in small group to design, implement, and run GIS models. Prereq., GEOG 4103/5103, or instructor consent.
GEOG 4303 (4 credits). Geographic Information Science: Programming(new in 2004).Focuses on interacting with geographic information systems (GIS) through programming languages.Topics covered include customization of the GIS graphic user interface (GUI), spatial data structures and algorithms, and principles of GIS database design. Prereq., GEOG 4103/5103, or instructor consent.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Department of Geography, Guggenheim Hall Room 110, UCB 260, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
Internet: and
Geography Advisor: Dylan Clark, Gugg 104, 492-8794,
Geography Undergraduate Assistant: Connie Luoto, Gugg 110, 492-2631,
2002.4.29. JM/KEF/BPB