Master of Science in Geographic Information Science

Northwest Missouri State University is offering an online Master of Science degree in Geographic Information Science. The focus of this program is applied Geographic Information Science (GIScience) as used in industry and the public sector. GIScience studies the science and issues of using geographic information systems (GIS) technology. The online Masters program includes courses on such GIScience topics as modeling with GIS, geostatistics, cartographic design, GIS database design, and project management. The target population for the online Masters program consists of people working in business or government who wish to use GIS technology to solve real-world problems and who need in-depth knowledge that goes beyond the mechanics of using GIS software. Those in academia who want to use GIS as a tool to conduct research in their discipline may also be interested in the courses.

This new program in GIScience is designed to offer a series of courses that meet the demands of the evolving and growing geo-spatial work environment of the 21st Century. The program centers on a core of nine online courses (27 credits) that are required of each student. As part of the degree requirements, students will also complete a thesis. An introductory course in GIS (32-545) is intended for students with a limited background in GIScience.

Students taking a selected subset of courses for the online Masters degree may earn a graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science. This option may be appropriate for students seeking advanced coursework but who do not wish to pursue a Master's degree.

Students interested in applying to the MS in GIScience or Certificate in GIScience must complete the Graduate-First-Time application in CatPaws.

Program Admission Requirements for the Online M.S. in Geographic Information Science

Applicants seeking admission to the M.S. in Geographic Information Science program must meet the following requirements:

  1. Compliance with all of the eligibility requirements of the Graduate School as set forth in the Graduate catalog.
  2. Acceptance to graduate study by the Dean of the Graduate School .
  3. Completion of a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on 4.00 scale.
  4. Minimum verbal plus quantitative GRE score of 800. Students not meeting this score must maintain a 3.00 average for the first nine hours of graduate credit before admission to candidacy. GRE scores must be on file in the Graduate Office before a student's application for admission will be evaluated. The GRE will be waived for applicants with a graduate degree (Master's or higher) from an accredited institution.
  5. Two references on the student's ability to do graduate work, submitted with the student's application for admission to the Graduate School . The references are to be submitted using the Department of Geology and Geography's reference form.
  6. A two-page essay describing the applicant's career goals and how the GIScience program will help the applicant meet these goals. Applicants are to submit the essay as part of the application for admission to the Graduate School . The essay will serve as the writing sample required by the Graduate catalog. An unacceptable ability to write will necessitate some remedial work and a subsequent writing sample on a topic to be provided by the Department of Geology and Geography.

 

The Department of Geology and Geography reserves the right for final decision in accepting students to graduate degree candidacy in the department. Criteria for admittance to the program and acceptance to degree candidacy may include academic qualifications and performance, letters of recommendation, number of applicants, and available resources.

M.S. in Geographic Information Science
Completion of 32 hours of approved graduate credit (courses numbered 500 or above) is required. Sixteen hours must be 600- level or above. A maximum of nine advisor-approved hours may be taken outside the department. A thesis is required for the degree.

Optional Introductory Course (interview or exam to test out)

 

Geog 32-545

Principles of GIS

3

 

Required Core Courses

 

Geog 32-543

Applications of Remotely Sensed Data

3

 

Geog 32-572

Issues in Cartographic Design

3

 

Geog 32-580

Spatial Analysis and Geostatistics

3

 

Geog 32-620

GIS Theory and Research

3

 

Geog 32-630

Raster-based GIS and Modeling

3

 

Geog 32-640

GIS Customization

3

 

Geog 32-650

GIS Database Design

3

 

Geog 32-655

GIS Project Management

3

 

Geog 32-660

Trends in GIS

3

Core Total

 

 

27

 

Optional Electives*

 

CSIS 44-560

Advance Topics in Database Systems

3

 

CSIS 44-660

Database Design and Implementation

3

 

Thesis Credits (2-5 minimum for M.S. degree; depends on 32-545)

 

Geog 32-699

Thesis

2 –5

Total Hours

32

*Note: Optional electives may be required for students who may have 500-level online GIS courses at the undergraduate level.

General Requirements and Policies for M.S. in Geographic Information Science

  1. All requirements of the Graduate School must be met.
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 in all graduate work is required for graduation.
  3. No more than six semester hours of “C” grades may be applied toward the master's degree.

Required Software

See: http://cite.nwmissouri.edu:2000/nwonline/gisrequire.html

Advisement
A member of the graduate faculty of the Department of Geology and Geography will serve as the major advisor. The Geology/Geography faculty reserves the right to determine which students and how many they are able to advise. The signature of the major advisor will be required on the Approved Program Form. The advisor must approve any changes to the student's Approved Program.

Comprehensive Examination / Thesis Committees
The student, in consultation with his or her major advisor, will select other faculty members to serve with the major advisor on the student's comprehensive exam and thesis committees. Both committees will consist of three faculty members and will be chaired by the major advisor. In addition to the major advisor, at least one other member of each committee must be a faculty member of the Department of Geology and Geography.

Comprehensive Examination
The examination will be scheduled, administered, and evaluated by members of the student's comprehensive exam committee. The degree candidate must pass all portions of the examination.

Thesis
The degree candidate must submit a thesis proposal to his or her thesis committee. The committee members must approve the proposal before the student proceeds with the thesis. A formal defense of the thesis is required. A degree candidate must enroll in at least one thesis credit hour each trimester that he or she expects to consult with his/her committee or use University resources.

Certificate in Geographic Information Science
Students taking a selected subset of courses for the online Master's degree may earn a Certificate in Geographic Information Science.

Optional Introductory Course (interview or exam to test out)

 

Geog 32-545

Principles of GIS

3

Required Courses

 

Geog 32-572

Issues in Cartographic Design

3

 

Geog 32-640

GIS Customization

3

 

Geog 32-650

GIS Database Design

3

 

Geog 32-655

GIS Project Management

3

Certificate Total

 

12-15

Program Admission Requirements for the Certificate in Geographic Information Science

Applicants seeking admission to the Certificate in Geographic Information Science program must meet the following requirements:

  1. Compliance with all of the eligibility requirements of the Graduate School as set forth in this catalog.
  2. Acceptance to graduate study by the Dean of the Graduate School .
  3. Completion of a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
  4. Two references on the student's ability to do graduate work, submitted with the student's application for admission to the Graduate School . The references are to be submitted using the Department of Geology and Geography's reference form.
  5. A two-page essay describing the applicant's career goals and how the GIScience program will help the applicant meet these goals. Applicants are to submit the essay as part of the application for admission to the Graduate School .

General Requirements and Policies for Certificate in Geographic Information Science

  1. All requirements of the Graduate School for non-degree graduate students must be met. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and submit undergraduate transcripts. Students are required to file an Approved Program Form (certificate only).
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 must be earned for the courses in the certificate program.
  3. All courses for the certificate must be completed within a four-year period beginning with the date of the first course taken for the certificate.
  4. All courses in the certificate program can be applied toward the M.S. in Geographic Information Science program. (Such students must formally apply for admission to this program and complete all admission requirements, including the GRE and writing sample.)
  5. A member of the graduate faculty of the Department of Geology and Geography will serve as the major advisor for the student's certificate program.

Course Descriptions

543 Applications of Remotely Sensed Data (3 hours)
Covers the use of remotely sensed information in a geographic information system environment. Emphasis is placed on understanding different data sources, tools, and techniques used in remote sensing. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

545 Principles of GIS (3 hours)
A rigorous study of fundamental GIS principles, including the nature of spatial data, vector and raster data models, and key GIS analysis operations. (online, alt. trimesters)

572 Issues in Cartographic Design (3 hours)
An extension of basic GIS/desktop mapping encompassing the theoretical and applied aspects of cartographic problem solving pertaining to the collection, storage, retrieval, analysis and display of spatial (geographical) data. An emphasis will be placed on map/graphics design issues as they pertain to delivering the output in evolving media formats such as web dissemination. Prerequisite: Geog 32-545 or equivalent. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

580 Spatial Analysis and Geostatistics (3 hours)
Designed to make the student familiar with the analysis and statistical tools used by geographers. Covers the fundamental aspects of geostatistics that are used in research and business environments. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

620 GIS Theory and Research (3 hours)
A study of advanced vector data models and analytical methods using vector data. Prerequisite: Geog 32-545 or equivalent. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

630 Raster-based GIS and Modeling (3 hours)
Covers advanced topics in GIS using the raster data structure. Emphasis is placed on the use of raster-based data for spatial modeling applications. Prerequisite: Geog 32-545 or equivalent. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

640 GIS Customization (3 hours)
An advanced course in the use of programming techniques in geographic information systems. Emphasis will be placed on user-interface customization, macro-script programming, and simple simulation and modeling. Prerequisite: Geog 32-545 or equivalent. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

650 GIS Database Design (3 hours)
A comprehensive study of the process of GIS database design, including user needs assessment and conceptual, logical, and physical database design. Emphasizes design of the spatial component of GIS data. Prerequisite: Geog 32-545 or equivalent. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

655 GIS Project Management (3 hours)
A study of GIS project management at several levels, from organization planning for GIS implementation to the management of individual GIS projects. Prerequisite: Geog 32-545 or equivalent. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

660 Trends in GIS (3 hours)
A virtual seminar addressing the latest trends in Geographic Information Systems and Science. Additionally, students will develop a draft of their thesis proposal. Prerequisite: Geog 32-545 or equivalent. (online, alt. trimesters, alt. years)

699 Thesis (1-5 hours)
Required for the M.S. degree. Registration for thesis credit requires the approval of the graduate advisor and department chairperson. (F, S)