College of Geosciences
Curriculum in Spatial Sciences
A degree in Spatial Sciences offers students the opportunity to obtain a career in a cutting-edge discipline at the intersection of environmental and spatial sciences. The spatial sciences combine multidisciplinary fields of scientific study with geospatial technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Remote Sensing. A spatial sciences graduate will possess an advanced knowledge of these technologies, experience in interpretation of aerial photographs and processing of satellite images, as well as a broad understanding of computer applications and database management. Graduates are capable of working as environmental and natural resource managers and possess the necessary skills to map geographical features, patterns, and changes. Furthermore, these individuals will be able to lead and conduct modern environmental management activities.
This degree program is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Department of Forest Science and Spatial Sciences Laboratory) and the College of Geosciences (Department of Geography). Through core and supporting coursework, students will learn to utilize the full potential of the spatial sciences in real-world problem solving. From real-time wildfire risk assessment to crime analysis, habitat mapping for endangered species, and evaluating environmental damage from natural disasters, the spatial sciences are an integral part of modern resource management.
Students in this degree program receive guidance from faculty advisors in their areas of interest, and meet regularly to discuss courses and career opportunities. The total number of credit hours required for graduation is 131.
University Core Curriculum
| (Th-Pr) | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| BOTN 101 Botany or BIOL 111 Introduction to Biology |
(3-3) | 4 |
| CHEM 101 Fundamentals of Chemistry I | (3-3) | 4 |
| CHEM 102 Fundamentals of Chemistry II | (3-3) | 4 |
| COMM 203 Public Speaking | (3-0) | 3 |
| ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric | (3-0) | 3 |
| ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical Writing or ENGL 301 Technical Writing or AGJR 404 Communicating Agricultural Information to the Public |
(3-0) | 3 |
| *KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity | (0-2) | 1 |
| *KINE 199 Required Physical Activity | (0-2) | 1 |
| MATH 141 Business Math I or MATH 172 Calculus |
(3-0) | 3 |
| MATH 142 Business Math II or MATH 171 Analytic Geometry and Calculus |
(3-0) | 3 |
| POLS 206 American National Government | (3-0) | 3 |
| POLS 207 State and Local Government | (3-0) | 3 |
| RENR 205 Fundamentals of Ecology | (3-0) | 3 |
| RENR 215 Fundamentals of Ecology Lab | (0-3) | 1 |
| STAT 302 Statistical Methods or STAT 211 Principles of Statistics I |
(3-0) | 3 |
| American history electives 1 | 6 | |
| Humanities elective 1, 2 | 3 | |
| Science elective 4 | 4 | |
| Social and behavioral science 1, 3 | 3 | |
| Visual and performing arts elective 1 | 3 | |
| 61 |
Environmental Core Courses
| (Th-Pr) | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| AGEC 350 Environmental Resource Economics | (3-0) | 3 |
| AGRO 301 Soil Science | (1-3) | 4 |
| AGSM 337 Technology for Environmental and Natural Resource Engineering | (3-0) | 3 |
| BESC 403 Sampling and Environmental Monitoring | (3-0) | 3 |
| MGMT 309 The Management Process | (3-0) | 3 |
| RENR 470 Environmental Impact Assessment | (3-0) | 3 |
| Natural resource electives 5 | 12 | |
| Policy/regulation elective 6 | 3 | |
| 34 |
Spatial Sciences Courses
| (Th-Pr) | Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| CPSC 110 Programming | (3-2) | 4 |
| FRSC 398 Interpretation of Aerial Photographs | (2-3) | 3 |
| FRSC 484 Internship Credit | (0-3) | 3 |
| GEOL 352 GPS in Geosciences | (1-3) | 2 |
| RENR 444 Remote Sensing in Renewable Natural Resources | (2-3) | 3 |
| GIS Elective 7 | 3 | |
| Spatial sciences electives 8 | 9 | |
| Free electives | 9 | |
| 36 |
NOTES:
- To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. The University Core Curriculum include requirement for 6 hours of international and cultural diversity courses. Refer to the International and Cultural Diversity table for a list of acceptable courses. A course satisfying another Core category, a college/department requirement or used as a free elective can be used to satisfy these requirements. See academic advisor.
- To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from GEOG 202, 301, 305, or 323.
- To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from AGEC 105, ECON 202, GEOG 201, 304, or 440.
- To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from GEOG 203, GEOG 213, or BIOL 112.
- To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from AGRO 310, FRSC 304, RENR 375, RENR 410, RLEM 301, and/or WFSC 428.
- To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from FRSC 406, GEOG 330, MGMT 209, PLAN 365, PHIL 314, and/or WFSC 303.
- To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from FRSC 461, GEOG 390, LAND 461, or RENR 405.
- To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from AGSM 410, CPSC 206, CPSC 310, CVEN 201, ENDS 370, ENDS 375, FRSC 462, GEOG 361, GEOG 475, PLAN 365, RPTS 307, and/or STAT 212.
* See University Core Curriculum, item 7.