College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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.

FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
CHEM 101 Fundamentals of Chemistry I (3-3) 4   BIOL 111 Intro. to Biology I
or
BOTN 101 Botany		 (3-3) 4
ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric (3-0) 3   CHEM 102 Fundamentals of Chemistry II (3-3) 4
MATH 141 Business Mathematics I (3-0) 3   MATH 142 Business Mathematics II (3-0) 3
History elective1   3   History elective1   3
Humanities elective2   3   KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity (0-2) 1
    16       15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
  (Th-Pr) Cr     (Th-Pr) Cr
COMM 203 Public Speaking (3-0) 3   AGEC 350 Env. and Nat. Resource Economics (3-0) 3
CPSC 110 Programming I (3-2) 4   AGRO 301 Soil Science (3-2) 4
RENR 205 Fund. of Ecology (3-0) 3   POLS 206 American National Govt. (3-0) 3
RENR 215 Fund. of Ecology Lab. (0-3) 1   STAT 211 Prin. of Statistics I
or
STAT 302 Statistical Methods		   3
Communication elective3   3   Natural resource elective4   3
KINE 199 Required Physical Activity (0-2) 1       17
    15        
JUNIOR YEAR
  (Th-Pr) Cr     (Th-Pr) Cr
AGSM 337 Tech. for Env. and Nat. Resource Engineering (3-0) 3   BIOL 112 Intro. Biology II
or
GEOG 203 Planet Earth		 (3-2) 4
GEOG 398 Interpretation of Aerial Photos (2-3) 3   GEOL 352 GPS in the Geosciences (1-3) 2
MGMT 309 Survey of Management (3-0) 3   POLS 207 State and Local Govt. (3-0) 3
GIS elective5   3   RENR 444 Remote Sens. in Rew. Nat. Res. (2-3) 3
Natural resource elective4   3   Natural resource elective4   3
Social and behavioral science elective6   3   Elective   3
    18       17
SENIOR YEAR
  (Th-Pr) Cr     (Th-Pr) Cr
BESC 403 Sampling and Env. Monitoring (2-3) 3   RENR 470 Env. Impact Assessment (3-0) 3
FRSC 484 Internship   3   Spatial sciences electives7   6
Spatial sciences elective7   3   Policy/regulations elective9   3
Natural resource elective4   3   Elective   3
Visual and performing arts elective8   3       15
Elective   3        
    18        
NOTES:
  1. History electives to be selected from the University Core Curriculum.
  2. To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from GEOG 202, 301, 305, or 323.
  3. To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from ENGL 210, 301; AGJR 404.
  4. To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from AGRO 310; FRSC 304; RENR 375, 410; RLEM 301; WFSC 428.
  5. To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from FRSC 461, GEOG 390, LAND 461, RENR 405.
  6. To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from AGEC 105, ECON 202; GEOG 201, 304, 440.
  7. To be selected in consultation with academic advisor from AGSM 410; CPSC 206, 310; CVEN 201; ENDS 370, 375; FRSC 462; GEOG 361, 475; PLAN 365; RPTS 307; STAT 212.
  8. Visual and performing arts electives to be selected from the University Core Curriculum.
  9. To be selected in consultation with faculty academic advisor from FRSC 406, GEOG 330, MGMT 209, PHIL 314, PLAN 365, WFSC 303.

* See University Core Curriculum, item 7.