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 Ecosystem Science and Management) 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.
| Course | (Th-Pr) | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 101 Botany | (3-3) | 4 |
| CHEM 101 and 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I and Lab. | 4 | |
| COMM 203 Public Speaking | (3-0) | 3 |
| ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric | (3-0) | 3 |
| MATH 141 Business Mathematics I | (3-0) | 3 |
| MATH 142 Business Mathematics II | (3-0) | 3 |
| POLS 206 American National Govt. | (3-0) | 3 |
| POLS 207 State and Local Govt. | (3-0) | 3 |
| History electives1 | 6 | |
| Humanities elective2 | 3 | |
| Social and behavioral science elective3 | 3 | |
| Visual and performing arts elective4 | 3 | |
| *KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity | (0-2) | 1 |
| *KINE 199 Required Physical Activity | (0-2) | 1 |
| 43 | ||
Spatial Science Core Courses |
||
| AGEC 350 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | (3-0) | 3 |
| AGSM 337 Technology for Environmental and Natural Resource Engineering | (3-0) | 3 |
| AGRO 301 Soil Science | (3-2) | 4 |
| BESC 403 Sampling and Environmental Monitoring | (2-3) | 3 |
| BIOL 112 Intro. to Biology II or GEOG 203 Planet Earth |
4 | |
| CHEM 102 and 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II and Lab. | 4 | |
| CPSC 110 Programming I | (3-2) | 4 |
| FRSC 398 Interpretation of Aerial Photos | (2-3) | 3 |
| FRSC 484 Internship6 | 3 | |
| GEOL 352 GPS in the Geosciences | (1-3) | 2 |
| MGMT 309 Survey of Management | (3-0) | 3 |
| RENR 205 Fundamentals of Ecology | (3-0) | 3 |
| RENR 215 Fundamentals of Ecology Lab | (0-3) | 1 |
| RENR 444 Remote Sensing in RENR | (2-3) | 3 |
| RENR 470 Env. Impact Assessment | (3-0) | 3 |
| Communication elective5 | 3 | |
| GIS elective7 | 3 | |
| Natural resource electives8 | 12 | |
| Policy and regulations elective9 | 3 | |
| Spatial science electives10 | 9 | |
| Statistics elective11 | 3 | |
| Free electives | 9 |
NOTES:
- History electives to be selected from the University Core Curriculum.
- Humanities elective choose from GEOG 202, 301, 305, or 323.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences elective choose from AGEC 105, ECON 202; GEOG 201, 304, 440.
- Visual and performing arts elective to be chosen from the University Core Curriculum.
- Communication elective choose from ENGL 210, 301; AGJR 404.
- Internship to be approved by an academic advisor.
- GIS elective choose from FRSC 461, GEOG 390, LAND 461, RENR 405.
- Natural Resource electives choose from AGRO 310; FRSC 304; RENR 375, 410; RLEM 301; WFSC 428.
- Policy and Regulations elective choose from FRSC 406, GEOG 330, MGMT 209, PHIL 314, PLAN 365, WFSC 303.
- Spatial Science elective choose from AGSM 410; CPSC 206, 310; CVEN 201; ENDS 370, 375; FRSC 462; GEOG 361, 475; PLAN 365; RPTS 307; STAT 212.
- Statistics elective choose from STAT 211 or 302.
* See University Core Curriculum, item 7.