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M.S. in Geographic Information Science

Program Overview

GIS is a key emerging and evolving industry.  "Across the country, tens of thousands of trained [geospatial] workers are needed to fill positions that are going begging."
—Emily Stover DeRocco, Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor

Both the Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (GIS) and the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science are offered at the University’s campuses in Winona and the Twin Cities.

The Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (GIS) is a 41 semester credit graduate degree intended to prepare learners for careers in the geographic information sciences. The program focuses on the application of modern spatial analytical techniques to solve real-world problems. In many organizations, the role of geographic information science includes geospatial data development and analysis as well as project management.  Learners not only learn GIS concepts and techniques, but also how to apply these in the disciplinary area of their interest, all in a residential based learning environment.

The GIS curriculum is both innovative and flexible with a broad suite of graduate-level courses delivered by a core staff of instructors. Learning is maximized through the flexibility of the curriculum as well as the multiple degree concentrations.

Areas of Concentration

Learners choose from one of five areas of concentration:

  • Natural Resource Management
  • Homeland Security/Emergency Management
  • Business Administration
  • Policy Administration/Criminal Justice
  • Project Management

In Winona, the holistic integration of GIS technologies is set in the disciplinary areas of Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Natural Resource Management, Business Administration, and Policy Administration/Criminal Justice. In the Twin Cities, the disciplinary areas include Homeland Security/Emergency Management and Project Management.  

Program Structure

The program is suited for diverse interests and provides educational opportunities for any learner regardless of background. Student-centered learning is maximized through the flexibility of offering distance-learning courses as well as multiple degree concentrations. The curriculum is divided between three components of study: resource analysis, presentation and communication, and an area of concentration.

Please visit the GIS Department Page to view student testimonials, graduate projects and alumni news.

Program Costs

Tuition is $460 per credit.  If no graduate credit is transferred in, total cost would be $18,860.  The tuition covers course fees and technology fees, but not textbooks, or room & board.  There is a $150 per credit cost for evaluation of credentials for consideration and for award of credit for prior learning (maximum of seven credits).  If credit is disallowed, no fees apply.  Tuition and fee amounts are reviewed annually, and as such are subject to change.  There is limited graduate housing on campus.  Contact the Office of Residence Life for details at reslif@smumn.edu or via phone at 800-635-5987  ext. 1409.

Start Dates

Fall semester - August, 25 2009
Spring semester - January 5, 2010



Locations

Winona
Twin Cities

Admission Contacts

Jami Spitzer - Winona               Anna Shields - Twin Cities
(507) 457-7500 (612) 728-5198
(800) 635-5987   ext: 7500 (866) 437-2788
   
GIS - Winona Campus GIS - Twin Cities Campus
Saint Mary's Univeristy of Minnesota        Saint Mary's Univeristy of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #77 2500 Park Ave
Winona, MN  55987 Minneapolis, MN  55404
Fax:  507-457-1752  
E-Mail: gis@smumn.edu  E:Mail:  tc-admission@smumn.edu

 
Letters of Reference, Resume and Personal Statement may be sent via email to the address listed above.

 


 

 Course Information

    Degree Requirements

    Required GIS Courses 19 cr.
    Required Presentation and Communication Courses   7 cr.
    Required Disciplinary Content Courses  10-11 cr.
    Elective GIS Courses  5-6 cr.
    Total  41 cr.

     

    M.S. GIS Core Curriculum

    The curriculum is divided between three components of study: resource analysis, presentation and communication, and area of concentration (Natural Resource Management, Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Business Administration, Policy Administration/Local Government/Criminal Justice).

    Resource Analysis  (19 credits)

    RA554 GIS Analysis (3 cr.)
    RA556 Spatial Data Methodology (2 cr.)
    RA632 Programming Languages (3 cr.)
    RA508 Internet Mapping Services (3 cr.)
    RA642 Database/SQL (2 cr.)
    RA660 Introduction to ArcGIS (1 cr.)
    RA563 Advanced Modeling and Analysis (2 cr.)
    RA519 Statistical Analysis (3 cr.)

    Presentation & Communication  (7credits)

    RA536 Com Strategies/Grants (3 cr.)
    RA695 Graduate Project (4 cr.)


    Resource Fundamentals Concentrations (choose 1)

    Natural Resource Management  (10 credits)

    RA545 Sustainable Resource Management (2 cr.)
    RA549 Fundamentals of Business (1 cr.)
    RA645 Project Management ( 3 cr.)
    RA651 Spatial Analysis of Geohazards using GIS (1 cr.)
    RA654 Introduction to Urban and Regional Plannning (1 cr.)
    RA655 Creating and Integrating Data for Natural Resource Applications (1 cr.)
    RA653 Natural Resource Risk Assessment and Management (1 cr.)


    Homeland Security/Emergency Management  (10 credits)

    RA645 Project Management or PRM600 Fundamentals of Project Management
           OR
    GM600 Management Principles (3 cr.)
    RA601 Community Growth (3 cr.)
    RA630 Topics: Terrorism (3 cr.) - Winona

    PSA615 Homeland Security/Emergeny Mgmt Principles (3 cr.) - Minneapolis
    RA651 Spatial Analysis of Geohazards using GIS (1 cr.)


    Business Administration  (10 credits) 

    RA--- Directed Studies – Explorations (1 cr.)
    RA574 Entrepreneurship and Small Business (3 cr.)
    RA577 Market Research (3 cr.)
    RA645 Project Management (3 cr.)


    Policy Administration/Local Government/Criminal Justice (10 - 11 credits) 

    RA549 Fundamentals of Business (1 cr.)
    RA586 Field Methods (3 cr.)
    RA645 Project Management (3 cr.)
    RA587 Planning, Budgeting and Control (3 cr.) 
            OR
    RA591 Macro Planning and Evaluation (4 cr.)


    Project Management - Minneapolis (9 credits)
     

    PRM600 Fundamentals of Project Management (3 cr.)

              OR
    GM600 Management Principles (3 cr.)
    PRM601 Project Planning and Estimation (3 cr.)
    GM660 Financial Management (3 cr.) 
           


  • RA508 Internet Mapping Services (3 cr)
  • RA519 Statistical Analysis (3 cr)
  • RA536 Com Strategies/Grants (3 cr)
  • RA545 Sustainable Resource Management (2 cr)
  • RA549 Fundamentals of Business (1 cr)
  • RA554 GIS Analysis (3 cr)
  • RA556 Spatial Data Methodology (2 cr)
  • RA563 Advanced Modeling and Analysis (2 cr)
  • RA574 Entrepreneurship and Small Business (3 cr)
  • RA577 Market Research (3 cr)
  • RA586 Field Methods (3 cr)
  • RA587 Planning, Budgeting and Control (3 cr)
  • RA591 Macro Planning and Evaluation (4 cr)
  • RA601 Community Growth (3 cr)
  • RA630 Terrorism (3 cr)
  • RA632 Programming Languages (3 cr)
  • RA642 Database – Access and SQL (2 cr)
  • RA645 Project Management (2 cr)
  • RA651 Spatial Analysis of Geohazards using GIS (1 cr)
  • RA660 Introduction to ArcGIS (1 cr)
  • RA695 Graduate Project (4 cr)
  • RA653 Natrual Resource Risk Assessment and Management (1 cr)
  • RA654 Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning (1 cr)
  • RA655 Creating and Integrating Data for Natural Resource Applications (1 cr)
  • PRM600 Fundamentals of Project Management (3 cr)
  • PRM601 Project Planning and Estimating (3 cr)
  • GM600 Management Principles (3 cr)
  • GM660 Financial Management (3 cr)
  • PSA615 Homeland Security and Emergency Management Princip (3 cr)
 Elective Courses

    Electives

    Learners have the option to select courses from the pool of electives. Electives exist to supplement, support, and embellish a learner’s area of interest. Although it is highly recommended and encouraged to pursue electives in the classroom-based setting, a rich suite of options and learning styles exist to help facilitate learner interests and needs. Elective course offerings exist in a variety of learning methods including the following:

    Traditional Electives
    These courses are highly recommended as they offer a wide range of analytical application and classroom mentored hands-on instruction:

    RA570 Advanced GIS (3 cr.)
    RA506 GIS Customization (3cr.)

    IAEGS Distance-Learning Electives
    These courses focus on distance-based concepts and theory learning though the Institute of Advanced Educational Geospatial Sciences (IAEGS)

    RA559 Imagery (3 cr.)
    RA600 Business Geographics (3 cr.)
    RA601 Community Growth (3 cr.)
    RA602 Decision Support Systems (3 cr.)

    ESRI Distance-Learning Electives
    ESRI distance courses are supplemented with additional graduate credit expectations beyond the normal course offered by ESRI. Several approved courses include the following:

    RA560 Introduction to ArcView 3.x (1 cr.)
    RA561Spatial Analysis of GeoHazards (1 cr.)

    Note: a maximum of five (5) credits of distance-learning courses may be applied to the Master of Geographic Information Science though learners are encouraged to take others to support and enhance their career goals and aspirations. Distance-learning coursework totals apply to both disciplinary tracks and/or electives.

  • RA506 GIS Customization (3 cr)
  • RA559 Introduction to Imagery (3 cr)
  • RA560 Arcview (1 cr)
  • RA570 Advanced GIS (3 cr)
  • RA601 Community Growth (3 cr)
  • RA602 Decision Support Systems (3 cr)


Program Staff
Biology - Professor, Geographical Information Science - Professor
Geographic Information Science - GIS Analyst/Instructor, TC - Assistant MSGIS Program Director
Geographical Information Science / Resource Analysis - Instructor