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Program Overview
Do you wish to develop technical skills in a growing professional field? Would you like to acquire specialized training to meet current or future job requirements calling for GIS knowledge? If so, then our Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) program is for you. You will develop the skills and experience to succeed in one of the top emerging professions.
By using geographical data and advanced computer technology, students in the Geographic Information Systems & Technology major will learn to assemble, manipulate, analyze, and visualize spatial data to solve problems and make decisions. Our faculty help students gain familiarity with cartography, spatial and statistical analysis, computer science, remote sensing, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to prepare for careers as technicians, analysts, programmers, database managers, consultants, or planners. Students will build foundational knowledge in Geographic Information Systems and then choose their focus through electives. They may follow a more applied focus with training in surveying, drafting, or landscape/environmental change, or they may follow a programming- and database-intensive path by completing coursework in computer programming, web services and application development, and database management.
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Skills and Competencies
As in most other fields, strong interpersonal communications and organizational skills are a must for any professional. Some other valuable skills and competencies specific to a profession in GIST are leadership capabilities, critical thinking, organization, mapping, spatial analysis, statistical analysis, and remote sensing and data analysis.
Major Requirements
Students must complete all courses listed in Core Requirements, as well as 12 credits of elective coursework to facilitate specialization in either the: a) database/programming trajectory, or b) applied/analysis trajectory.
Core Requirements (38 cr.)
- CS 101 Web Site Construction [INTT] (4 cr.)
- GC 100 Physical Geography [SCII] or
GC 101 Introduction to Environmental Science (4 cr.) [INTT] or
GC 164 Human Geography (4 cr.) [SOCR] - GC 205 Introduction to Geographic Research (4 cr.)
- GC 225 Introduction to Maps (2 cr.)
- GC 235 Quantitative Methods (4 cr.)
- GC 335 Geographic Information Systems (4 cr.)
- GC 337 Cartographic Design (4 cr.) (formerly Computer Cartography)
- GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
- GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
- GC 489 Human-Environment Capstone (4 cr.) or
GC 488 Earth and Environmental Science Capstone Research (4 cr.)
Electives (12 cr.)
Choose 12 credits from the following:
- AD 118 Graphic Design: Foundations (4 cr.)
- CN 254 Construction Survey and Layout (3 cr.)
- CS 120 Computer Science I (4 cr.) [QUAR]
- CS 122 Computer Science II (4 cr.)
- CS 201 Programming in C++ (3 cr.)
- CS 222 Data Structures (4 cr.)
- CS 365 Client-Side Web Programming (4 cr.)
- CS 465 Server-Side Web Programming (3 cr.)
- DD 100 Technical Drafting with Introduction to CAD (4 cr.)
- GC 412 Database Development (4 cr.)
- GC 431 Landscape Dynamics and Analysis (4 cr.)
- GC 491 Internship (2-6 cr.)
Where Have Our GIST Students Interned?
The following is a partial listing of organizations and businesses where our have interned.
- Ceiba Foundation—GIS assistant for Reforestation Project in Ecuador
- City of Marquette—GIS assistant
- Marquette Board of Light and Power—GIS/Distribution Engineering Intern
- Marquette County Equalization Department—GIS assistant
- Marquette County Planning Department—planning assistant
- The Nature Conservancy—preserve steward; GIS and data analyst to study vegetation change
- Ottawa County GIS Department—GIS intern
- Paces AI, Inc.—GIS intern
- Upper Peninsula Power Company—GIS support
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Declaring the GIST Major
We strongly encourage you to meet with one of our Senior Success Advisors in EEGS before declaring the major, as they can provide valuable guidance and will work with you to develop a degree plan. Our Success Advisors are:
- Ruth Abbott (rabbott@nmu.edu; schedule a meeting)
- Lauren Anargyros (lanargyr@nmu.edu; schedule a meeting)
- Kelsey Avey (kavey@nmu.edu; schedule a meeting)
- Jose' Garcia (jogarcia@nmu.edu; schedule a meeting)
When you are ready to declare:
- You many submit your request to change a major or a minor on the web on the Change or Declare a Major page.
- Enter your name, NMU IN, email address, class standing, check the "change my major" box, and input any additional relevant comments. For Earth Science be sure to select a concentration if you are under the Fall 2023 (or more recent) Bulletin.
- Submit the declare request.
You may also visit the Student Success Office in 3302 C.B. Hedgcock Building to make the change in person.