Undergraduate
Minor in Geospatial Sciences (GSS) 18-19 Credits
Geospatial analysis is a powerful tool used across diverse fields for research, decision-making, data analysis, and strategic planning. The Minor in Geospatial Science is a flexible program designed to complement any majors, equipping students with essential skills to enhance their career opportunities.
The Minor in Geospatial Sciences is a flexible program designed to complement any major, equipping students with essential skills in geospatial analysis. Open to students from diverse academic backgrounds, this minor provides hands-on training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, enabling students to collect, analyze, and visualize spatial data effectively. Additionally, students can tailor their learning experience by selecting from a variety of electives, allowing them to deepen their expertise in geospatial sciences and apply these valuable skills to their chosen field.
Graduates with a GIS minor stand out in the job market, offering a unique blend of technical proficiency and analytical skills that are highly valued by employers. Many go on to work for federal, state, and local governments such as NGA, USGS, EPA, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYC, utility companies, and private firms specializing in geospatial solutions. Others use GIS to enhance careers in social justice, epidemiology, climate research, or business intelligence. Whether pursuing graduate studies or entering the workforce, students with GIS expertise gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving, data-driven world.
Click here to see the requirements for the minor in Geospatial Sciences (GSS).
- At least 12 credits applied to the minor may not be applied to any major or other minor.
- No more than one three-credit course in the minor may be taken under the Pass/No Credit option.
- All upper-division courses offered for the minor must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher.
- Completion of the minor requires 18-19 credits.
Note: A maximum of six credits of GSS 487 Geospatial Science Research and/or GSS 488
Geospatial Science Internship may be applied to the minor.
Declaration of the Minor
Students should declare the Geospatial Sciences minor no later than the middle of their sophomore year, at which time they should consult with the minor Faculty Director to plan their course of study for fulfillment of the requirements.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions
GSS 105 - Introduction to Maps and Mapping : An introduction to the study and design of map formats, symbology, coordinate systems, and how maps record the historical patterns of human behavior. The course will also examine maps as a tool to analyze human activity and societal development, and include important aspects of map data collection, processing, the Global Positioning System (GPS), quantitative mapping, and GIS-based mapmaking techniques. 3 credits.
GSS 309: GIS and Cartography: Cartography is the knowledge associated with the art, science, and technology of maps. Digital computer cartography still follows the same fundamental principles and still requires a broad understanding of graphicacy as a language (as well as numeracy and literacy). This course will provide an introduction to cartographic principles, concepts, software and hardware necessary to produce good maps, especially in the context (and limitations) of geographic information systems (GIS). Prerequisite: SBC 113, 3 credits.
GSS 313: GIS Design and Application I: Provides the basic concepts underlying modern geographic information science and technology. Emphasis is placed on the principles of GIS for characterizing environmental systems and computer-based techniques for processing and analyzing spatial data. The course is three credit hours of lecture. This lecture course must be taken in the same semester as the associated one credit laboratory course GSS 314. Not for credit in addition to GSS 317. Prerequisite: MAT 125 or MAT 131, 3 credits.
GSS 314: GIS Laboratory: Practice using the GIS techniques and tools learned in the lecture (GSS 313), work on exercises, and process and analyze the spatial data for the course project. This laboratory course must be taken in the same semester as GSS 313. Co-requisite: GSS 313, 1 credit.
GSS 317: Geospatial Narratives: Deep Mapping for Humanities and Social Sciences: Building on formal methods in qualitative reasoning, spatial and temporal representation and geospatial science, this course will explore state-of-the-art methods for humanities and social sciences students to visualize and drill down data. Hands-on exercises of deep mapping will cover how to collect, analyze and visualize quantitative and qualitative data, spatial data, images, video, audio, and other representations of places and artifacts in humanities and social sciences. This course will also discuss models of reasoning about events, actions and changes that are spatially contextualized. Not for credit in addition to GSS 313. Prerequisite: WRT 102, Advisory Prerequisite: some working knowledge of spreadsheets, 3 credits.
GSS 323: GIS Database and Design: Concepts of geodatabase design and management in geographic information systems (GIS), SQL statements, geographic data types and functions, data entry, techniques of geographic information structure applications. This is a Windows based computer class with the majority of students work involving GIS computer software. Prerequisite: GSS 313, 3 credits.
GSS 325: GIS Design & Applications II: The course builds upon the topics covered in GIS Design and Application I. It emphasizes the applications of GIS in solving real-world problems. Students are expected to gain an understanding of GIS theory, methodology and most importantly application. Students are also expected to demonstrate abilities of spatial thinking, spatial analysis, and be able to solve practical spatial problems utilizing a GIS. Because GIS is both a tool for analysis and the visual communication of these data, students will be required to develop a GIS presentation, much as would be expected in a professional setting. This independent project will constitute a substantial portion of the final grade. This is a Windows based computer class with the majority of students work involving GIS computer software. Prerequisite: GSS 313 or equivalent, 3 credits.
GSS 326: GIS Project Management: The course addresses issues unique to a GIS operation such as implementation issues, decision making procedures, strategies for success, legal issues, involvement of management, marking within an organization, strategic planning, and industry outlook. Prerequisite: GSS 313, 3 credits.
GSS 350: Applied Spatial Data Analysis: An introduction to geospatial statistical analysis that aims to provide students with the background necessary to investigate geographically represented data. The specific focus is on spatial data analysis, such as the analysis of autocorrelation, principles of geostatistics and analysis methods that are relevant in the fields of public health, environmental/earth science and social science. An important aspect of the course is to gain hands-on experience in applying these techniques with GIS and spatial analytical software, and essential methodological and practical issues that are involved in sophisticated spatial analyses. Prerequisite: AMS 102 or equivalent and GSS 313, 3 credits.
GSS 354: Geospatial Science for the Coastal Zone: The use of spatial data is becoming increasingly critical in the decision management process and planning of the coastal zone. This course will use GIS and Remote sensing tools to collect and analyze data for integrating into the management, planning, and monitoring of the coastal geomorphology and ecosystems. Prerequisite:GSS 313, 3 credits.
GSS 355: Remote Sensing GIS Data: Provides a basic overview of the technology by which aircraft and satellite images of the Earth are produced as well as hands on experience manipulating and interpreting. Students gain practical experience in environmental analysis using satellite imagery and commonly used sensors and analytical methods for the Earth sciences. Prerequisite: GSS 105 or MAR 104 or GEO 102, 3 credits.
GSS 390: Topics in Geospatial Science: Course will present special interest topics or recent software enhancements in the rapidly developing field of Geospatial Science. The course will include a mixture of core geospatial techniques and recently released methodology. Course content will include a diversity of Geospatial topics and include discipline specific topics relevant to majors in physical sciences, social sciences, business and engineering. Repeatable as the topic changes to a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisite: U3 or U4 status or permission of the instructor, can be taken for 1-6 credits.
GSS 475: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum: Student will Work with a faculty member as assistant in a regularly scheduled course. The student must attend all classes and carry out all assignments; in addition the student will be assigned a specific role to assist in teaching the course. The student will meet with the instructor on a regular basis to discuss intellectual and pedagogical matters relating to the course. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor, 0-3 credits, S/U grading.
GSS 487: Geospatial Science Research: Qualified advanced undergraduates may carry out individual research projects under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Repeatable to a maximum of 3 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor, 0-6 credits.
GSS 488: Geospatial Science Internship: The GSS Internship is designed to provide students experience in the real workplace. Interns are expected to function as a GIS/Remote Sensing professional and work within the existing host facility structure or on a free standing project. Interns will complete assigned tasks by hosting facility such as GIS data entry, data retrieval, remote sensing analysis, GPS field work, documentation, or general GIS facility duties. These activities will be monitored by both a representative of the host facility and the instructor. May be repeated to a limit of 12 credits. Prerequisites:U3/U4 status and permission of the Undergraduate Program Director, 0-12 credits, S/U grading.
MAR 334: Remote Sensing of the Environment: A study of the theory of remote sensing and its application in the fields of atmospheric science and oceanography. A discussion of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with rough surfaces and the atmosphere is followed by a treatment of sensors and platforms. The remainder of the course is devoted to data processing techniques involved in remote sensing. Prerequisite: One of the following: ENS/PHY 119 or PHY 125 or PHY 131 or PHY 141, 3 credits.
GEO 347: Remote Sensing: An introduction to the fundamental principles of remote sensing, with emphasis on geological and environmental applications. Discussion of the physical basis for remote sensing techniques. Survey of commonly used sensors and image analysis methods in earth sciences. Use of remotely sensed data in geographic information systems. Participants gain practical experience in geologic analysis using satellite imagery. Prerequisite: GEO 102 or GEO 106 or GEO 122, 3 credits.
ATM 320: Problem Solving with Python: This class provides a working knowledge of Python. Students learn to write Python programs, manipulate data structures, produce figures and animations, and carry out statistical and mathematical applications. Each student works on an individual project that applies Python to analyze weather or climate data. Prerequisite: MAT 126 or MAT 132 or MAT 142 or MAT 171 or level 8 on the MPE, 3 credits.
BIO 319: Landscape Ecology Laboratory: A computer lab course focusing on spatial concepts, methods, and tools for addressing ecological and environmental problems. The course will be based on fundamental concepts in ecology and environmental science and extend that knowledge, as well as teaching technical skills, including the use of geographic information systems (GIS) software, image processing, spatially explicit modeling, and spatial statistics. The lab exercises will introduce a variety of spatial approaches addressing problems in environmental protection, ecotoxicology, natural resource management, conservation biology, and wildlife management. Pre- or Corequisite: BIO 201 and BIO 204 Advisory Prerequisite: AMS 110 or BIO 211; BIO 351
For more information on GSS, please visit : Geospatial Sciences at Stony Brook