Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences
Geospatial information sciences (GISc) harness groundbreaking technologies to analyze features of the Earth's surface in new and novel ways that make location and interaction key to our understanding. GISc graduates will master technologies that not only guide us to our destinations but also help us manage our environments.
Recent technological innovations have greatly enhanced our ability to collect and analyze information regarding the Earth's surface and to combine data with other types of economic, social and environmental information. These technologies include geographic information systems (GIS), the Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite-based remote sensing. They penetrate virtually every aspect of our lives, from digital maps in cars to the maintenance of city infrastructure, regional agriculture and forest lands.
GIS has revolutionized traditional disciplines such as geography and inspired scientists from a broad range of fields to combine efforts on leading-edge research.
Careers in Geospatial Information Sciences
GIS graduates will encounter a wide variety of career options, as businesses and governments race to take advantage of technological advances. If they wish to enter the public sector, they may work in areas such as public administration and policy analysis; public safety, criminology and emergency preparedness management; environmental management; or urban, regional, social service and transportation planning. Businesses also recruit GISc graduates, especially companies focused on marketing; site selection, logistics and real estate; resource exploration (including petroleum) and others.
Students who graduate with a BS also may move on to graduate school, perhaps entering UT Dallas’ highly regarded MS or PhD geospatial programs.
The University’s Career Center is an important resource for students pursuing their career. Licensed counselors are available to provide strategies for mastering job interviews, writing professional cover letters and resumes and help students connect with campus recruiters, among other services.
Geospatial Information Sciences at UT Dallas
The general BS degree requires 120 hours to graduate: 42 hours from the University’s core curriculum, 46 hours from the major and 32 hours of electives.
Fast-Track
UT Dallas undergraduates who meet the requirements for admission to graduate school and have at least a 3.25 UT Dallas cumulative GPA should consider the Fast-Track option. Fast-Track allows students to take up to 15 credit hours of graduate courses their senior year that count toward both their bachelor's degree and a master's degree. Students who successfully complete the Fast-Track requirements are not required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) before entering the master's program.
The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS)
Every new generation inherits a world more complex than that of their forefathers, which prompts a need for new thinking about public policies that impact people's daily lives. While our colleagues in the School of Management or the Jonsson School of Engineering are creating new managerial or technological systems, we in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) examine the implications of innovation and change for individuals and communities.
As an undergraduate in EPPS, you will have the chance to work with professors who are probing issues that will affect your future. You will develop the vital skills you need to thrive in a rapidly evolving, highly competitive job market. EPPS will prepare you for careers in government, non-profits and the private sector that enable you to make a real difference in the world of today and tomorrow.
Consider the following example of exciting work under way in EPPS. One of the most complex issues of our time is undoubtedly the question of how to improve public education. You hear rival opinions everywhere about the right way to fix our educational system. But researchers from a variety of disciplines within EPPS are working collaboratively to examine the hard data and measure efficiency, and their research could lead to improvements in educational practice and improve our children's ability to compete in a dynamic society.
EPPS is at the forefront of leadership, ethics and innovation in the public and nonprofit sectors. Our students and faculty look forward to new opportunities to study and address the complex and evolving issues of the future.
Research informs much of the instruction. The school has eight centers of excellence:
- Center for Behavioral and Experimental Economic Science
- Center for Crime and Justice Studies
- Center for Global Collective Action
- Center for the Study of Texas Politics
- Institute of Public Affairs
- Institute for Urban Policy Research
- Texas Schools Project
- The Negotiations Center
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts: Criminology, economics, geography, geospatial information sciences, international political economy, public affairs, political science, sociology
Master of Science: Criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, international political economy, applied sociology, justice administration and leadership
Master of Arts: Political science, political science-constitutional law, political science-legislative studies
Master of Public Affairs: Public affairs
Master of Public Policy: Public policy
Doctor of Philosophy: Criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, public affairs, public policy and political economy, political science
Certificates
The certificates offered through EPPS are:
Geographic Information Systems (GISc): a 15-hour graduate-level certificate focusing on the application of GIS in government, private sector and scientific areas, which can be completed in one year of part-time evening classes.
Remote Sensing: a 15-hour for-credit graduate certificate focusing on remote sensing and digital image processing, which can be completed in one year of part-time evening study.
Geospatial Intelligence: a 15-hour graduate certificate focusing on the application of geospatial ideas and techniques to national security and other intelligence activity.
Public Affairs: 15-hour graduate-level certificates in homeland security, local government management, city planning and nonprofit management.
Geographic information systems (GIS) offers a for-credit, 15-hour graduate-level certificate focusing on the application of GIS in government, private sector and scientific areas, which can be completed in one year of part-time evening study.
The public affairs program offers 15-hour graduate-level certificates in homeland security, local government management, city planning and nonprofit management.
Contact Information
Recruitment Officer
EPPSrecruit@utdallas.edu
School Of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
The University of Texas at Dallas
800 West Campbell Road GR 31
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
Office of Admission and Enrollment Services
800 West Campbell Road ROC 11
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
Phone: 972-883-2270 or 1-800-889-2443
E-mail: interest@utdallas.edu
Website: utdallas.edu/enroll
