Programs and Courses Geospatial Information Science and Engineering (GIScE)

Graduate Programs of Study

The GIScE program offered by the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering provides M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. For more information visit our department’s study areas within the ESF Catalog (scroll down to find the GIScE program). Here are some general guidelines for coursework depending on the program you enter:

M.S. candidates
- Departmental policy: at least 24 credits of graduate courses and at least 6 credits of thesis
- At least 9 credits of courses within the department
- At least 3 credits of courses from outside the department

Ph.D. candidates
- Departmental policy: at least 30 credits of graduate courses and a maximum of 30 credits for dissertation
- At least 12 credits of courses within the department
- At least 6 credits of courses from outside the department

Pre- or Co-Requisite Courses

Pre- or co-requisite courses include calculus, physics, probability and statistics, and programming. These courses are typically taken prior to enrolling in the graduate program, but there are cases when some are taken concurrently with your graduate degree. However, such courses do not typically count towards graduate credit.

GIScE Courses

GIS-based Modeling (3cr)
Intro to Spatial Information (1cr)
Spatial Analysis (3cr)
Intro to Global Positioning Systems (1cr)
GIS for Engineers (3cr)
Principles of Remote Sensing (4cr)
Digital Image Analysis (3cr)
Remote Sensing of the Environment (3cr)
Artificial Intelligence in Geography (1cr)
Advanced Topics in Geoscience (3 cr)
Geographic Modeling* (3cr)
Environmental Geographic Information Science** (3cr)
Geography and the Internet** (3cr)
Map Design** (3cr)
Geographic Information Systems** (3cr)
Spatial Statistics** (3cr)
Geographic Information and Society** (3cr)

Additional Environmental Courses

Ecological Engineering in the Tropics (3cr)
Ecological Engineering for Waste Management (3cr)
Engineering Hydrology & Hydraulics (3cr)
Open Channel Hydraulics (3cr)
Water Pollution Engineering (3cr)
Systems Ecology* (4cr)
Landscape Ecology* (4cr)

Additional Mathematical Courses

Statistical Analysis* (3cr)
Intro to Sampling Techniques* (3cr)
Multivariate Statistical Methods* (3cr)
Nonparametric Stats* (3cr)
Analysis of Variance* (3cr)
Regression Analysis* (3cr)

Additional Computing Courses

Design and Analysis of Algorithms** (3cr)
Introduction to Artificial Neural Networks** (3cr)
Introduction to Database Management Systems** (3cr)
Data Mining** (3cr)
Principles of Programming I** (3cr)

(*) denotes ESF courses offered outside the ERE department
(**) denotes courses available at neighboring Syracuse University

Depending on interest, students may select environmental, mathematical and/or computing courses. The above list is only a guide, students will work with their advisor to create an individualized program of study. A complete list with additional ESF courses is available for the Fall and Spring semesters.

For additional information on publications, research and teaching activities please visit the corresponding faculty webpage (Dr. Mountrakis, Dr. Quackenbush).