Primary Contact

Chelsea Smith - Evans Liberal Arts 136 
Phone 512-245-1852 / Email

Major Advisor

Dr. Alberto Giordano ELA 121-A / 512.245.6581 / Email

Major Faculty / Advisors

Dr. Nate Currit, Dr. Sven Fuhrmann, Dr. Alberto Giordano, Dr. Susan Macey,  Dr. Yongmei Lu and Dr. Benjamin Zhan, Dr. Edwin Chow, Dr. Jennifer Jensen, and Dr. Niem Huynh          

Major Description

The general philosophy of the program stresses the importance of a content-rich background in geography along with principles and techniques of Geographic Information Science: GIS; remote sensing; visualization; cartography; spatial modeling; and quantitative methods. The major in geographic information science was developed and structured for positions in local, state, and federal agencies, commercial companies, planning departments, engineering firms, utility companies, and many others. To prepare for GI Science careers, many students perform internships with government agencies or private firms as part of their academic program. 

Geographic Information Science Major Course Checklist

Pre-Major Requirements

Students who meet the university admission requirements enter the Department of Geography’s undergraduate program as pre-majors. To become a major in geography, students must:

1. Complete GEO 1309 and/or GEO 1310, GEO 2410 & GEO 3301 with a minimum grade of C for each course.
2. Complete 45 or more credit hours with an overall minimum GPA of 2.25 for all courses.

Degree / Major Requirements

1. Students majoring in Geographic Information Science complete the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.
2. The B.S. degree requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of geography with:   
    a) at least a 2.5 GPA for all geography courses attempted at Texas State University and  
    b) at least a 2.25 GPA for all courses taken at Texas State University. 
3. The degree requires a minor area of study with a minimum of 18 semester hours.
4. Texas State requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of coursework to graduate including:
    a) general education core requirements;
    b) major requirements;
    c) minor requirements; and   
    d) Additional elective courses selected from disciplines other than major or minor.
5. At least 36 semester hours must be advanced (3000 – 4000) level courses.   
6. At least 9 semester hours must be writing intensive (WI).
7. This major concentration also requires an additional three hours of computer science or three hours of    
    mathematics beyond the general education core mathematics requirement.

Minor Requirements

Minor may be any approved Texas State minor. Computer science, computer information systems, math or business may serve as an appropriate minor depending upon student interest and career goals. Discuss these and other possible options with your advisor.
 
Optional Certificates

Geographic Information System (GIS) - The GIS Certificate requires completion of 16 hours:  GEO 2426 & (Choose one: GEO 2427 or GEO 3411 or GEO 3416) & GEO 4426 & GEO 4427 with a minimum grade of C for each course and an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 for all four courses. Additional course work beyond minimum degree/major requirements may be required for the certificate. 

Water Resources Policy -The Water Resources Policy Certificate requires completion of 13 hours: GEO 3434,  GEO 4313, GEO 4314 and GEO 4341 (spring only) with a minimum grade of C for each course and an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 for all four courses. Additional course work beyond minimum degree/major requirements may be required for the certificate.