MS Geographic Information Science

  • This M.S. program requires 36 credit hours and completion of a project, or portfolio. Students wishing to complete a thesis should consult their advisor.
  • The program typically requires two years of full-time study, although students can pursue the degree on a part-time basis. A minimum B grade is required in each course applied toward the program requirements.
  • Throughout their studies, students work closely with their advisor to select appropriate courses.
  • A wide variety of GIS and spatial analysis programs and programming languages are learned across our GIS courses.
  • High value benefits: Exceptional number of GIS faculty, regular meetings with faculty advisor as needed, affordable tuition, strong graduate students, access to NCGIA.
  • The GIS degree provides high-impact experiential learning that develops skills employers are looking for.

GIS M.S. Requirements

Required Courses (7-15 credits):

Choose one option:

Option 1: GEO 500 Introduction to Graduate Geography

              GEO 501 Research Design

              GEO 505* Univariate Statistics

              GEO 506** Introduction to GIS or equivalent

              GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography

              (Note: GEO 505 Univariate Statistics is a prerequisite)

Option 2: GEO 504 Geography Seminar  

              One (1) GEO methods course (TBD)

              GEO 505* Univariate Statistics             

              GEO 506** Introduction to GIS or equivalent

              GEO 509 Multivariate Statistics in Geography

              (Note: GEO 505 Univariate Statistics is a prerequisite)

 

One Computer Programming Course (3-4 credits):

An approved computer programming course from the Geography or Computer Science and Engineering Department:

CSE 503 (4cr.) Computer Science for Non Majors

GEO 514 GIS and Machine Learning

GEO 555 (3cr.) Algorithms and Data Structures

GEO 503(3cr.) Topics related to Programming

Another appropriate computer programming course as approved by DGS or Chair

 

One Statistics and Quantitative Methods Course (3 credits):

GEO 502 (3cr.) Survey Research Methods

GEO 577 (3cr.) Environmental Statistics

GEO 597 (3cr.) Geo-statistics

GEO 605 (3cr.) Spatial Statistics

Another appropriate statistics course approved by the DGS or Chair

 

Five (or more) elective courses from the following list:

GEO 503 (3cr.) Geography Seminar (related to GIS)

GEO 507 (3cr.) Locational Analysis

GEO 514 (3cr.) GIS and Machine Learning

GEO 519 (3cr.) Transportation

GEO 551 (3cr.) Cartography and Geographic Visualization

GEO 553 (4cr.) Remote Sensing

GEO 555 (3cr.) GIS Algorithms and Data Structures

GEO 556 (3cr.) GIS Design

GEO 559 (4cr.) GIS and Environmental Modeling

GEO 575(3cr.)  GIS Data Science Project Management

GEO 591(3cr.)  Introduction to Geographic Information Science

GEO 593 (3cr.) Dynamic Modeling

GEO 653 (3cr.) Advanced Remote Sensing

GEO 655 (3cr.) Advanced Topics in GIS

Other appropriate courses as approved by the DGS or Chair

 

Capstone Experience (1-6 credits)

GEO 631(1-6cr.) Project Guidance

 

Optional Informal Courses – (1-4 credits)***

GEO 534 (1-4 cr.) Graduate Research Problems (Independent Study)

GEO 742 (1-3cr.) Geography Internship

 

* May be waived from GEO 505 on a case-by-case basis with appropriate prior undergraduate training at the discretion of the DGS or Chair.

** May be waived from GEO 506 on a case-by-case basis with appropriate prior undergraduate training at the discretion of the DGS or Chair

***Students may take up to 4 credits of informal coursework in addition to the other GIS requirements.

Total Credit hours required:  36

For more information on this graduate program, please send an email with your request to geog@buffalo.edu