See how Saint Louis University is helping to transform St. Louis into a modern hub for geospatial science and research.
Saint Louis University's oldest academic unit offers degrees in more than 30 academic areas.
Saint Louis University’s master’s program in geographic information science addresses an increasing demand for professionals with geospatial science skills. It offers a combination of geospatial theory and practical training.
The interdisciplinary Master of Science (M.S.) in Geographic Information Science (GIScience), also known as Geospatial Science, from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Saint Louis University, is offered in cooperation with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and other departments that offer GIScience courses (e.g., Departments of Biology and Computer Science). The program combines geospatial theory and practical training in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and global positioning system software. The program prepares students to become experts well qualified to meet the increasing demand for experts in geospatial analytics, imaging science, photogrammetry, spatial statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. As an interdisciplinary program, the M.S. in GIScience focuses on research to address environmental, social and economic issues.
Students apply GIS, remote sensing, geovisualization, spatial analysis and statistics, database management and GIS programming within natural science, social science and integrative human-environment domains using innovative technologies and software programs (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, ENVI+IDL, SARscape, Python, GeoDA, R).
Students in the program choose from the following completion options:
Students who choose the coursework-only or the coursework-plus-research-project options can structure their coursework to complete the program in one year.
Other program highlights:
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences faculty work and conduct research in the field. They have been awarded grants from various institutions, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Geological Society of America, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, National Institutes of Health, National Park Service, National Science Foundation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Electric Power Research Institute, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Ameren and others.
Graduates from SLU’s GIS master’s program have a very good employment outlook. According to the Geospatial Information and Technology Association, employment in this field is growing at an annual rate of almost 35 percent, with the commercial subsection of the market expanding by 100% each year.
Recent graduates from this program have been employed by various environmental, remote sensing and GIS companies, including Bayer, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
The final deadline for fall admittance is May 1 for international students and Aug. 1 for domestic students. To be considered for assistantships, students should apply by Feb. 1.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received, beginning Aug. 1 and continuing until the July 1 general application deadline.
For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GIS 5010 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GIS 5020 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GIS 5040 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 |
GIS 5060 | Geospatial Methods in Environmental Studies | 3 |
GIS 5070 | Research Methods | 3 |
GIS 5080 | Digital Cartography and Geovisualization | 3 |
GIS Electives | 12 | |
Select four from the following: | ||
Geographic Information Systems in Biology | ||
Object-Oriented Programming | ||
Data Structures | ||
Introduction to Machine Learning | ||
Deep Learning | ||
Computer Vision | ||
Image Processing | ||
Introduction to Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
Advanced Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
Machine Learning for GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
Microwave Remote Sensing: SAR Principles, Data Processing and Applications | ||
Demography: Measuring & Modeling | ||
Spatial Demography: Applied Statistics for Spatial Data | ||
Total Credits | 30 |
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Critical course: GIS 5010 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Critical course: GIS 5040 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 |
Critical course: GIS 5070 | Research Methods | 3 |
GIS Elective | 6 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: GIS 5020 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Critical course: GIS 5060 | Geospatial Methods in Environmental Studies | 3 |
Critical course: GIS 5080 | Digital Cartography and Geovisualization | 3 |
GIS Elective | 6 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 30 |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Critical course: GIS 5010 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Critical course: GIS 5070 | Research Methods | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: GIS 5020 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Critical course: GIS 5080 | Digital Cartography and Geovisualization | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
GIS Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Critical course: GIS 5040 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 |
GIS Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: GIS 5060 | Geospatial Methods in Environmental Studies | 3 |
GIS Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
GIS Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Total Credits | 30 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GIS 5090 | Introduction to Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing | 3 |
GIS 5091 | Advanced Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing | 3 |
GIS 5092 | Machine Learning for GIS and Remote Sensing | 3 |
GIS 5100 | Microwave Remote Sensing: SAR Principles, Data Processing and Applications | 3 |
BIOL 5190 | Geographic Information Systems in Biology | 3 |
SOC 5640 | Demography: Measuring & Modeling | 3 |
SOC 5670 | Spatial Demography: Applied Statistics for Spatial Data | 3 |