UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY CONCENTRATION:
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
The field of Geographic Information Science (GIScience) addresses how geographic information
is represented, analyzed, and communicated in a computational, cognitive, and graphic (visual) context.
GIScience education and research focus on developing and applying techniques in cartography, spatial
databases, environmental remote sensing, and spatial analysis. Students concentrating in GIScience
receive jobs in fields such as environmental consulting and analysis, transportation planning, and business
marketing, as well as in local, state, and federal government agencies that specialize in planning and
natural resource management.
The Department's GIScience courses emphasize modeling physical and human systems; spatial
data structures and algorithms; information design and visualization, Web and Internet GIS and mapping,
and multimedia and interactive cartography. The courses have been designed to be taken in the following
sequence.
GEOG 3053:
Cartography 1:
Visualization and
Information Design
Introductory Courses
Minimum: 3053 or 2053;
and 3023
or
GEOG 2053:
Mapping a
Changing World
GEOG 3023:
Statistics for
Earth Sciences
(or equivalent)
(or
Intermediate Courses
Minimum: Both 4103 and
4023/4033
Advanced Courses
Minimum: Any 1 course.
Take more as possible
GEOG 4043:
Cartography 2:
Interactive and
Multimedia Mapping
(3053 or 2053 required)
GEOG 4103:
Introduction to GIS
GEOG 4023/4033: Intro to
Quantitative Methods
(3053 or 2053 required)
(3023 or equivalent required)
GEOG 4303: GIS
Programming
(4103 required)
GEOG 4203: GIS
Modeling
Applications
(4103 required and 4023/
4033 recommended)
GEOG 4093: Remote
Sensing of the
Environment
(4023/4033 recommended)
As a Geography major you are required to complete 32 credit hours of Geography courses and
you may count up to 13 additional credits of geography courses toward your degree. You need to pick
your courses in geography to meet the department's requirements for physical and human geography. In
addition--for the GIScience track--we recommend that you complete GEOG 3053 or 2053, GEOG
4023/4033, and GEOG 4103 (13 credits total) and at least one advanced course (4 credits).
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GEOG 2053 (4 credits). Mapping a Changing World (formerly Maps and Mapping). Overviews the vital role
cartography plays in modern society and contemporary science. Includes fundamentals of reading and creating maps
for research and enjoyment. Lab provides hands-on experience with computer-based methods for creating useful
maps.
GEOG 3023 (4 credits). Statistics for Earth Sciences. Introduces parametric and distribution-free statistics,
emphasizes applications to earth science problems. Not open to students who have taken a college-level statistics
course. Restricted to junior and senior geography, geology, and environmental studies majors. Same as GEOL 3023.
GEOG 3053 (4 credits). Cartography 1: Visualization and Information Design. Introduces the fundamentals of
cartography--the science and art of map design. Emphasizes thematic maps, symbolization, map design and
production. Students produce a series of thematic maps using GIS and other software. Restricted to junior and senior
geography and environmental studies majors. A basic familiarity with computers is strongly recommended.
GEOG 4023 (3 credits). Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Human Geography. Introduces fundamental
statistical and quantitative modeling techniques widely used in geography today. Emphasizes geographic examples
and spatial problems, using statistical routines now available on most computers. Prereq., GEOG 3023 or equivalent.
GEOG 4033 (2 credits). Quantitative Methods in Geography Laboratory. Introduces the use of personal
computers and statistical software in geographical analysis. Coreq., GEOG 4023. Same as GEOG 5033.
GEOG 4043 (4 credits). Cartography 2: Interactive and Multimedia Mapping. An advanced course in
interactive, multimedia, animated, and Web-based cartography stressing the important role digital cartography plays
in cyberspace. The course focuses on principles of effective cartographic design in multimedia and hypertext
environments. Labs are organized around hands-on, active-learning projects. Prereq., GEOG 3053. Same as GEOG
5043.
GEOG 4093 (4 credits). Remote Sensing of the Environment. Acquisition and interpretation of environmental
data by remote sensing. Topics include theory and sensors as well as manual and computerized interpretation
methods. Stresses infrared and microwave portions of the spectrum. Same as GEOG 5093 and GEOL 4093/5093.
GEOG 4103 (4 credits). Introduction to Geographic Information Science. Construction and use of an information
system specifically designed for representing and manipulating geographical data. Covers principles of data
management, computer hardware/software, and procedures for recording, transforming, storing/retrieving,
analyzing, and mapping geographic data. Restricted to junior and senior geography and environmental studies
majors. Prereq., GEOG 3053. Same as GEOG 5103.
GEOG 4203 (4 credits). Geographic Information Science: Modeling Applications (formerly GIS 2).. Extends
basic GIS concepts and mechanics. Develops GIS models for human and environmental applications, grid and
vector data models, tesselated and hierarchical data structures, terrain representation, linear and areal interpolation
and kriging. Students work in small group to design, implement, and run GIS models. Prereq., GEOG 4103/5103, or
instructor consent.
GEOG 4303 (4 credits). Geographic Information Science: Programming (new in 2004). Focuses on interacting
with geographic information systems (GIS) through programming languages. Topics covered include customization
of the GIS graphic user interface (GUI), spatial data structures and algorithms, and principles of GIS database
design. Prereq., GEOG 4103/5103, or instructor consent.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Department of Geography, Guggenheim Hall Room 110, UCB 260, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
Internet: www.colorado.edu/geography and www.colorado.edu/UCGIS
Geography Advisor: Dylan Clark, Gugg 104, 492-8794, dylan.clark@colorado.edu
Geography Undergraduate Assistant: Connie Luoto, Gugg 110, 492-2631, luoto@spot.colorado.edu
2002.4.29. JM/KEF/BPB