Prerequisite
Proficiency in general computer skills and GIS - either demonstrated in a one-week workshop in mid-August or through the Vector GIS course in the first semester.

Master's Degree Requirements
The Master’s degree in Geographic Information Sciences for Development and Environment requires 12 graduate course units. These consist of six required core courses and six electives. At least one elective must be a skills course and at least one elective must be a policy course. This design allows full-time students to complete the program in either three or four semesters.

Required Core Courses

IDCE 388 Vector GIS - explores concepts and applications of vector GIS in local government, environmental justice, urban design, public health, and environmental conservation & planning by analyzing census and spatial data with ArcGIS software. (Experienced students may waive this course based on performance in the one-week workshop in mid-August)

IDCE 310 Raster GIS - explores concepts and applications of raster GIS  analysis in environmental science and natural resource management using Idrisi software.

IDCE 371 Digital Image Processing - introduces basic concepts and analytical methods of satellite remote sensing as applied to environmental systems.

IDCE 396 Advanced Topics in GIS - considers newest theories and applications in GIS including change & time series analysis, geostatistics, 3D data visualization, uncertainty, spatial statistics and multi-criteria evaluation.

IDCE 391 GISDE Seminar - requires students to complete research proposals or internship applications in the spring semester.

IDCE 393 or IDCE 394 GISDE Final Project - involves collaboration with internship or research advisor to complete final project.

Skill Electives (such as)

IDCE 376 Spatial Database Development

IDCE 30220 Advanced Remote Sensing

IDCE 30212 Introduction to Quantitative Methods

IDCE 324 Intermediate Quantitative Methods

IDCE 349 Advanced Topics in Spatial Analysis

IDCE 314 Research Design and Methods

Policy Electives (such as)

IDCE 367 Quantitative Modeling

IDCE 363 Decision Methods for Environmental Management

IDCE 382 Management of Environmental Pollutants

IDCE 343 Seminar in Human Dimensions of Global Change

IDCE 30226 Biogeochemical Cycles and Global Change

IDCE 30241 Environmental Toxicology

IDCE 30202 Land Use Seminar

IDCE 30214 Landscape Ecology

IDCE 30205 Climate Change, Energy and Development

IDCE 30218 Community-Development Decision Making and Negotiation

IDCE 30217 Economic Fundamentals for International Development

IDCE 30231 Humanitarian Assistances in Complex Emergencies

IDCE 30277 Sustainable Consumption and Production

Two Options for the Final Project

Each student must complete a final project for which the student earns credit in either IDCE 393 or IDCE 394. There are two options for this final project: the internship option and the research option. Both options require an oral presentation and a written paper, where the format is dictated by a template that the GISDE program supplies.

For the internship option, the student applies to GIS-focused internships as part of IDCE 391 during the spring semester. During that semester, the student must complete an Internship Proposal form and obtain approval from a faculty advisor. The student will perform the internship during the summer and/or fall semesters. The student produces a paper that gives an overview of current GIS applications in the relevant field, describes how GIS was used in the internship, and how GIS could be used more effectively. The paper and presentation is completed in IDCE 393 in the fall semester under the guidance of the internship advisor. This final project results in a public oral presentation in December. This option is recommended for students who view this Masters degree as a terminal degree and plan to spend a career in applied GIS.

For the research option, the student develops a research proposal as part of IDCE 391 during the spring semester. This proposal must be signed for approval by the selected research advisor. The research is then performed under the guidance of the research advisor in the context of IDCE 394 in the student’s final semester. This final research project results in a paper that has a length and format appropriate for a professional peer-reviewed journal article. This final project results in a public oral presentation after the paper has been completed. This option is appropriate for students who want to engage in the creation of new methods in GIS or innovative applications of existing GIS methods. This option is recommended for students who want eventually to pursue a PhD.

Please check with your academic advisor, as MA paper requirements may change from year to year.