Geographic Information Science

Geographic Information Science is a sub-field of Geography concerned with the acquisition, storage, analysis and communication of geographic information. In addition it conducts primary research on the manner in which we acquire knowledge from spatially referenced data. Geographic information analysts have applied skills in the fields of Geodesy, Cartography, Remote Sensing, Spatial Analysis and Decision Science, and strong working knowledge of the Global Positioning System, Geographic Information Systems and Digital Image Processing software, Dynamic Modeling and Geostatistics. They are skilled in the problems of spatial georeferencing, error modeling and the propagation of uncertainty, the modeling of spatial processes, and procedures for multi-criteria and multi-objective decision making. In addition, they have the graphic communication and cartographic skills required for the production of effective map displays and geographic information presentations.

What's the difference between Geographic Information Science and Geographic Information Systems?

Geographic Information Science (GISci) has grown out of the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a technology.

A Geographic Information System consists of a database of spatial information (such as digital map data and satellite imagery) along with specialized software for the management, display and analysis of those data. GIS technology has grown enormously over the past 30 years, to the point where it is ubiquitous in the mapping, analysis and management of spatially distributed resources. GIS software is in daily use in areas as diverse as urban systems management, regional planning, emergency response, epidemiology, landscape architecture, environmental planning, forestry, geology, ecology, park management, power utilities, and the like.

As GIS has developed, so too has the scientific expertise to support its development and continued activity. Geographic Information Science has both an applied and a theoretical side. Organizations such as the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) and the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS) coordinate the theoretical development of the discipline. However, the term is also used to describe the program of studies required to become a GIS analyst (as it is here). Note that in some countries, the term Geomatics is virtually synonymous with Geographic Information Science.