B.S. in Geography - GIScience Track
This track focuses on techniques in spatial analysis, cartography, environmental modeling,
geodatabases, and internet-based GIS. This is the study of spatial data, its management,
and analysis. The Department has curriculum related to a range of geospatial technologies.
This includes drones, image analysis and extraction, geospatial coding, modeling,
field data collection, 3D modeling and the integration of virtual and augmented reality
into GIS analysis. Courses in this area supplement our programs in environmental studies,
sustainability, and planning. Our geospatial students integrate GIS into their course/degree
project work, internships, and presentations and research.
Graduates from our GIScience program work across the geospatial technologies industries.
Alumni of our program do GIS work for environmental, engineering, and geospatial consulting
firms. This includes companies such as Trimble, Michael Baker International, Primera
Engineers, SoftDig, Traisr, and many others. More than two dozen of our alumni have
worked at ESRI, the world’s leading GIS company. Our graduates work at all levels
of local, county, state, and federal government positions. In the nonprofit sector,
our graduates work in GIS positions to support land preservation and management, as
well as conservation and research.
Our work in 3D modeling and virtual reality GIS has been cutting edge, winning the
Department a Special Achievement in GIS Award in 2019 as well as a spotlight from the President of WCU as part of his First Friday Video Series.
Program Requirements
Be sure to check with your advisor before registering for classes. For more information about the program requirements, see your Degree Progress Report.
For more information regarding our undergraduate program, please contact the department chairperson Dr. Gary Coutu at GCoutu@wcupa.edu.