Minor in Geographic Information Systems

A minor in geographic information systems (GIS) is designed to help students pursue careers in the rapidly expanding opportunities in the geospatial and mapping sciences. Any Mason undergraduate student is eligible to earn a minor in GIS by completing 18-19 credits of geography courses beyond the prerequisites, with at least 8 credits of coursework unique to the minor.

Degree Requirements

To receive this minor, students must complete 18-19 credits in geography beyond the prerequisites of GGS 102 - Physical Geography or GGS 103 - Human Geography, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, consisting of:

(1) Four Required Courses (12 credits)
GGS 110 - Maps and Mapping
GGS 300 - Quantitative Methods for Geographical Analysis
GGS 311 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GGS 463 - Applied Geographic Information Systems*

(2) Two elective courses (6-7 credits) chosen from:
GGS 310 - Introduction to Digital Cartography
GGS 411 - Advanced Digital Cartography*
GGS 412 - Air Photography Interpretation*
GGS 416 - Satellite Image Analysis*

With departmental permission, one course with significant geographic information systems (GIS) content may be substituted for one of the above.

*Not offered every semester; please see program advisor for details