Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Minor

Geographic Information Systems are a critical component of fast-growing career opportunities in areas like natural resources, planning, environmental regulation, marketing, public safety, public health, environmental analysis, recreation management, national defense, business and real estate, and many others. The Geographic Information Science (GIS) minor provides an education program for students interested in careers and research that involve geographic information systems (GIS) and related spatial technologies (e.g., remote sensing, global positioning systems (GPS), cartography, and spatial data analysis).

Major Requirements:

Core (7 or 8 credits)

GEO 103S - Peoples and Environments Credits: 4
or
GEO 105S - Earth, Wind and Fire: The Geography of Natural Hazards Credits: 4
EPP 204 - Introduction to GIS Credits: 4
or
GEO 204 - Introduction to GIS Credits: 4

Geospatial Competencies (4 to 12 credits)

EPP 244S - Mobile Mapping and GIS Credits: 4
GEO 244S - Mobile Mapping and GIS Credits: 4
FOR 242F Map and LiDAR Interpretation Credits: 3

GIS 420M Remote Sensing & Image Analysis Credits: 4

GIS 400M Geographic Information Systems II Credits: 4

GEO 305S Remote Sensing Credits: 3

GIS 428M Web-based Maps and Apps Credits: 3

Suggested Specializations (3-12 credits)

Community Planning

EPP 343 - Community Planning Credits: 4
or
GEO 343 - Community Planning Credits: 4
GIS 312M Municipal Application of GIS Credits: 3

POS 487A Data Literacy and Research Methods for Public Mgt Credits: 3

Environmental Applications

EPP 304 - Environmental GIS Credits: 4
or
GEO 304 - Environmental GIS Credits: 4
EPP 340 - Sustainable Land Use Credits: 4
or
GEO 340 - Sustainable Land Use Credits: 4
GEO 340S Digital Mapping Credits: 4

GEO 445S Drone Mapping Credits: 4

Geospatial Data Science

CIS 218A Introduction to SQL Credits: 3

CIS 255A Database Design Credits: 3

CIS 352A Data Visualization Credits: 3

CIS 355A Introduction to Sensors Credits: 3

CIS 449A R Programming and Data Analysis Credits: 3

CIS 450A Data Mining Credits: 3
COS 455 - Database Systems Credits: 4
TEC 102 - Introduction to SQL Credits: 2
TEC 103 - Introduction to Python Credits: 2
TEC 105 - Data Visualization with Tableau Credits: 1
A Course offered through University of Maine at Augusta

F Course offered through University of Maine at Fort Kent

M Course offered through University of Maine at Machias

S Course offered through University of Southern Maine

All other courses offered through University of Maine at Farmington

Total credits for the Minor: 20

A minimum of one third of the required credits must be earned at UMF for a minor to be awarded.

Learning Goals

Students will:

Acquire an understanding of fundamental geospatial concepts and practices of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Be prepared to design, execute, document and present geospatial projects that are fit-for-purpose and responsive to requirements
Communicate effectively in written, oral, and visual forms

Assessment Criteria

Students will:

Apply GIS analysis to address authentic geospatial problems and/or research questions
Demonstrate data management skills to insure data quality, integrity and interoperability
Effectively communicate and present project requirements, protocols, and results in oral, written, and graphic forms
Demonstrate problem-solving competencies in accomplishing unfamiliar GIS tasks with confidence while drawing on resources such as software documentation, metadata, and the geospatial community