Geospatial Technologies Minor
With the advent of high resolution satellite imagery, desktop software for GIS and remote sensing, and inexpensive GPS receivers, geospatial technologies are currently on the forefront of a revolution which incorporates huge volumes of data from a multitude of sources tied to a location on the Earth and analyzes that data using new and innovative methods which incorporate relationships in time and space. The application of these technologies is no longer limited to the military and federal government; the applications are unlimited and the market for this technology is booming. Geospatial technologies provide new and evolving expertise for addressing the major environmental issues of our time by transforming data into geographically-referenced information.
A minor in Geospatial Technologies provides knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and spatial analyses. The tools offered by these technologies are essential in the acquisition, integration, and analysis of geographically-referenced data and applicable to a wide array of environmental issues at local to global scales. Complementing their major field of study, an enhanced understanding of geospatial technology will provide students with the expertise necessary to meet the demands of their diverse careers in the global workplace.
Required Coursework
The courses for the minor include three required courses and at least two elective courses for a minimum of 15 required credits. At least 9 credit hours must be at the 100-level or above. At least half of the courses (8 credits) used to satisfy the minor must be taken at UVM. The courses for the minor include:
	Required Courses (3):
	1) Introduction to Geospatial Technologies (select one course)
		CE 10/12 – Geomatics/Lab (5 credits)l
		NR 25 – Measurement and Mapping of Natural Resources (4 credits)
		GEOG 81 – Geotechniques (3 credits)
		ENSC 130 – Global Environmental Assessment (3 credits)
		GEOL 151 – Geomorphology (3 credits) – cross listed as GEOG 144
	2) Geographic Information Systems (select one course)
		NR 143 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
		GEOG 184 – Geographic Information: Concepts and Applications (3 credits)
	3) Remote Sensing (select one course)
		NR 146 – Remote Sensing of Environment (3 credits)
		GEOG 185 – Remote Sensing (3 credits)
	Elective Courses (2):
	Select either two courses from Group A or one course each from Group A and Group B.
		Group A
			GEOG 204 – Spatial Analysis (3 credits)
			NR 243 – GIS Practicum (3 credits)
			NR 245 – Advanced Spatial Methods (2 credits)
			GEOG 281a – Satellite Climatology/Land Surface Applications (3 credits)
			GEOG 281b – Advanced GIS Applications (3 credits)
		Group B
			CS 14 – Visual Basic Programming (3 credits)
			CS 16 – MATLAB Programming (3 credits)
			CDAE 101 – Computer Aided Drafting and Design (3 credits)
Note: Geography majors who undertake the Geospatial Technologies minor are required to complete 30 hours of Geography and 15 hours towards the Geospatial Technologies minor. Geography 081 (Geotechniques) may be used to count towards both the major and the minor. However, students are still required to complete 30 credit hours of Geography courses.
New GST Courses
Participating Faculty:
RSENR – Leslie A. Morrissey, Austin Troy, Jennifer Ponitius, David Capen, Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne, Ernie Buford, and Walter Poleman
GEOGRAPHY – Glen Elder, Beverley Wemple, Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, Shelly Rayback, and Meghan Cope
GEOLOGY – Paul Bierman
CIVIL ENGINEERING - Donna Rizzo
COMPUTER SCIENCE - Alison Pechenick, Robert Erickson
For more information contact Leslie Morrissey@uvm.edu
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