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) Fall
		GEOG 81 – Geotechniques (3 credits)
		ENSC 130 – Global Environmental Assessment (3 credits) Spring
		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) Fall and Spring
		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)
	** Courses suggested for Juniors
	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) Alternating Spring
			NR 245 – Advanced Spatial Methods (2 credits) Alternating Spring
			NR 243 – GIS Practicum (3 credits) Fall
			GEOG 281a – Satellite Climatology/Land Surface Applications (3 credits)
			GEOG 281b – Advanced GIS Applications (3 credits)
			NR 285 – Independent Study for Advanced GIS Course Fall and Spring
			NR 285 - GIS Analysis of NYC Ecology (special topic for Fall 2008) *
		Group B
			CS 14 – Visual Basic Programming (3 credits)
			CDAE 101 – Computer Aided Drafting and Design (3 credits)
			CS 42– Dynamic Data on the Web (3 credits)
			CS 148– Database Design for the Web (3 credits)
			CS 195A or GEOG 196D CS for Geospatial Technologies (Spring) *
			ENGR 2 – Graphical Communication may be taken instead of CDAE 101 *
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.
* NOTE: New Geospatial Technology Courses
GST faculty members are continuing their efforts to make new courses available to students enrolled in the GST minor. Although not formally listed in the UVM course catalog, a number of courses have been approved for the GST minor. Since these courses are not listed in the UVM course catalog for the GST minor, you will need to work with your academic unit during your senior records check for graduation to ensure that the required CATS modifications have been completed. Check with the appropriate participating faculty for your academic unit.
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
LIBRARY - Bill Gill
For more information contact Leslie Morrissey@uvm.edu
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