Geographic Information Systems, Minor

The study of geography begins with exploration of the physical environment and includes cultural, political, and social landscapes. People who can think spatially about where things are in relation to other things are highly sought after in both the public and private sectors. A minor in Geographic Information Science can add depth to your education and give you marketable career skills. This minor will introduce you to GIS data analysis and cartography, remote sensing, area studies, and other tools to help you understand the web of connections between earth and humankind.

There are good reasons that GIS technology has been called “geography on steroids.” Students in this minor follow a well-structured framework that includes mapping, spatial analysis, programming, modeling, etc., and highlights ways that GIS systems can be used in business, government, and research.

University Requirements Accordion Open

University Requirements

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 to 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

Overview Accordion Closed

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than 50% of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion19
Major GPA2.0

 Purpose Statement

The minor in Geographic Information Systems supports the study of the physical environment, including cultural, political, and social landscapes through  ...GIS data analysis and cartography, remote sensing, area studies, and other tools to help the student understand the web of connections between earth and humankind.  Students will learn how to apply geospatial technologies using the latest version of ArcGIS and other web based mapping programs.  Specifically, students will learn how to build, manage and maintain geodatabases and applied geospatial datasets. Students will learn how to perform basic and advanced analysis using vector and raster based data in applied environments using public open data portals.  The knowledge and skills acquired with this minor can be applied broadly to almost any field that can be viewed through a geospatial lens, which includes but is not limited to Environmental Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering and Business.  All of these areas of education can benefit greatly through the application of GIS.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  1. Collect and use geographic data related to physical and human landscape.
  2. Provide technical analysis based tools such as GIS or remote sensing. 
  3. Create effective visual representations of data and analyses
  4. Understand geographic relationships in regard to physical and human landscapes

 

Details Accordion Closed

Details

Minor Requirements

  • Take the following 20 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:

    Select three courses from (12 units):Contact the Geography, Planning & Recreation department to be assigned a minor advisor.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
     

Campus Availability Accordion Closed

Campus Availability

Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation
Location
Room 201 Building 70
Social and Behavioral Sciences West
19 W McConnell Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Mailing Address
PO Box 15016
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Contact Form
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