Students collect data using GIS for a parking study in downtown Bloomsburg

GIS and Spatial Analysis (Minor)

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Spatial analysis and geographic information systems is a mouthful of words, and most people simply refer to the entire field more loosely as GIS or sometimes GIScience. The modern world runs on data, and much of that data is best organized and analyzed by placing it on a two- or even three-dimensional map. This is what we mean by GIS.

Degrees & Offerings
  • Minor
Department
College
Program Contact
Chair of the Department of Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences, Professor of Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences
Professor of Environmental Geographical and Geological Sciences
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Our minor in GIS will complement and strengthen a variety of other majors, including any EGGS major, anthropology/archaeology, and computer science, among others. It is a widely sought-after skillset that will immediately enhance your resume.

It’s a technical field

One can roughly break the field into thirds: cartography – the art and science of making useful maps, remote sensing — the science of gathering data from aircraft and satellite imagery, and Geographic Information Systems — the science of storing, analyzing, and displaying this data. All of our majors must take a course in the basics of Maps (Map Use and Analysis) and most take a first course in GIS. However, for those looking for more, our minor includes courses in Cartography, Remote Sensing, and Advanced GIS, and these are supplemented with other courses such as Introduction to Python Programming.

You will get a lot of hands-on experience with the same tools used in the profession. We have three state-of-the art computer laboratories for teaching and student work, and site licenses of ENVI (commercial software for remote sensing) and ESRI ArcGIS – the leading commercial software in GIS (used by 90% of GIS practitioners).

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Courses and Curriculum

GIS and Spatial Analysis Minor Checklist
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Bloomsburg Because

Licensure and Certification

There are many certifications that can set you apart from the herd. Perhaps the first to consider is the ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Entry level exam. After completing the minor program, you will have a solid foundation in the concepts and skills you will need to prepare for this first step.

The Husky Difference

$68K
Median Pay
Average annual salary for cartographers and GIS specialists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Cartographer and Photogrammetrist Career

GIS students develop orienteering course for upper campus

GIS students develop orienteering course

ROTC cadet Nicholas Correll had an idea one day while sitting in his geographic information system (GIS) class. Instead of driving 30 minutes for ROTC land navigation trainings, why not just create an orienteering course on upper campus?

Land Navigation Project
Geography students’ data mining helps with Florida forest conservation

Data mining helps with Florida forest conservation

A remote sensing geography class from Bloomsburg University played a key role in the conservation of a 14-acre southern Florida forest home to protected wildlife that’s been fending off urban and commercial development for the past 60 years.

Remote Sensing Project

GIS and Spatial Analysis Contacts

All Faculty & Staff
Michael Shepard

Michael Shepard, Ph.D.

  • Chair of the Department of Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences, Professor of Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences

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