Master of Science in Geography - Geographic Information Science

This program explores how digital geographic information is created, analyzed, and used to solve economic, ecological, physical, and social problems at a variety of spatial scales. Students can specialize in:
(1) GIS methods and theory in areas such as: geographic information systems, dynamic modeling, remote sensing, inter-regional modeling and spatial analysis, or
(2) GIS applications in health, urban, physical, or environmental geography. The Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science (GGIS) at the University of Illinois offers a graduate program leading to both the Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Geography with a specialization in Geographic Information Science (GIScience). The program emphasizes how digital geographic information is created, analyzed and used in examining economic, ecological, physical and social phenomena at a variety of spatial scales. Students can specialize in: (1) GIScience methods and theory in areas such as: geographic information systems, dynamic modeling, remote sensing, inter-regional modeling and spatial analysis, or (2) the application of GIScience methods in health, urban, physical, or environmental geography. Revolutionary changes are taking place in how we process, analyze and model geographic information. The Geographic Information Science program examines the nature of digital geographic information, the tools and methods for analyzing and modeling such information, and the value of geographic information for understanding economic, environmental and social transformations at the local, regional, national and global scales. We emphasize methodological training in GIScience as the foundation for using geographic information to understand these changes and for developing innovative new tools to analyze and explore geographic information in the decades to come. Students also gain a critical awareness of the roles of geographic information and GIScience in society and the strengths and limitations of GIScience tools and technologies.

Students applying for admission to the master's program are expected to have a strong undergraduate background in geography and/or related disciplines. In addition to other Graduate College admission requirements, a grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) in the undergraduate major is required. Ph.D. candidates are generally expected to have at least a 3.5 average in previous graduate work. IELTS (academic exam) - 7.5, TOEFL iBT -103