M.P.S. in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Department of Geography and Environmental Systems

EUGENE P. (SANDY) PARKER, Chair
ASHLEY WATERS, Graduate Program Director

Adjunct Professors
ABDULLAH, QASSIM A., Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle; Analytical Photogrammetry, Digital Remote Sensing, and Civil and Surveying Engineering
ALAMEH, NADINE, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; Geospatial Interoperability, Web-Services Architecture, and Geospatial Standards
EVANS, OWEN, M.S., Cornell University, Ithaca; Spatial Database, System Design, and GI Systems Architecture
LIEBERMAN, JOSHUA, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin; Geospatial Interoperability, Specification Development
CSANYI MAY, NORA, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Columbus; Surface Extraction and Modeling, Sensor Fusion, Calibration of Multi-Sensor System, Digital Imagery
PALADINO, LOUIS, M.A., Clark University, Worcester; Surveying, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Analysis
POMFRET, KEVIN, J.D., Washington & Lee School of Law, Lexington; Spatial Law
SCHLEE, JOHN, MPA, George Mason University, Faifax; GIS Database, GIS applications, Enterprise Solutions
YANG, XIUZHU, Ph.D., East China Normal University, Shanghai; GIS Programming, Remote Sensing
YOUNG, PAUL, M.A., University of Maryland, College Park; Map Digitizing, Image Analysis

Degrees Offered

M.P.S.: Geographic Information Systems (non-thesis degree)

Professional Graduate Certificate: Geographic Information Systems

The Master in Professional Studies and the Professional Graduate Certificate: Geographic Information Systems is offered at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD.

Geographic Information Systems, M.P.S

The curriculum addresses five specific areas:

• Advanced Analytical Methods and Tools
• Enterprise Systems Management
• GIS Application Development
• GIS Databases
• Refection on Professional Practice

For additional information, please consult the M.P.S. Web page at www.umbc.edu/shadygrove/gis/gis.html

Objectives

The Master in Professional Studies (M.P.S.): Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a 30-credit graduate program that will provide an advanced-level of education to professionals working or interested in the region's geospatial technology industry.

Upon completing the M.P.S. in GIS, students will possess an advanced knowledge of the information systems, computer science, and analytical aspects of the field of GIS. Students will utilize the knowledge, tools and techniques of database management, application development, and analytical assessment to appropriately address geographic information requirements and answer spatial questions.

"Geospatial professionals must combine deep technical expertise with a broad understanding of project, program, and organizational interdependencies." (Marble, 2005)

The program addresses these areas through a combination of technical coursework, project management, and reflection on the past, present and future of geospatial technology industry. Drawing on the diverse and outstanding expertise of regional professionals and academics, this program raises the bar for educating geospatial professionals. Our aim is to develop the next generation of GIS professionals.

Degree Requirements/Program admission

• B.A. or B.S. in Geography, Computer Science or Information Systems -OR-
• A bachelor’s degree in a related field with GIS-related work experience

Program Requirements

Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited undergraduate program. Applicants should also possess a working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission to the GIS program.

Applicants should follow the application procedures set by UMBC's Graduate School.

Application Deadlines

Spring: November 1 (Domestic Students); May 1 (International Students)

Fall: June 1 (Domestic Students); January 1 (International Students)

Course Listing

CORE COURSES (18 CREDIT HOURS)

GES 601: Introduction to Geography and Environmental Systems [3]
This course is a graduate-level introduction to the principles underlying human and environmental systems, and to applying a geographic approach to studying these systems. Guiding theories of human geography, physical geography and environmental science will be introduced through detailed examination of cross- cutting multidisciplinary issues including natural hazards and human vulnerability, the management of water resources and fossil fuels, and global environmental changes such as the recent atmospheric-oceanic warming trend and land-use/land-cover change. Within these topics, specific theories guiding geographic and environmental research will be covered in depth, including spatial analysis, critical geographic theory, postmodern social theories and political ecology. Important theories governing the functioning of environmental systems will be presented. This includes the cycling of mass and energy between Earth's various spheres and the theory of Earth as a dynamic system seeking equilibrium in the face of multiple perturbations both natural and anthropogenic.

GES 604
A field-intensive course emphasizing forested landscape ecosystems and plant species of the Mid-Atlantic. Our challenge is to understand ecosystems, their physical and biotic characteristics, their relationship to one another in the field, successional trends, and selected aspects of their functioning. This course will stress forest species, and especially (1) field identification and characteristic habitats, (2) establishment ecology, (3) competitive and mutualistic relationships, (4) occurrence and diversity related to habitat conditions, (5) establishment and occurrence in relatively undisturbed (by humans) and disturbed environments, and (6) genetic and non genetic variation of populations, as well as adaptation to specific environments. Permission of Instructor Required.

GES 636
This course explores international dimensions of environmental issues. We examine the global dimensions of emerging economic, cultural, and political processes and their effects on issues of conservation, pollution, and natural resource management. We will explore the ways in which environmental degradation is closely linked with issues of economic development and the implications of these linkages for addressing environmental issues. We will also examine transnational actors such as finance capital, international NGOs, global corporations, and international governance bodies such as the United Nations, and their various roles in producing, and responding to, environmental problems. Specific environmental issues that will be covered include climate change, food security, water provisioning, environmental security, population growth, waste management, and urban growth.

GES 670: Advanced Seminar in GIS
This course provides a geographic foundation vital to effective spatial systems development and an introduction to common geospatial tools including ESRI’s ArcGIS and Google Earth. A range of topics are introduced and discussed through student projects, presentations, and guest lecturers.

GES 671: Spatial Database and System Design
Students are introduced to the process of spatial database development from data modeling to database implementation in an enterprise environment. Students also learn about database diagramming techniques (e.g., UML), spatial data formats and storage options, database query languages (e.g., SQL), and installation of spatial database software.

GES 673: Geoprocessing and Spatial Analysis
This course covers the manipulation and analysis of geospatial data, and focuses on automated approaches to geographic feature overlay, feature selection and analysis, topology processing, raster processing, and data conversion. This course also addresses the role of geoprocessing and spatial analysis in the definition, management, and analysis of information used to form decisions.

GES 675: GIS Application Development I
This course provides a working knowledge of desktop GIS application development to help students understand the logic and structures of programming languages, most notably Visual Basic .NET. A feature of this course is students’ ability to conduct applications needs assessments, diagram application logic, develop basic applications, and deploy desktop applications within an enterprise GIS.

GES 678: Project Management of the Enterprise GIS
This capstone course involves advanced study and application of structured analysis and design methods throughout the GIS life cycle. The course stresses common approaches forgathering requirements, modeling, analyzing and designing geographic information systems. The course employs the case method of instruction.

GES 679: Professional Seminar on the Geospatial Technologies
These professional seminars expose students to the diversity of issues, applications, and developments in the industry. Seminars focus on a specific topic or issue of import to the geospatial industry or professional practice. Each student enrolls in three Professional Seminars over the course of their program.

ELECTIVE COURSES (12 CREDIT HOURS)