Minor in Geospatial Analysis

The Geospatial Analysis minor provides students with an understanding of the uses, applications and theories as they relate to geospatial technologies. Most classes will include both lecture/material discussion and hands-on practice with the associated technologies. The goals and objectives of each course ties to relevant and commonly adopted Geospatial Competency and Professional Knowledge Models accepted throughout the profession (GIS & T Body of Knowledge, US Geospatial Competency Model and the European Union GIS & T Body of Knowledge).

Geospatial Analysis is a growing field both in the United States and abroad. Therefore, this minor is structured to include sequential coursework building the knowledge and skills necessary for the career and workplace.

The Geospatial Analysis minor will be available in the catalog starting August 1st, 2025.

Requirements for Minor in Geospatial Analysis

The cornerstone coursework (12 credits) for the minor begins with an introductory GIS course followed by a course on spatial visualization & cartography, a course in remote sensing, and finally a course in advanced GIS.

The minor electives (6 credits), are a flexible combination of Disciplinary/Specialty GIS courses (e.g. the CGA’s new GIS 350 Spatial Analysis & Social Justice), Applied Research Methods & Teaching (e.g. CGA’s GIS 490 drone/UAV course or CGA research credits), or Complementary Skill courses outside of the geospatial analysis domain. To fulfill Complimentary Skills, students may propose a course not listed for review by the CGA Faculty Minor Committee. For example, technical skills such as programming and machine learning are natural complements to our software-based GIS courses, while statistics might complement large geospatial data processing, and finally other subjects such as color theory/human perception could complement a student whose focus is geovisualization/cartography.

Introduction Required Course

GIS 201 - Introduction to GIS & GIS 201L Introduction to GIS Lab (3 credits)*

Intermediate and Advanced Required Courses

GIS 405 - Geovisualization & Cartography (3 credits)
GIS 410 – Introduction to Remote Sensing (3 credits)
GIS 420 - Advanced GIS (3 credits)

Elective Courses

Elective courses expand concepts, knowledge and understanding and complement the core courses of the minor. At least 6 credits from the following areas must be successfully completed:

Disciplinary/Specialty Courses**

GIS 350 - Spatial Analysis & Social Justice (COLL 350; 3 credits)
GIS 430 - Intro to Geospatial Tech: drones/UAS/UAV (3 credits; currently listed as a special topic GIS 490)
BIO 445 - GIS for Biologists (3 credits)
GOVT 493 - GIS for Public Policy (3 credits)
GEOL 320 - Earth Surface Processes (3 credits)

Applied Research Methods and Teaching (the courses below may be repeated but only two credits will apply for the minor)

GIS 480 – Independent Research in GIS (1-3 credits)
GIS 425 – Mentored Geospatial Teaching (1 credit)
CONS 493 - Conservation GIS Research (1-3 credits)

Complementary Skills Courses, e.g.** (no more than 3 credits may be counted as electives in this section)

DATA 101 – Demystifying Data (3 credits)
DATA 303 – Data Visualization (3 credits)
DATA 442 – Neural Networks & Deep Learning (3 credits)
DATA 341 – Applied Time Series Analysis (3 credits)
DATA 431 – Spatial Data Discovery (3 credits)
DATA 444 – Agent-Based Modeling (4 credits)
ECON 407 – Cross Section Econometrics (3 credits)
BIOL 327 – Introduction to Biostatistics (4 credits)
BIOL 325 – Introduction to Quantitative Biology (3 credits)

*CONS210 may be substituted for GIS201

**Or other class as approved by CGA Academic Advisor

Any questions about the minor can be directed to cga@wm.edu We will do our best to provide answers.