Our mission is to advance the awareness and use of geo-sciences in the University and community by providing educational opportunities and training at all levels, by pursuing basic and applied research in the geo-sciences, and by demonstrating problem-solving possibilities to potential users throughout the region.  The Spatial Data Lab, located in Lomax Hall, houses the School of Forestry GIS lab, GPS equipment, and Remote Sensing software.  Currently, most of LaTech GIS operations are conducted in the Spatial Data Lab and Geography's GIS & Cartography lab.  The Spatial Data Lab hosts a full range of GIS training options ranging from academic to continuing education courses offered in traditional and distance learning formats.

The Geospatial Technologies Lab offers educational opportunities at several levels depending on if the student wants to enroll in the university or not.

• For the student wishing to pursue a college degree, Louisiana Tech Universiy offers a Bachelors of Science degree in Geographic Information Science.  This program has two concentration options:  Natural Resources and Social Sciences. The Natural Resoruces concentration will prepare graduates for career fields that engage environmental issues and issues that pertain to the natural sciences.  The Social Science concentration will prepare graduates for career fields that engage social, economic, transportation, and political issues.
• A minor in GIS is also offered for those students who wish to tie GIS to their major curriculum.
• Workshops are periodically presented for those wishing to get hands-on training in GIS or GPS without having to register for classes.
• The Geospatial Technologies Lab also offers a GIS Distance Learning Program for working professionals wishing to learn GIS without having to register at the University.  You will not earn college credit for these courses.