The degree program in Geographic Information Science (GISc) is primarily concerned with educating students for a variety of career fields that require a command of geographic information systems (GIS) software. GIS allows users to effectively and efficiently store, manage, display and analyze vast data sets. GIS can be used in virtually all instances where data can be linked to a place and is used by numerous public and private interests to manage and analyze data.

The program instructs students in the proper use of popular GIS software applications, such as ArcGIS, ArcView, and MapInfo, along with ERDAS image processing software and GPS PathFinder. The program will also include instruction regarding theoretical approaches to GIS, so that graduates will be able to function in workplace environments characterized by ever-changing software and hardware.

Students majoring in GISc are able to choose from two separate preparation tracks: Social Science or Natural Resources. The Social Science concentration prepares graduates for career fields that engage more specifically social, economic, transportation and/or political issues. The natural Resources concentration prepares graduates for career fields that more specifically engage environmental issues and issues that pertain to the natural sciences.