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Chapter 15 What’s Next for Geospatial Technology?
sort of concentration in geospatial technology, or at least the option to take
several courses as part of the major. A minor in GIS or geospatial technologies is also a common option in geography departments. Graduate programs
(both master’s and doctorate degrees) in geography often have an option to
focus on aspects of geospatial technology as well.
However, with the growth of the geospatial field, it’s now possible to get
a higher-education degree in geospatial technology (or GIS, or geographic
information science, depending on the name of the program). Bachelor’s,
master’s, and even doctorate programs have become available at several universities. Some of these are interdisciplinary programs, sometimes involving
elements of various social sciences or computer science and information systems topics such as programming, databases, or Web design, coupled with
classes drawn from other related fields. For instance, Youngstown State
University offers a bachelor’s degree in “Spatial Information Systems” that
combines elements from the geospatial side of the geography discipline with
computer-related coursework in programming and databases, classes in CAD
and professional writing, and an option for the student and advisors to design
a set of courses for application (such as environmental science, biology, or
archeology).
Certificate programs are also a widespread option for geospatial education. These programs vary from school to school, but typically involve taking
a structured set of geospatial classes (perhaps four to seven classes total).
These programs tend to be focused squarely on completing the requirements for a set of courses, and are often available at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels. For example, the Geospatial Certificate at Youngstown
State University involves students taking four required courses—an introductory mapping or geospatial class, an introductory GIS class, an introductory remote sensing course, and either an advanced GIS or advanced
remote sensing class. Students take an additional two courses from a pool
of options, including field methods, GPS and GIS, a geospatial-related internship, object-oriented programming, and database design. Certificates
and degree programs are becoming increasingly available at the community or technical college level as well (see Hands-on Application 15.4: Degree Programs and Certification for Geospatial Technology for some further
investigation).
With geospatial technology entering so many different fields, students
from outside the geography field may seek out a couple of courses or certification to gain a more formal background in geospatial technology to apply to
whatever field they’re in (such as business, real estate, archeology, geology,
or human ecology). Online courses are being offered by a variety of schools
to allow students to complete a geospatial certificate or a degree remotely.
Companies like Esri and organizations like ASPRS offer their own certification programs, and “virtual universities” offer students at one institution the
option to take a geospatial course from a professor at another school. Even
more specialized courses are being developed—for example, today you can
Chapter 15 What’s Next for Geospatial Technology?
sort of concentration in geospatial technology, or at least the option to take
several courses as part of the major. A minor in GIS or geospatial technologies is also a common option in geography departments. Graduate programs
(both master’s and doctorate degrees) in geography often have an option to
focus on aspects of geospatial technology as well.
However, with the growth of the geospatial field, it’s now possible to get
a higher-education degree in geospatial technology (or GIS, or geographic
information science, depending on the name of the program). Bachelor’s,
master’s, and even doctorate programs have become available at several universities. Some of these are interdisciplinary programs, sometimes involving
elements of various social sciences or computer science and information systems topics such as programming, databases, or Web design, coupled with
classes drawn from other related fields. For instance, Youngstown State
University offers a bachelor’s degree in “Spatial Information Systems” that
combines elements from the geospatial side of the geography discipline with
computer-related coursework in programming and databases, classes in CAD
and professional writing, and an option for the student and advisors to design
a set of courses for application (such as environmental science, biology, or
archeology).
Certificate programs are also a widespread option for geospatial education. These programs vary from school to school, but typically involve taking
a structured set of geospatial classes (perhaps four to seven classes total).
These programs tend to be focused squarely on completing the requirements for a set of courses, and are often available at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels. For example, the Geospatial Certificate at Youngstown
State University involves students taking four required courses—an introductory mapping or geospatial class, an introductory GIS class, an introductory remote sensing course, and either an advanced GIS or advanced
remote sensing class. Students take an additional two courses from a pool
of options, including field methods, GPS and GIS, a geospatial-related internship, object-oriented programming, and database design. Certificates
and degree programs are becoming increasingly available at the community or technical college level as well (see Hands-on Application 15.4: Degree Programs and Certification for Geospatial Technology for some further
investigation).
With geospatial technology entering so many different fields, students
from outside the geography field may seek out a couple of courses or certification to gain a more formal background in geospatial technology to apply to
whatever field they’re in (such as business, real estate, archeology, geology,
or human ecology). Online courses are being offered by a variety of schools
to allow students to complete a geospatial certificate or a degree remotely.
Companies like Esri and organizations like ASPRS offer their own certification programs, and “virtual universities” offer students at one institution the
option to take a geospatial course from a professor at another school. Even
more specialized courses are being developed—for example, today you can