2022-2023

Geographic Information Science with Remote Sensing, Master of Science

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

A 30-unit program that integrates geospatial problem solving with state of the art geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. The program emphasizes geodatabase management, programming for GIS, geographic data analysis, geovisualization, web mapping, image analysis, and location intelligence. The graduate will be prepared to take leadership roles in geospatial data management and analysis in many fields and industries.

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 30
Additional Admission Requirements Additional admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are recommended.
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The MS in Geographic Information Science with Remote Sensing program prepares GIS professionals who will take leadership roles in geospatial data management and analysis in many fields and industries.  It integrates geospatial problem solving with state of the art geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. The program emphasizes geodatabase management, programming for GIS, geographic data analysis, geovisualization, web mapping, image analysis, location intelligence, and project management. It is designed for working professionals or new college graduates with a Bachelor's degree in any discipline who want to elevate their career or develop a new career in GIS and remote sensing. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to demonstrate abilities in effectively managing and analyzing geospatial data, working with remotely sensed images, producing high-quality maps, publishing interactive web maps, developing GIS tools and automating spatial data processing, as well as developing solutions for GIS problems and managing GIS projects. Graduates will be able to find opportunities and play leadership roles in fields and industries such as urban and regional planning, transportation planning, environment and resource management, energy development and management, and utility management, in either government or private sector.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion students will be able to:

Manage geospatial data

  • explain map projection, datum, and coordinate systems
  • define coordinate system to data and perform transformation between coordinate systems
  • explain spatial data representation and data models and perform between different data formats
  • explain how spatial and attribute information is stored in the computer
  • compile, create, and edit geospatial data
  • work with personal, file, and enterprise geodatabase
  • create and work with attribute domains, relationships, topology, and versions in enterprise geodatabase

Analyze geospatial data and provide decision making support
  • develop spatial analysis procedures
  • prepare and preprocess data for spatial analysis
  • perform vector-based and raster-based analysis
  • effectively find and use geoprocessing tools
  • perform raster-based analysis using map algebra
  • interpret analysis results

Develop GIS applications for the area of interest
  • identify problems, goals, and objectives of GIS applications
  • source data that are in appropriate format and quality for the applications
  • develop strategies and workflows for solving the problem
  • develop cartographic models to implement the strategies and workflow
  • implement the cartographic models using ArcGIS geoprocessing tools and ModelBuilder
  • creating Python script to implement geoprocessing automation
  • develop custom tools using Python scripts 
  • interpret model output

Manage GIS projects
  • describe the project
  • identify problems, goals, and objectives of projects
  • develop strategies, methodology, and procedures
  • prepare data that meet demands of projects
  • solve the problems by analyzing data
  • interpret and discuss the analysis results
  • provide management or policy recommendations
  • develop project plan including resources and timeline
  • create professional project reports

Create maps from data and publish maps on the web
  • explain the server-client model in web mapping
  • explain web map service and web feature service protocol
  • explain and use vector data formats GML and GeoJSON for web GIS
  • publish maps on the web using ArcGIS online, StoryMaps, and leaflet
  • client-side map customization using javascript and css

Perform high level remote sensing and photogrammetry analysis
  • explain basic concepts of remote sensing including platforms, sensors, properties electromagnetic radiation, etc.
  • effectively use popular and publicly available remotely sensed data sources
  • perform imagery data processing and visualization
  • perform supervised and unsupervised classifications
  • interpret imagery data
  • develop environment/resource monitoring applications

 

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements
Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.