Course Overview!

The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Geography with a concentration in Geographic Information Science (GIS) at Ball State University is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to solve social and environmental problems using advanced spatial information technology. The program covers a wide array of topics, including natural resources, environmental science, transportation, emergency management, social science, and planning. Students gain practical experience through internships and real-world projects with clients, working with state-of-the-art GIS software and equipment in a dedicated lab. The curriculum balances technical skills in GIS analysis with a strong theoretical foundation, ensuring graduates are prepared for a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The program emphasizes collaborative learning in small class sizes, taught directly by expert faculty. Graduates are highly sought after in various industries.

Course Structure

The program consists of university core courses, core geography courses, and concentration-specific GIS courses. Students will learn practical GIS software, theoretical underpinnings of GIS technology, and project management skills. The curriculum incorporates various real-world learning opportunities, including internships and client projects. Key areas of study include GIS, remote sensing, cartography and visualization. Specific courses include Cartography and Visualization of Spatial Data, Introduction to Remote Sensing, Advanced GIS Analysis, GIS Applications Design and Development, and GIS System Design. The total credit requirement is 120, with 15 credits in core major courses, 36-39 in concentration courses, and 66-69 in university core courses.