Geospatial Information Science Major

Geospatial Information Science Major

Geospatial Information Science

Major

Geospatial information science (GIS) courses are taught with extensive hands-on use of digital technology in the Geographic Science Laboratory (GSL) and in the field. Cadets use Global Positioning Systems (GPS), view and analyze satellite imagery, build map databases and produce maps with state-of-the-art hardware and software.

Offered by the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering.

Geospatial information science has countless applications whether in the military, civilian, government, or non-profit sectors. The military relies on geospatial technology and data to achieve information dominance on the battlefield. Examples include: GPS, satellite imagery, real-time force tracking, sensor integration, and massive geographic databases. 

GIS majors collect geographic data using drones, survey equipment, or manually. They then analyze that data in a geographic information system in order to understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. Finally, they find various ways to visualize geographic data artfully and effectively convey information about real things that matter to people. This is a hands-on major, in which cadets not only learn theoretical concepts, but also apply those concepts to solving real-world problems. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data with all types of descriptive information. This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry.

Graduates of the geospatial information science program receive a space enabler Additional Skill Identifier (ASI), 3Y, on their official military record. Additionally, those who branch Engineers can receive the Geospatial Engineer Officer ASI, W2, or even earn the Space Badge upon graduation. 

GIS has almost countless applications whether in the military, civilian, government, or non-profit sectors.  The military relies on geospatial technology and data to achieve information dominance on the battlefield. Examples include: GPS, satellite imagery, real-time force tracking, sensor integration, and massive geographic databases.

To dominate on the battlefield, the Army’s transformed fighting forces depend on leaders who understand the capabilities and limitations of geospatial technologies.  Many civilian companies ranging from logistics to technology to leisure and recreation depend on geospatial technology to understand and operate their business.  The government and non-profit sectors use geospatial information to best apply their time and resources. Majoring in Geospatial Information Science gives future West Point graduates, the knowledge to leverage these geospatial tools used heavily throughout all sectors.

This major offers an honors track. 

 

We are also a certified Center of Academic Excellence for Geospatial Sciences. 

We work closely with our partners NGA, AGC, and ESRI to enhance Cadet learning and research experiences. 

Watch this video on the benefits of the major and field of GIS.

If you are also interested in exploring more about Space Science, this major pairs well with the Space Sciences Minor.

To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering.

Required Courses

  • EV377 REMOTE SENSING
  • EV378 CARTOGRAPHY 
  • EV398 GEOG INFORMATION SYSTEMS 
  • EV477 ADVANCED REMOTE SENSING 
  • EV478 MILITARY GEOSPATIAL OPERATIONS 
  • EV498 ADV GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYS
  • EV365 GEOGRAPHY OF GLOBAL CULTURES

Sample Electives

  • EV379 PHOTOGRAMMETRY 
  • EV380 SURVEYING
  • CE371 SOIL MECHANICS/FNDTN ENGNRG 
  • CS393 DATABASE SYSTEMS 
  • CY383 SECURE INTERFACE DESIGN 
  • EV387 METEOROLOGY 
  • EV388A PHYSICAL GEOLOGY 
  • EV388B GEOMORPHOLOGY 
  • EV391B NATURAL HAZARDS AND RISK 
  • EV471 ECOLOGY 
  • EV487 ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY 
  • MA366 APPLIED ENGINEERING MATH 
  • ME202 COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN 
  • PL377 SOCIAL INEQUALITY 
  • SE370 COMPUTER AIDED SYSTEMS ENG 
  • SP471 ASTRONAUTICS 
  • SP472 SPACE PHYSICS 
  • SS381 CULTURAL/POLIT ANTHROPOLOGY 
  • SS464 HOMELAND SECURITY 
  • SS465 TERRORISM: NEW CHALLENGES

To learn more, view the full Geospatial Information Science Major Curriculum.

Cadets in this minor can work with one of the Geography and Environmental Engineering Department’s research centers and engage in any number of domestic or international Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experiences.

Examples of AIADs:

  • Helicopter Landing Zone Analysis (CO, AK, HI, Kwajalein Atoll)
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (St. Louis and Washington D.C.)
  • Army Geospatial Center (Washington D.C.)
  • Geospatial Research Lab (Washington D.C)
  • North Slope Unmanned Aerial Surveying (AK)
  • Combat Capabilities Development Command (MD)

Learn more about GEnE's AIAD opportunities.

 

Examples of Research:

  • Detection of Seasonal Arctic Terrain Change Using a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) 
  • Resolution Analysis of Helicopter Landing Zones
  • Eagle Valley Cemetery Veteran Tracking
  • Machine Learning Exploration of Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) for Regional Predictive Analysis
  • GIS Modeling of Lead Transport on Firing Ranges
  • Lidar Scanner Stability and Accuracy Assessments

 

Honor Societies:
Golden Key - International Honour Society
Phi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor Society

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering or the Center for Environmental and Geographic Sciences (CEGS).

The Geospatial Information Science Major is accredited by the United States Geospatial-Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).