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Geospatial Information Science (GIS)

A drone on the ground

Geospatial Information Science is a key component of modern natural resource management. Advancements in GIS software, availability of remotely sensed imagery from satellites, aircraft and drones, along with powerful computers, are revolutionizing our understanding of natural processes and expanding our ability to shape them.

Our GIS research builds on the range of geospatial information science represented by our faculty who use cutting-edge technology that is flexible enough to apply to a variety of natural resource areas, such as:

  • Precision forestry
  • Wildlife habitat modeling
  • Forest planning
  • Movement ecology
  • Landscape ecology

Graduate Degrees in Geospatial Information Science

Geospatial Information Science has become a key component of modern natural resource management. Advancements in GIS software, availability of remotely sensed imagery from satellites, aircraft and drones, along with powerful computers, are revolutionizing our understanding of natural processes and expanding our ability to shape them. Familiarity with geospatial analysis is increasingly important to employers, and specialization in the Geospatial Information Science disciplinary area can open a number of unique employment opportunities. Warnell’s graduate program builds on the broad range of applications of geospatial information science represented by our faculty (e.g., precision forestry, wildlife habitat modeling, forest planning, movement ecology, landscape ecology, among others), utilizes cutting-edge technology, and is flexible enough to apply to a variety of natural resource emphasis areas. A specialized Area of Emphasis is available for MFR students. Graduates can find jobs in academia, NGOs, state and federal agencies, and consulting firms.

CURRICULUM

Geospatial Information Science can be pursued under the MNR, MS, and PhD degree programs. To pursue this area of emphasis as part of a master's degree, the following courses are required:

  Course ID Name Hours*
Choose 1: FORS 7690/L` Applied Geographic Information Systems for Forest Resource Management 3
  FANR 7620/L GIS Applications for Natural Resources 3
       
Electives: FANR 8400 Advanced Spatial Analysis for Natural Resources 1-4
  FANR 8500 Agent-Based Modeling in Ecology and Management 3
  FORS 7650/L Aerial Photogrammetry in Forestry 3
  FORS 7670 Forestry Information Systems 3
  FORS 7640/L Unmanned Aerial Systems' Role in Natural Resource Management 3
  FORS 8450 Advanced Forest Planning 3
  WILD 8330 Landscape Ecology 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students pursuing a PhD program must include the following courses for this area of emphasis:

  Course ID Name Hours*
Required: FANR 8400 Advanced Spatial Analysis for Natural Resources 1-4
       
Electives: FANR 8500 Agent-Based Modeling in Ecology and Management 3
  FORS 7650 Aerial Photogrammetry in Forestry 3
  FORS 7670 Forestry Information Systems 3
  FANR 7640 Unmanned Aerial Systems' Role in Natural Resource Management 3
  FORS 8450 Advanced Forest Planning 3
  WILD 8330 Landscape Ecology 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Total of 9 hours required for this area of emphasis

QUESTIONS?

For general questions about pursuing a graduate degree at Warnell, contact a member of the graduate team:

Dr. Jacek Siry, Graduate Coordinator

Office: 4-501

Phone: 706-542-3060

Kate deDufour, Graduate Program Administrator

Office: 1-217

Phone: 706-542-1183

Prospective students should also contact faculty members for questions specific to this disciplinary area. Please check faculty members’ personal pages for information about their individual research interests and projects to ensure that you are contacting the most relevant ones.

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Rebecca Templeton sees her work in geospatial information systems as a puzzle.

Personnel

Combinatorial optimization

Development and testing of heuristic methods for addressing large-scale or complex forest planning problems.

GPS accuracy assessments

Mapping and recreation-grade GPS unit assessments. Whitehall Forest GPS test site

Southern Forestry…

I am a landscape ecologist and am interested in studying patterns across landscapes. I apply spatial data and modeling techniques to ecological and social systems to measure patterns and processes and to explore the interactions between coupled natural and human systems. I explore landscape…

Spatial patterns in fish and wildlife populations GIS tools for natural resource decision-making We apply spatial theory and technology to a broad range of ecological and management problems

Precision Forestry

Remote sensing quantification of vegetation 

Forest biomass/forest carbon

Leaf area index/vegetation indices

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