University of Pittsburgh Pitt Home Pitt Home Find People Contact Us

  Prospective Students
  Program Information
  Curriculum
  People
  Facilities
  Main Page

  Graduate Program
  Department News
  Courses Offered
  Faculty
  Research
  Main Page

  Graduate Studies
  Graduate Admissions
  Online Admissions
  Arts & Sciences
  Virtual Tour
  Main Page

 Curriculum & Course Information:

General Information: The GIS/RS Professional-M.S. program in the Department of Geology & Environmental Science is a multi-disciplinary, multi-departmental, non-research degree. Notionally, designed to be completed in two acardemic years (plus one summer), the program length can be changed to slightly shorter or longer depending on the student's work limitations. The required courses are centered in the Department and focus on GIS and RS core proficiencies. Students are also required to take at least one course in the Schools of Business, Law, and Information Sciences. A large degree of flexibility is designed into the 41-credit program so that the student can tailor his/her coursework to fit specific future career goals, personal interests, and time constraints of work/family life.

The example two-year curriculum below is designed assuming a Fall semester start date, however some courses can change and/or may not be offered in the exact sequence as belew. Studnets have great flexibility in taking specified courses earlier in the degree program that are shown offered later, substituting electives or possibilty different courses taken in other departments/schools.


 First Semester:

Skill Sets: GIS and Remote Sensing fundamental principles & software use; communication proficiency; exposure to geospatial professionals

  • GEOL 2449: GIS, GPS, and Computer Methods
  • GEOL 1460: Intro to Remote Sensing
       -- OR --
  • GEOL 2461: Advanced Remote Sensing
  • COMMRC 1102: Organizational Communication
  • GEOL 2015: Geology Colloquium

    Total Credits: 10

 Second Semester:

Skill Sets: advanced GIS/RS proficiency; introduction to computer programming

  • GEOL 2446: Advanced GIS Systems & Computer Methods
  • GEOL 3946: Python Scripting
  • GEOL 2460: Applied Remote Sensing & GPS Techniques *
       -- OR --
  • FIRST FOCUSED ELECTIVE: Detailed Options

    Total Credits: 9

 Summer Semester:

Skill Sets: work experience utilizing geospatial analysis tools; compilation of digital dossier; oral/written presentation experience

 Third Semester:

Skill Sets: statistical data analysis; methodology of information science; introduction to business administration

 Fourth Semester:

Skill Sets: advanced GIS/RS proficiency; awareness of comparative law; personalized elective expertise; data mining & database management

  • LAW ELECTIVE: Detailed Options
  • STATS 1000: Applied Statistical Methods
       -- OR --
  • STATISTICS ELECTIVE: Detailed Options
  • GEOL 2460: Applied Remote Sensing & GPS Techniques *
       -- OR --
  • FIRST FOCUSED ELECTIVE: Detailed Options

    Total Credits: 9


* if not offered, student may substitute a Focused Elective Course this semeseter and take GEOL-2460 in the fourth semester in place of that focused elective. See possible options.

** an appropriate equivalent course may be substituted depending on the career goals of the student. See possible options.

For more information, please email: Ms. Annemarie Vranesevic
Site maintained by: Prof. Michael Ramsey
Last Updated: Wednesday, 15-Aug-2018 16:34:31 EDT