What is Geographic Information Science?
Geographic information Science (GISc or GISci or GIScience) is the academic theory behind the development, use, and application of geographic information systems (GIS). It is concerned with people, hardware, software, and geospatial data. Geographic Information Science consists of geographic information, digital geographic information, and geographic technologies (GPS, GIS, Remote Sensing). The use of GIScience technologies, including, but not limited to GIS (Geographic Information Systems), has become pervasive throughout the scientific community, natural resource management, government, industry, and business. Advancements in geographic information science are having broad effects in improving day-to-day tasks throughout all sectors of society, from tracking the spread of pollutants to navigating automobiles and emergency vehicles along optimal routes through busy cities.

Note: The term GIS is often used for "geographic information systems" as well as "geographic information science".

GIScience Career Opportunities
Geographic Information Specialists have career opportunities in many industries in the public and private sectors. Public sector jobs are available in defense, urban planning, health/epidemiology, emergency services management, utilities, demographics, environmental, criminal justice and much more. Private sector jobs are available in real estate development, engineering, environmental science, mining, navigation, agriculture, marketing, energy exploration, etc.

An already large $5 billion U.S. market in GIScience technologies is projected to increase to $30 billion within the span of the next few years, even with the economic downturn. The Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook projects very favorable employment projections through 2018.

Skills Required to be a GIS Professional
Employers will typically require a degree in GIS, Geography, Computer Science, or Statistics. If other degrees are related to the employer's field, such as Urban Planning or Civil Engineering, they will accept applicants with those degrees.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY	GEOGRAPHY AND CARTOGRAPHY
Database Design	Map Design
Data Management	Spatial Relationships
User Interface Design	Spatial Analysis
Requirements Definition	2-D and 3-D Presentations
Hardware	Map Projection Systems
Graphics
Image Processing
GIS TECHNOLOGY	OTHER
GIS Software	Coordinate Geometry
Digitizing	Topology
Scanning	Presentation Skills
Data Conversion	Training Skills

GIS Certification
There is not a required certification to get a GIS job. However, there is a GIS Certification offered by the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI), which would allow you to use the "GISP" designation. Candidates for this certification must meet minimum standards for educational achievement, professional experience, and manner in which he or she contributes back to the profession. Candidates must also abide by ethical guidelines. This certification can possibly increase your competitiveness and salary potential, but most of the jobs listings we've seen don't mention this certification as a required or preferred qualification.

Geographic Information Science - Graduate Certificate
This 19-credit GIScience graduate certificate is designed to provide in-career professionals or continuing students with an introduction to GIScience, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cartography, remote sensing, and quantitative spatial analysis. Students completing the certificate program will gain vital competency relevant to today's workforce in the areas of geospatial information technology. Students will receive graduate-level university credits and a certificate upon successful completion of this online program. They can also apply the certificate as needed points toward the national credential of GISP (Certified GIS Professional) offered by the GIS Certification Institute. OSU is ranked among the top geosciences programs in the U.S. by Geotimes & Science Watch.

Courses in the GIScience Graduate Certificate program include:

• Cartography
• Remote Sensing of the Environment
• Geographic Information Systems and Science
• Responsible GIS Practice: Ethics for Future Geospatial Professionals
• Advanced Applications of GIS in the Geosciences

IS / Geographic Information System - Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialization program combines the systems analysis and design components of a general Information Systems degree with courses in the exciting and rapidly developing field of Geographic Information Systems. The GIS specialization is suitable not only for students who are interested in GIS as a career, but also for students who want a general degree in information systems but wish to apply the general principles to a specific discipline. Graduates will be able to apply fundamental systems analysis and design concepts and problem-solving strategies to information technology problems. Analyze, design, and implement solutions to business problems. Create and test computer information systems solutions for business problems. Design maps and interpret information from a variety of visual presentations of abstract geographic information.

Courses in the BS in Information Systems / GIS specialization program include:

• Introduction to GIS
• Principles of Cartography
• Intermediate GIS
• Remote Sensing of the Environment
• Introduction to Computer Science
• Information Systems Analysis
• Information Systems Design and Implementation
• Information Systems Project Management
• Advanced Data Systems

Geographic Information Science and Technology - Master of Science
The GIST Master of Science degree meets the needs of today's researchers and professionals, equipping them with the fundamental science and skills to cope with increasing data complexity and more sophisticated applications. GIS specialists can look forward to careers advising public and private institutions such as government, real estate developers, utilities, and telecommunications firms on where to build new roads, buildings, power plants, and cable lines as well as on environmental matters such as where to build a landfill or preserve wetland habitats.

This program includes a one-week field excursion to the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island. GIST students have an unrivaled opportunity to work intensively with faculty and fellow students in designing and conducting their own geospatial data collection projects.

Courses in the Geographic Information Science & Technology MS Degree program include:

• Concepts for Spatial Thinking
• Spatial Databases
• Spatial Analysis and Modeling
• Geospatial Technology Project Management
• GIS Programming and Customization
• Remote Sensing for GIS
• Cartography and Visualization