MS-GISc Program Description
The MS-GISc program leads to a Master’s of Science in GISc, and requires 40 credits of coursework. The curriculum of the MS-GISc program is comprised of three key elements: 4 core courses (14 credits), 5-6 electives (18 credits), and an 8-credit capstone research experience, with options for either a traditional Master’s Thesis, or a combination of an applied research project and professional experience through an internship, (PEAR option –Professional Experience and Applied Research-PSM) for a total of 40 credits to complete the degree.
Professional Science Master's (PSM)
The Earth, Environmental, and Geospatial Sciences Department now offers a Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MS-GISc) Program/Professional Science Master's (PSM). For a Spring admit, the application deadline is October 15 of the previous calendar year. For a Fall admit, the application deadline is April 15 of the previous academic term. Apply Online.
The MS-GISc Program at Lehman has been officially recognized as a Professional Science Master’s (PSM) by the National PSM Association (NPSMA), and has been approved for affiliation as PSM degree by the Commission on Affiliation of PSM Programs. The NPSMA describes PSM programs as follows: “The Professional Science Master's (PSM) is an innovative, new graduate degree designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in science or mathematics, while simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by employers. PSM programs consist of two years of academic training in an emerging or interdisciplinary area, along with a professional component that may include internships and "cross-training" in workplace skills, such as business, communications, and regulatory affairs. All have been developed in concert with employers and are designed to dovetail into present and future professional career opportunities.”
- Completion of the PEAR Option of the MS-GISc fulfills the requirements for the PSM.
- Course Descriptions
MS-GISc Degree Requirements
- GEP 505 Principles of GISc 3/4
- GEP 621 Remote Sensing 4/6
- GEP 630 Geostatistics and Spatial Analytical Concepts 3/4
- GEP 605 Special Topics in GISc (Environmental Modeling) 4/6
- GEP 602 Biogeography and GISc 4/5
- GEP 606 Raster Analysis
- GEP 610 Spatial Analysis of Urban Health 3/4
- GEP 620 Demography and Population Geography with GISc 3/4
- GEP 631 Advanced Remote Sensing 4/6
- GEP 632 Environmental Health and GISc 3/4
- GEP 635 Natural Hazards and Risk Analysis 4/5
- GEP 640 Urban Geography and GISc 3/4
- GEP 641 Image Analysis 4/6
- GEP 645 Environmental Hydrology 4/5
- GEP 650 Topics in Regional Geography and Applied Mapping Techniques 4/5
- GEP 660 Geovisualization and Analytical Cartography 4/6
- GEP 662 Introduction to Programming for GISc 3/4
- GEP 664 Spatial Database Management 3/4
- GEP 675 Data Acquisition and Integration Methods for GISc 3/4
- GEP 680 Emerging Issues and Methods in GISc 3/4
- GEP 689 Methods Seminar in GISc 3/4
Of the 18 elective credits required for the degree, up to 9 credits of courses may be taken in a cognate discipline, with permission of program advisor.
Students in the PEAR Option must take 12 credits of their electives in Professional Skills courses within the department, or in Health Sciences Dept., Environmental Engineering, or other appropriate program, in consultation with their program advisor, and reflecting their future career plans.)
An 8-credit capstone experience, either the Thesis Option or the Professional Experience and Applied Research (PEAR) Option (PSM).
Traditional Master’s Thesis Option:
- GEP 695 Thesis Research in GISc 8 credits
PEAR Option (PSM)
- GEP 690 Workshop in GISc Research 4/4
and
- GEP 670 Internship in GISc/Professional Experience 4/4
