Requirements for the ENVS B.A. Concentration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Description of Concentration
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an interdisciplinary field that links ecology, geography, and society to evaluate and facilitate environmental planning, policy, management and conservation. GIS addresses complex and interconnected social and ecological problems and fosters more sustainable environmental futures by supporting the visualization of geographical distribution of environmental problems and solutions. GIS is also an information technology field that acquires, manages, interprets, integrates, displays, analyzes, or otherwise uses socio-economic and environmental data focusing on geographic, temporal, and spatial contexts. Students in the GIS concentration will develop a strong foundation in environmental problem solving that is linked to geospatial data acquisition and management, computer-based GIS technologies, and advanced geospatial analysis. GIS is a key emerging industry in the U.S. today and job growth is rapidly expanding. GIS specialists work in many areas, including research and analysis in resource and environmental management, biology, sociology, marine sciences, commercial business and marketing, and urban and regional planning.
The GIS concentration provides students within environmental studies majors with a set of foundational courses in introductory geospatial data management and visualization, information technology and software in GIS, and advanced geospatial analytical approaches for environmental applications. The program learning outcomes and student competencies that are achieved through the concentration include the successful development of basic geospatial technology skills and abilities, advanced geo-spatial data analysis abilities for environmental applications, enhanced understanding of scale, co-production of space, politics and power of representation, and the preparation of students for entry and mid-level careers as GIS specialists.
Course Requirements
ENVS B.A. Geographic Information Systems Concentration Major Worksheet (PDF) -- updated August 2023
Alternatively, you may view the program requirements on the 2023-2024 UCSC catalog. For prior catalog years, please visit this website.
Which GEs will get satisfied by this major?
It depends on which classes you take! Please refer to this chart to see which of your GE requirements may be satisfied by taking major courses for any of our majors. If you need help understanding the chart, please speak to ENVS advising.
