Bachelors of Science Geographic Information Science,
Post Bachelor Certificate in Geomatics or Geographic Information Systems
and
Masters of Science Geospatial Surveying Engineering

Geographic Information Science Program Mission and Educational Objectives:

The mission of the Geographic Information Science Program is to prepare graduates for a variety of career paths related to the acquisition, analysis, and management of geospatial data and information. These career paths include education towards advanced degrees and employment in the fields of Geomatics or the rapidly expanding field of Geographic Information Systems. Graduates will have met the educational requirements to become Registered Professional Land Surveyors in Texas.

Summary:

• All Students that graduate are expected to be able to accomplish the acquisition, analysis, and management of geospatial data and information.
• All Students are capable of continuing paths towards graduate studies and/or employment in the fields of Geomatics and Geographic Information Systems.
• All Students are prepared to become Registered Professional Land Surveyors but not all graduates will choose this option.

Two Emphases under the GISC Degree:

• Geomatics

Geomatics is a field of activity that uses a systematic approach to integrate all means of capturing and managing spatial data required for scientific, administrative, legal, and technical operations involved in the production and management of spatial information. These activities include, but are not limited to, cartography, control surveying, digital mapping, geodesy, geographic information systems, hydrography, land information management, land surveying, mining surveying, photogrammetry, and remote sensing. Graduates will have met the educational requirements to become Registered Professional Land Surveyors in Texas.

• Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems is a professional discipline that focuses on the computer-based solutions involving the collection, synthesis, analysis, and communication of spatially related information within a geographic jurisdiction or area. Local, State, and Federal government agencies and private industries have been rapidly converting paper-based systems used to manage spatially referenced data and information to highly automated graphics systems that integrate digital mapping with computerized databases. Graduates will have met the educational requirements to become Registered Professional Land Surveyors in Texas.

Geographic Information Science Program Outcomes.

Graduates of the program will have:

1. An understanding of the basic principles of mathematics, physics, and computer science; the professional skills; and modern tools for professional practice in the geospatial sciences as well as for graduate education.
2. An understanding of the principles in geospatial sciences and understanding of professional practice and ethical issues, including the ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
3. The ability to work in a team and develop problem-solving skills that include oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate professional geospatial information.
4. An awareness and utilization of external organizations and institutions that provide useful geospatial data sets and their relationships to traditional and contemporary societal issues.
5. A recognition of the need for continued learning and development of leadership skills through involvement in volunteer professional organizations and societies.

The Geographic Information Science program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers undergraduate education with a Bachelors of Science in Geographic Information Science with emphases in Geographic Information Systems or Geomatics. Graduate studies at the Masters level are offered in Computer Science with a Geographic Information Science emphasis. The mission of the Geographic Information Science Program is to prepare graduates for a variety of career paths related to the acquisition, analysis, and management of spatial data and information. These career paths include education towards advanced degrees and employment in the fields of Geospatial Systems. The program prepares individuals to apply scientific and mathematical principles to determination of location, elevation, and alignment of natural and manmade topographic features.

Conrad Blucher Institute:

The Geographic Information Science program was started by a generous endowment from Mr. Conrad Blucher, a local South Texas Land Surveyor. This helped establish the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science and provides an Endowed Chair which is currently held by our faculty member Dr. Joseph Loon.

Laboratories:

Ward Island

The Geomatic Equipment Laboratory is located within CBI and contains the latest surveying and mapping equipment and software from donation by industry leaders such as: Trimble Navigation TopCon Thales Navigation Leica Geosystems ESRI Inc. Schonstedt Instrument Company Our Geographic Information Science laboratories located in the Center for Instruction are designed to support distributed learning techniques with the ability to link current information. We have multiple labs that we share with computer science, engineering technology, and other campus research laboratories. CAMS Labs Software/Hardware By Room Email

Plat Collection:

Blucher surveying crew, 1876.

The Bell Library is home to the largest depository of surveying historical records of south Texas.
This collection includes original notes and maps of famous properties such as the King Ranch.
The Conrad Blucher Surveying Collection represents a major research and educational resource assembled by three generations of Nueces County surveyors belonging to the historic Blucher family.
Conrad Blucher Surveying Collection

Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology:

Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology

University Consortium for Geographic Information Science:

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi is a member of the UCGIS. During the last three decades rapid growth has occurred in the field of geographic information. With this growth have come diverse notions concerning which direction the field should take. In a effort to ensure that a coherent view emerges, a broad representation of universities and professional associations have come together to form the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS). See http://www.ucgis.org/ for more information.