Geographic Information Science and Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) at Georgia Institute of Technology prepares students to become leaders in the rapidly evolving field of geographic data science. This innovative program offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines fundamentals of geography, computer science, and data analysis, equipping students with the skills needed to analyze, visualize, and interpret complex spatial data. Students will learn to utilize state-of-the-art GIS software, programming languages, and data management techniques to solve real-world problems across diverse industries such as urban planning, environmental management, transportation, emergency response, and intelligence. The program emphasizes hands-on experience through labs, projects, and internships, fostering practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Our faculty are experts in GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, and geospatial technology, providing students with mentorship and opportunities for research collaborations. The curriculum includes courses in spatial data acquisition, spatial database management, geospatial intelligence, cartography, remote sensing, machine learning for GIS, and web GIS application development. Interdisciplinary in nature, the program encourages students to engage in team projects and collaborate with industry partners to develop innovative solutions. Graduates of the GIST program are well-prepared for careers in government agencies, private companies, academia, and non-profit organizations. They possess the technological expertise, analytical skills, and spatial thinking necessary to address pressing societal challenges such as climate change, urbanization, disaster management, and resource allocation. The program also offers opportunities for students to continue their education through graduate studies and professional certifications. With Georgia Tech’s strong emphasis on experiential learning and cutting-edge research, students will graduate ready to contribute to the dynamic field of geospatial technologies and make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

The core of the MS-GIST program will be delivered through a body of courses offered by the School of City and Regional Planning. These include courses on quantitative methods, advanced geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, transportation GIS, environmental GIS, and socioeconomic GIS. Additional coursework to supplement the core will be drawn from existing courses in city and regional planning, architecture, public policy, computing, and civil and environmental engineering.

The program of study for the MS-GIST includes one prerequisite (or one year of equivalent professional experience), six required core courses, a two substantive-area courses from a discipline associated with GIS, one free elective course, and the Capstone Project course. All core courses are three-hour courses (except for CP 6024 which is four hours); substantive-area courses and the elective may be three- or four-hour courses, and the Capstone Project course is a six-hour course.

The individual components of the program of study are (with lecture hours, lab hours, and credit hours given in parentheses):

PREREQUISITE COURSE

A basic understanding of GIS technology is required as a prerequisite of the degree program.

This may be achieved through one of four options:

• CP 4510 Geographic Information Systems (3-0-3) or
• CP 6514 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3-0-3) or
• Equivalent coursework at another institution (as evaluated by the program coordinator)
• One year of equivalent professional experience (as evaluated by the program coordinator)

CORE COURSES

The required GIS courses (with lecture hours, lab hours, and credit hours) are:

• CP 6024 Quantitative and Computer Methods (3-3-4)
• CP 6521 Advanced GIS (3-0-3)
• CP 6531 Introduction to Remote Sensing (3-0-3)
• CP 6551 Spatial Analysis of Socioeconomic Data (3-0-3)
• CP 6541 Environmental GIS (3-0-3)
• CP 6542 Transport & GIS (3-0-3)
• CP 6950 Capstone Project (6-0-6)

SUBSTANTIVE AREA COURSES

Because GIS is a trans disciplinary technology, GIST students will be required to take two courses from one of the many GIS-related disciplines. These could include, but are not limited to, courses drawn from civil and environmental engineering, industrial and systems engineering, computer science, earth and atmospheric sciences, public policy, management, city planning, and architecture. The substantive area courses must be approved by the program coordinator. Four substantive area examples are given below.

Environment

• CP 6214 Environmental Planning (3-0-3)
• CP 6223 Policy Tools for Environmental Management (3-0-3)

Land use

• CP 6112 Introduction to Land Use (3-0-3)
• CP 6105 Land Conservation (3-0-3)

Transportation

• CP 6311 Introduction to Transportation Planning (3-3-4)
• CP 6321 Transportation Planning and Investment (3-3-4)

GIS Application Development

• CS 6675 Advanced Internet Computing and Application Development (3-0-3)
• COA 8676 Design and Engineering Databases (3-0-3)

FREE ELECTIVE

This course can be selected by the student and will ordinarily either (1) give extra depth in the student’s selected substantive area or (2) provide the student with a foundational understanding of a second substantive area.

Requirements

• Georgia Tech Application for Graduate Admission.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning.
• A 3.0/4.0 undergraduate GPA and a 3.5/4.0 master’s degree GPA if applicable.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores of 150 for Verbal Reasoning, 148 for Quantitative Reasoning, and 3.5 Analytical Writing.
• TOEFL iBT Scores, if applicable, with a minimum of 100.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

• Graduate Teaching Assistantships
• President’s Fellowships ($5,500 per year)
• Institute Fellowships 

The Georgia Institute of Technology offers a comprehensive program in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) designed to equip students with a solid foundation in the principles and practices of geospatial technology. This interdisciplinary program combines aspects of computer science, geography, and engineering to prepare graduates for careers in various industries such as urban planning, environmental management, transportation, and disaster response. Students will learn to apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Spatial Data Management, and Cartography techniques to analyze and visualize spatial data effectively. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, encouraging hands-on experiences through projects and internships. The program aims to develop professionals capable of solving real-world problems by leveraging geospatial data and technology. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue roles in government agencies, private sector companies, and research institutions that rely on spatial analysis and mapping. Emphasizing innovation and technological advancement, the program also explores emerging areas such as mobile GIS, web mapping, and geospatial data science. Students benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities, as well as collaborations with industry leaders and government organizations. The program often incorporates coursework on data analytics, programming in Python and Java, and the development of web-based GIS applications, ensuring graduates stay competent in the latest tools and methodologies. The degree can be pursued at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with options for specialization based on career interests. Overall, Georgia Tech’s GIST program prepares students to become leaders in the rapidly evolving field of geographic information science, contributing to sustainable development, smart city initiatives, and advancements in spatial decision-making.