Forest Resources and Conservation (Concentration in Geomatics)

OnlineMSGeomatics,ForestResourcesandConservation(non-thesis)

The School of Forest Resources and Conservation prepares Geomatics students to become geospatial technology experts through the online Master of Science degree. The Geomatics faculty is nationally and internationally recognized as authors, presenters, and educators. This faculty has developed a flexible degree program that can accommodate each student’s interests in the broad field of geospatial science. Furthermore, MS graduates are well-positioned in the job market to enhance their careers and take advantage of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projection of 18% job growth in the geospatial workforce through 2018. The program offers instruction and learning opportunities with the convenience and flexibility of online delivery so students can continue to work while going to school.

Geomatics has applications in all disciplines which depend on spatial data including forestry, environmental studies, planning, engineering, navigation, geology, geophysics, and national intelligence. Thus, this field of study is fundamental to all areas of study which use spatially related data such as Surveying, Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry, Cartography, Geographic Information Systems, Property or Cadastral Studies, Global Positioning, and Geospatial Analysis.

Collection and analysis of location based information requires an ever-expanding skill set that is valued by both private industry and public agencies as geospatial information guides many of the strategic decisions made by these organizations. The School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC) now offers an online graduate concentration program in Geomatics that addresses a national need for professionals trained in this geospatial field. Working professionals and full-time graduate students in the Southeastern US are particularly targeted for this degree program. The need for a Geomatics program is increasing as agencies and private companies involved in geospatial activities are striving to retool their work force with solid academic training in Geomatics.

A sound science-based Geomatics foundation is needed for developing and implementing evermore complex geospatial projects. We need to equip our graduate students with geospatial skills and science-based principles that are transportable from one task to another for them to be effective in the future as geospatial analysts, GPS specialists, professional surveyors and mappers, GIS analysts and managers, cartographers, imagery analysts, software developers, geodesists, academic educators, and research scientists.

The MS Geomatics concentration in the Forest Resources and Conservation degree requires a total of 30 credits, with 15 chosen from available Geomatics courses (“SUR” prefix) at the graduate level. Students may choose remaining credits from other SFRC courses or any graduate course offered by UF, with the approval of your advisor. Electives should typically be related to natural resources, environmental engineering, urban planning, soil and water sciences, and related subjects.

Courses include:

• SUR 3103C, Geomatics
• SUR 3323, Visualization of Spatial Information
• SUR 3393 + L, Geographic Information Systems
• SUR 3641, Survey Computations
• SUR 4201, Route Geometrics & Design
• SUR 4403, Cadastral Principles
• SUR 4430, Surveying & Mapping Practice
• GIS 6103, GIS Programming & Customization
• SUR 5365, Digital Mapping
• SUR 5385, Remote Sensing Applications
• SUR 5525, Least Squares Adjusted Computations
• SUR 5625, Geographic Information Systems
• SUR 6375, Terrain Analysis & Mapping
• SUR 6395, Topics in GIS
• SUR 6427, Land Tenure & Administration
• SUR 6934, Fundamentals of GIS
• SUR 6934, Image Processing
• SUR 6934, Geodesy & Geodetic Positioning

Final Examination
The School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC) is required to give a final examination to students as part of their MS graduation requirements. The examination format (e.g. written or oral), length, breadth, location, and subject matter will be determined by the Major Advisor plus an additional SFRC faculty member in concert with the student. The content will be centered on subject matter drawn from the student’s coursework. A second SFRC faculty member, to be identified by the Advisor and student working together, will be required to participate in the student’s examination. The examination should be taken during the last semester of enrollment, but no later than one month prior to the end of the term.

Admission to the SFRC graduate programs is conditional on securing a faculty advisor for your studies; the best methodfor contacting potential advisors via email with an attachment of your CV/resume.Once you have identified an advisor, visit the University of Florida Office of Admissions website to begin the formal application process. You will need to provide the following in addition to the online application:$30 application fee, paid to the Office of Admissions.Official transcripts of all previous academic work. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 is expected.GRE scores – general test only, taken within five years. Typical combined scores range from approximately 295-305.Three letters of recommendation from relevant academic or employment colleagues.Letter of intent/statement of purpose detailing the areas you wish to study and/or your background.Curriculum Vitae or Resume. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80

Funding Opportunities for Current or Prospective Students

• Funded PhD in harbour seal ecology
• Student Trainee Biological Science
• WSG Science Communications Fellowship
• New York Tree Trust Municipal Forestry Internship
• Assistantships, Ph.D or M.S. in Forest Health
• Urban Forestry Internship Program
• Sea Delight Ocean Fund Intenship for Graduate Students
• Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship in Water Rights, Land Use, and Climate Change
• Senior Associate, U.S Oceans, Southeast

Accreditation

The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and thus all UF degree programs carry this accreditation (and are held to very high peer-review and administrative/bureaucratic approval processes during the development of courses and programs).

The SFRC

Since 1937, the School of Forest Resources & Conservation has been developing new knowledge and educating students and citizens about the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. We emphasize integrative, interdisciplinary approaches spanning three main programs: (1) Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences emphasizing sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic ecology and health; (2) Forest Resources and Conservation including the biology, ecology, economics, policy and human dimensions associated with sustainable management and conservation of forests; and (3) Geomatics specializing in modern geospatial sciences such as surveying, mapping, remote sensing, satellite imagery, GIS and GPS.

Missions

The SFRC is part of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences with four missions: undergraduate education, graduate education, research and extension. Our programs provide: (1) a rich personal educational experience for students; (2) new discoveries and applications that enrich lives, communities and natural resources; and (3) lifelong learning opportunities for professionals, policy makers, landowners, youth and the general public.