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The 28-credit (+ 4 thesis credits) Research Master of Science in Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) gives you the opportunity to partner with one of our expert faculty to design and implement a thesis project while earning your degree. Required courses are mostly online, but you will also have face-to-face interaction with a faculty mentor, and your thesis research may require you to work on-campus. Successful students may choose to enter the growing geospatial industry or to pursue further graduate study after completing this 2-year degree.
A typical 2-year (4 semester) program is outlined here.
***Note to International Students:
International students enrolled in US universities are limited to a certain number of credit hours of online courses every semester. Since most of the GIST courses are taught in online mode, this could pose problems to international students enrolled in our programs to meet these requirements. Prior to submitting your application, international students must contact UW International Students and Scholars (uwglobal@uwyo.edu) and the WYGISC Academic Director (gist@uwyo.edu) to learn about the current requirement and how it could affect their immigration status.***
The Research Master of Science degree (with thesis) is delivered mainly on the UW campus but with many online courses. Students work with a graduate advisor who will guide their thesis research and chair their graduate committee. This degree requires a combination of core and elective courses that can be completed in 2 years.
In addition to University of Wyoming graduate admission requirements, prospective students for the Research Master of Science Degree are required to submit a statement of purpose describing their background and interest in the degree, a CV or resume, and two letters of recommendation addressing their potential for success in this master’s program. Students are encouraged to initiate correspondence with a faculty member who shares their research interests before applying.
GIST5002 - Geospatial Forum Credits: 1 (must be taken once)
GIST5050 - Basics of Spatial Data Science Credits: 3
GIST5150 - Programming in Spatial Sciences Credits: 3
GIST5200 - Geographic Visualization Credits: 3
GIST5220 - Spatial Modeling & Data Analysis Credits: 3
GIST 5960 - Thesis Research Credits: 4-12 credits
Electives - 7-15 credits
Semester 1
GIST5050 - Basics of Spatial Data Science Credits: 3
GIST5150 - Programming in Spatial Sciences Credits: 3
GIST5200 - Geographic Visualization Credits: 3
Semester 2
GIST5220 - Spatial Modeling & Data Analysis Credits: 3
GIST Elective Credits 6
Semester 3
GIST Electives Credits: 6
Thesis Research Credits: 3
Semester 4
GIST5002 - Geospatial Forum Credits: 1
GIST 5960 - Thesis Research Credits: 8
GIST5050 - Basics of Spatial Data Science Credits: 3
GIST5150 - Advanced Programming in Spatial Sciences Credits: 3
GIST5200 - Geographic Visualization Credits: 3
GIST5280 - Navigating GIST Professions Credits: 1
GIST5300 - Web Mapping and Internet GIS Credits: 3
GIST5350 - Enterprise GIS Credits: 3
GIST5002 - Geospatial Forum Credits: 1
Electives
GIST5050 - Basics of Spatial Data Science Credits: 3
GIST5220 - Spatial Modeling & Data Analysis Credits: 3
GIST 5780 GIS&T Capstone Credits: 3
GIST5002 - Geospatial Forum Credits: 1
Electives
For a full list of courses and descriptions, visit the University of Wyoming GIS&T Catalog page.
Contact our program advisor:
Beth McMillan
gist@uwyo.edu
(307) 287-2891
1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071
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