Program Details

Prepare for a career in the growing field of Environmental GIS.

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Students will:

  • Demonstrate geographic, environmental and spatial awareness of the human and natural world through geospatial inquiry and hypothesis-driven analysis.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of GIS applications.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in multiple modes of communication with professional, management, and lay audience.
  • Be able to create or acquire data using appropriate technologies and applying best practices for processing, documentation, quality control and critical assessment.
  • Be able to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative uncertainty and limitations of data
  • Demonstrate proficiency with database management, data modeling, and query.
  • Demonstrate basic proficiency in GIS application development using at least one widely used programming language.
  • Execute a project applying geospatial technology to a specific problem of the natural or human world in collaboration with a community partner through a capstone project.
  • Be able to critically evaluate and creatively solve problems relating to geospatial questions and environmental issues.

Program competency Domains:

  • Geographic, environmental and spatial awareness and inquiry
  • GIS applications
  • Data visualization, graphic and cartographic design
  • Data acquisition, processing, documentation, and quality control
  • Computer information science and database management
  • Basic application development using at least one widely used programming language
  • Communication
  • Project management
  • Problem solving and critical thinking

Concentrations

Community Applications

18 Credits

The Community Applications concentration prepares students for careers or graduate study in planning, land conservation, community resilience and sustainability. 

The 18-credit concentration combines coursework in community studies and related social sciences with tools and practices used in community and regional planning, government, and land records management. This pathway is available in both on-campus and online formats.

Upon completion of the Community Applications concentration student will:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in common applications of geospatial technology for communities, such as land use planning, land records, environmental decision making, stormwater and utility management, etc.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of socioeconomic, cultural and geographic factors affecting community resilience
  • Demonstrate an understanding of local and regional community governance and management practices

Ecological Applications

18-20 Credits

The Ecological Applications concentration prepares students for careers or graduate study in the biological and ecological sciences and conservation.  Potential employers are state and federal agencies, tribes, resource extraction industries, and non-profit organizations.  

This 18–20 credit concentration incorporates field-based courses in biology and ecology. Students must take a minimum of three semesters of courses on campus. 

Upon completion of the Ecological Applications concentration student will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of biological and ecological concepts
  • Apply knowledge of ecological systems to evaluate data used in GIS projects and the maps produced
  • Demonstrate knowledge of a particular group of organisms and the ability to use that group as a model for understanding other groups
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of advanced GIS tools and applications to ask and answer questions about ecological systems

Spatial Data Science Concentration

17-18 Credits

The Spatial Data Science concentration prepares students for careers or graduate studies in spatial data science, GIS application development, and geomatics. This 17–18 credit incorporates quantitative analysis and programming skills necessary for work in application development and research or conservation analytics.

Upon completion of the Spatial Data Science concentration student will:

  • Demonstrate basic proficiency with standard query language (SQL).
  • Demonstrate proficiency in differential calculus.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in spatio-temporal information analysis.

About the Program

Our interdisciplinary curriculum incorporates coursework in geospatial technology, data acquisition, environmental studies, geographic inquiry, computer and data science, programming, and design.

Each course in the program is included to address skills, knowledge and competencies outlined in the US Department of Labor Geospatial Technology Competency Model and emerging workforce needs as identified by the US Department of Labor and workforce research.

Courses incorporate hands-on, applied projects that not only reinforce course skills and competencies, they also teach soft skills required for career success such as critical thinking, project management, oral and written professional communication, ethics, initiative, etc.

Student Resources

EGIS Program Outline

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More ways to study

Set a path that works for you

Whether you’re online or on campus, you’ll learn in small classes, typically of fewer than 20 students. That means you’ll get personal attention from your instructors and advisors from day one. Our faculty members work hard to ensure that students are given access to internship and research opportunities that suit their strengths and interests. Because we spend so much time getting to know our students, our partner organizations trust that job references and letters of recommendation from UMaine Machias faculty are meaningful and sincere.

Employment Outlook

The US Department of Labor classifies geographic information systems science and technology as a “bright outlook” field. In 2018 there were 2,153 job openings and just 1,594 graduates in New England, and demand in the field is expected to increase by 9% from 2016 to 2026.

In 2018 there were 2,153 job openings and just 1,594 graduates in New England, and demand in the field is expected to increase by 9% from 2016 to 2026.

Let the Adventure Begin