Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.S. in Geographic Information Science
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Geographic Information Science at UB is a 36-credit hour program that typically requires two years of full-time study, though a part-time option is also available. The program is specifically designed to provide students with high-impact experiential learning, developing skills highly sought after by employers in various sectors. Students work closely with faculty advisors to select appropriate courses and specialize in areas that align with their career goals. The curriculum includes a wide variety of GIS and spatial analysis programs and programming languages.
Curriculum: The 36-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Geographic Information Science is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of GIS principles and applications. Core requirements generally include foundational courses in graduate geography, research design, univariate and multivariate statistics, and an introduction to GIS. Students also complete a computer programming course (e.g., from Geography or Computer Science and Engineering) and a statistics and quantitative methods course (e.g., Survey Research Methods, Environmental Statistics, Spatial Statistics). A significant portion of the curriculum is dedicated to electives in GIS and related fields, such as Cartography and Geographic Visualization, Remote Sensing, GIS Algorithms and Data Structures, GIS Design, GIS and Environmental Modeling, and GIS and Machine Learning. The program culminates in a capstone experience, which can be a project or a portfolio.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Geographic Information Science at UB has a strong research focus on the theoretical foundations of GIS and the application of geospatial technologies to complex problems. Faculty members in the Department of Geography engage in diverse research areas within GIS, including network models for disease spread, simulating forest fires, analyzing soil erosion, LiDAR and high-resolution satellite remote sensing of urban and natural environments, geospatial modeling of ambient air pollution, and integrated decision-making using environmental models and GIS. Students are trained to develop and use state-of-the-art software and emerging technologies for the collection, processing, and interpretation of geospatial information, preparing them to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Geographic Information Science program at UB is highly career-focused, aiming to prepare students for the strong and growing demand for geospatial skills in both public and private sectors. The curriculum emphasizes "high-impact experiential learning" and "skills employers are looking for," including proficiency in various GIS and spatial analysis software and programming languages. While specific mandatory internships aren't explicitly detailed as a core requirement for the M.S. program, the department highly encourages students to consider internships to expand their learning experience. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in environmental planning, resource management, environmental assessment, and various data-driven industries.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Geographic Information Science program at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing issues and patterns that transcend local boundaries. Geographic Information Science is a universally applicable field, used to analyze global phenomena such as climate change, urbanization, public health crises, and resource distribution. The program's research and curriculum often involve analyzing spatial data from diverse international contexts. Furthermore, as a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, which enriches the learning environment with varied global viewpoints and real-world applications of GIS technology, preparing graduates to work on internationally relevant geospatial problems.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Geographic Information Science (GIS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) provides graduates with a highly sought-after blend of technical expertise and analytical skills in the rapidly expanding field of geospatial technology. This interdisciplinary program, housed within the Department of Geography, focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of GIS, proficiency in cutting-edge software, and the ability to collect, process, and interpret spatial data. With a strong emphasis on practical application and experiential learning, UB's GIS graduates are exceptionally well-prepared for diverse roles across public, private, and non-profit sectors where spatial analysis and mapping are crucial for decision-making and problem-solving.
GIS Analyst/Specialist: This is the most common role, involving the core application of GIS software to analyze spatial data, create maps, perform spatial modeling, and generate reports. GIS analysts work in virtually every sector, including government, environmental consulting, urban planning, and utilities.
Cartographer/Geographic Visualizer: Graduates specialize in the art and science of map-making, using GIS tools to design and produce accurate, aesthetically pleasing, and informative maps and other geographic visualizations for print, digital, or interactive platforms.
Remote Sensing Analyst: These professionals interpret and analyze data collected from aerial platforms (drones, aircraft) and satellites. They use remote sensing techniques to monitor land use changes, assess environmental conditions, track natural disasters, and gather intelligence for various applications.
Geospatial Data Scientist: Combining GIS expertise with advanced statistical and programming skills, these professionals work with large-scale spatial datasets. They apply machine learning and other data science techniques to extract insights, build predictive models, and solve complex spatial problems in fields like smart cities, logistics, and market analysis.
Urban/Regional Planner: Graduates utilize GIS to analyze population distribution, land use patterns, infrastructure needs, and environmental factors for city and regional planning. They develop plans for sustainable development, transportation networks, and emergency preparedness.
Environmental GIS Specialist: Focusing on environmental applications, these roles involve using GIS for conservation, natural resource management, environmental impact assessments, pollution mapping, climate change analysis, and ecological modeling for government agencies, NGOs, and environmental firms.
GIS Developer/Programmer: For those with strong programming skills, this role involves customizing GIS software, building web mapping applications, automating spatial processes, and developing new geospatial tools and solutions using languages like Python, JavaScript, and R.
Public Health GIS Analyst: In the healthcare sector, graduates apply GIS to map disease outbreaks, analyze health disparities, optimize resource allocation for healthcare services, and understand the geographic factors influencing public health outcomes.
Transportation Planner/Analyst: These professionals use GIS to analyze traffic patterns, optimize transportation routes, design public transit systems, and plan for infrastructure development, contributing to efficient and sustainable transportation networks.
Emergency Management Specialist: GIS is critical in disaster preparedness and response. Graduates can work for emergency management agencies to map hazard zones, track disaster events in real-time, coordinate response efforts, and plan for recovery and resilience.
