Geographic Information Science, B.A.

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Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120

Minimum Upper-Division Hours: 40


Overall GPA - Combined and OU: 2.25

Major GPA - Combined and OU: 2.25

Program Code: B450

Major Requirements

  • Courses required for the major may also fulfill University-Wide General Education Requirements.
Core
GEOG 2021Exploring DGES1
GIS 2023Introduction to Spatial Thinking and Computer Mapping3
GEOG 1113The Language of Maps3
GIS 3003Computer Cartography and Geovisualization3
GIS 4013Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems3
GIS 4133Fundamentals of Remote Sensing3
GIS 4243Remote Sensing Applications3
GIS 4253GIS Applications3
GEOG 4893Research and Professional Development3
GEOG 4953Capstone3
Statistics
GEOG 3923Quantitative Methods3
GEOG 4313Interpreting Society and Environment: Qualitative Research Methods3
Computer Related
GIS 1313Computers and Programs for Environmental Professionals3
Applied GIS
Choose one of the following:3
Digital Image Processing
Drones and Remote Sensing
Patterns and Processes in Landscape Ecology
Environmental Spatial Modeling
Geography of Health and Disease
Special Topics/Seminar
Other advisor-approved course
Total Credit Hours40

Major Support Requirements

  • Courses required for major support may not also fulfill University-Wide General Education Requirements.
Major Support Electives
Choose 12 hours (4 courses, to include 6 upper-division hours) of coursework in the same area relevant to the student’s field(s) of study. These 12 hours are to be outside the student’s major area12
Additional Advisor-Approved Electives
Choose two courses6
Total Credit Hours18

General Education and College Requirements

Courses for fulfillment of General Education and college requirements must be from the approved General Education course lists at http://www.ou.edu/content/gened/courses.htmlCourses graded P/NP will not apply. 

UNIVERSITY-WIDE GENERAL EDUCATION (MINIMUM 40 HOURS) AND COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS

At least three hours of Upper-Division General Education coursework must be completed outside the major.

Core Area I: Symbolic and Oral Communication
English Composition (6 hours)
ENGL 1113Principles of English Composition3
ENGL 1213Principles of English Composition3
or EXPO 1213 Expository Writing
Language (0-10 hours)
(0-10 hours) Students who have not completed two years of the same language in high school are required to take two college courses in the same language
Beginning Course0-5
Beginning Course, continued0-5
Mathematics (3 hours)
MATH 1503College Algebra (or higher gen ed-approved Math) 13
Core Area II: Natural Science (7 hours, 2 courses)
Choose two courses including one laboratory component7
Core Area III: Social Science (6 hours)
P SC 1113American Federal Government3
Choose one course from the General Education Social Science list3
Core Area IV: Arts and Humanities
Artistic Forms (3 hours)
Choose one course from the General Education Artistic Forms list3
Western Culture (3 hours)
HIST 1483United States to 18653
or HIST 1493 United States, 1865 to the Present
Choose one course from the General Education Western Culture list (excluding HIST 1483 & 1493)3
World Culture (3 hours)
Choose one course from the General Education World Culture list3
Core Area V: First Year Experience (3 hours)
Choose one course3
Total Credit Hours37-47
1

College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences requirements.

ADDITIONAL COLLEGE B.A. REQUIREMENTS

Humanities and Social Science Electives (3 hours must be Upper-Division)
Choose one course from Arts & Humanities Gen Ed lists3
Choose one course from the Social Science Gen Ed list3
Natural Science Elective
GEOG 1114Physical Geography4
Language
Choose one course at the intermediate level 23
Total Credit Hours13
1

If the student successfully places beyond the second intermediate course, the 13 hours of required language will become free electives. 

Free Electives

Electives to bring total applicable hours to the minimum total required for the degree.

Information Concerning General Rules, Regulations and Minimum Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees

Total Hours: A minimum of 120 semester hours acceptable toward graduation must be completed.
Upper-Division Hours: A minimum of 40 upper- division semester hours acceptable toward graduation must be completed. OU courses numbered 3000 or above are upper- division. Transfer work is counted as lower-division or upper-division credit depending on the level at which it was offered at the institution where it was earned. Two-year college work is accepted only as lower-division credit.
Senior Institution Hours: A minimum of 60 semester hours applied toward graduation must be earned at senior (4-year) institutions.
Residency:

  • A minimum of two semesters must be spent in residence in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences.
  • At least 36 of the last 48 hours must be completed in residence at OU.

Individual Studies: No more than six hours of independent study or directed readings may be applied toward degree requirements.
Grade Point Averages: Students must earn a minimum overall 2.25 for each of the following: Combined Retention GPA (all college grades), OU Retention GPA, GPA for all major courses, and GPA for all major courses taken at OU.

Suggested Semester Plan of Study

This plan shows one possible grouping of courses that would allow students to graduate in four years. Please refer to the front of the degree checksheet for official requirements. Students must consult with College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and/or Geoinformatics Program academic advisors to verify that courses selected each semester fulfill the recommended plan and satisfy university, College of Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences, and Geographic Information Science major requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENGL 1113 Principles of English Composition (Core I) 3
GEOG 2021 Exploring DGES 1
GIS 1313 Computers and Programs for Environmental Professionals 3
Beginning Language (Core I) 5
Mathematics General Education (Core I) 1 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
ENGL 1213
Principles of English Composition (Core I)
or Expository Writing
3
GEOG 1113 The Language of Maps 3
Beginning Language continued (Core I) 5
First Year Experience (Core V) 3
 Credit Hours14
Sophomore
First Semester
GIS 2023 Introduction to Spatial Thinking and Computer Mapping 3
Natural Science with lab (Core II) 1 4
General Education Arts & Humanities elective 1 3
Intermediate Language (College elective) 3
HIST 1483
United States to 1865 (Core IV)
or United States, 1865 to the Present
3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
GEOG 1114 Physical Geography 4
Artistic Forms (Core IV) 1 3
Western Culture (Core IV) 1 3
Social Science (Core III) 1 3
General Education Social Science elective 1 3
 Credit Hours16
Junior
First Semester
GEOG 3923 Quantitative Methods 3
GIS 3003 Computer Cartography and Geovisualization 3
GIS 4013 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems 3
GIS 4133 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing 3
World Culture (Core IV) 1 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
GIS 4253 GIS Applications 3
GIS 4243 Remote Sensing Applications 3
P SC 1113 American Federal Government (Core III) 3
Major Support Elective 2 3
Free Elective 2
 Credit Hours14
Senior
First Semester
GEOG 4313 Interpreting Society and Environment: Qualitative Research Methods 3
GEOG 4893 Research and Professional Development 3
Applied GIS Course 3
Natural Science (Core II) 1 3
Advisor-Approved Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
GEOG 4953 Capstone 3
Major Support Elective 2 3
Major Support Elective 2 3
Major Support Elective 2 3
Advisor-Approved Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120
1

To be chosen from the University-Wide General Education Approved Course List. Three hours of general education must be upper-division outside the major. 

2

Choose 12 hours (4 courses, to include 6 upper-division hours) of coursework in the same area relevant to the student’s field(s) of study. These 12 hours are to be outside the student’s major area