Geospatial Science and Technology, Social Science Concentration, B.S.

The Social Science track of our Geospatial Program is designed to apply geospatial information and technology to critically analyze and address societal and equity issues. This track provides students with the tools to understand the spatial and temporal dimensions of social challenges, such as poverty, social injustice, and cultural dynamics. Emphasizing the development of geospatial projects, students will explore the human impacts on both the physical and cultural world. The curriculum fosters critical thinking and effective communication skills, enabling students to engage with the public and professionals on key environmental and social issues. Graduates will be proficient in creating professional-grade maps, posters, and reports, preparing them for careers as GIS analysts, policy advisors, and consultants in sectors focusing on social and environmental planning and management.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Major Academic Plan, Geospatial Science and Technology, Social Science Concentration, B.S.

Program MAPs represent recommended or possible pathways toward degree completion in four years (or two years for transfer students). Please see an advisor and use the DARS planner to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

Geospatial Science and Technology, Social Science Concentration, B.S. MAP

Geospatial Science and Technology, Social Science Concentration, B.S. Transfer MAP

Prerequisite Coursework (0-3 Units)

MATH 101 - College Algebra Units: 3
or equivalent, or demonstrated facility with college algebra through successful completion of pre-calculus at the high school level, or by placement test.

Requirements for the Major (69-70 Units)

The Geospatial Science and Technology major with a concentration in Social Science requires 51-52 units of core coursework and 18 units of concentration specific coursework.

Core Courses

The following core coursework is required for all geospatial science and technology majors.

Lower Division Core Courses (21-22 Units)

GSP 101 - Geospatial Concepts Units: 3
GSP 216 - Introduction to Remote Sensing Units: 3
MATH 101T - Trigonometry Units: 3
GSP 270 - Geographic Information Science (GIS) Units: 3
or
GSP 272 - GIS for Social Science Units: 3
ESM 230 - Environmental Methods Units: 3
or
GEOG 311W - Geographic Research and Writing Units: 3
GEOG 105 - Human Geography Units: 3
or
GEOG 106 - Physical Geography Units: 3
STAT 108 - Elementary Statistics Units: 3
or
STAT 109 - Introductory Biostatistics Units: 4

Upper Division Core (30 Units)

GSP 316 - Cartography Units: 4
GSP 318 - Geospatial Programming I Units: 3
GSP 326 - Intermediate Remote Sensing Units: 3
GSP 330 - Mobile Mapping Units: 3
GSP 370 - Intermediate Geographic Information Science (GIS) Units: 3

Capstone Options

Complete one of the following:

ESM 410W - Geospatial Capstone Units: 4
GEOG 411W - Senior Field Research Units: 4
GSP 410W - Geospatial Capstone Units: 4

Upper Division Restricted Electives

Complete 10 units selected from the following:

CS 325 - Database Design Units: 4
CS 328 - Web-Apps Using Databases Units: 4
GEOG 471M - Topics in Human Geography Depth Experience Units: 1
GEOG 472M - Topics in Regional Geography Depth Experience Units: 1
GEOG 473M - Topics in Physical Geography Depth Experience Units: 1
GSP 416 - Advanced Cartography Design Seminar Units: 4
GSP 418 - Geospatial Programming II Units: 3
GSP 426 - Cartography Practicum Units: 1-4
GSP 436 - Advanced Remote Sensing Units: 3
GSP 470 - Advanced Geospatial Analysis and Modeling Units: 3
GSP 480 - Selected Topics in Geospatial Science Units: 1-3
GSP 480L - Selected Topics in Geospatial Science Lab Units: 1-2
GSP 482 - GSP Internship Units: 2-3

Social Science Concentration (18 Units)

Complete 18 units from the following list. Select courses in consultation with a major advisor.

ANTH 316 - Anthropology and Development Units: 4
ANTH 359 - Special Topics in Archaeology Units: 1-4 (topic: Digitization in Archeology)
GEOG 300 - Global Awareness Units: 3
GEOG 301 - International Environmental Issues and Globalization Units: 3
GEOG 304 - Migrations and Mosaics Units: 3
GEOG 357 - Climate, Ecosystems and People Units: 3
GEOG 357M - Climate, Ecosystems and People Depth Experience Units: 1
GEOG 363 - Political Geography Units: 3
GEOG 365 - Political Ecology Units: 4
GEOG 471 - Topics in Human Geography Units: 1-4
GEOG 472 - Topics in Regional Geography Units: 1-4
NAS 332 - Environmental Justice Units: 3
SOC 225S - Social Issues and Action Units: 4
SOC 316 - Gender and Society Units: 4
or
WS 316 - Gender and Society Units: 4

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program.

Apply geospatial information and technology to understanding the spatial and temporal aspects of social and equity issues and create potential approaches to improving these issues.
Analyze human impacts on the physical, biological, and/or cultural world, and develop and implement geospatial projects.
Seek out original and secondary sources of spatial and aspatial information necessary to understand complex environmental and social issues.
Use critical thinking skills and apply measurable criteria to evaluate contemporary spatial decision-making
Communicate with the public and professionals concerning environmental and social issues.
Create professional maps, posters, reports, and articles containing a variety of spatial and aspatial information.