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Geographic Information Science (BA/BS)

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Geographic Information Science (GIS) (BA/BS)

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Students pursuing degrees in geographic information science (GIS) use data to map, model, and analyze various problems related to geography and meteorology. Integrating advanced computer technologies, people, and detailed information about location, geographic information science reveals spatial relationships, patterns and trends in maps that lead to better decision making in dozens of professional fields, including agriculture, defense and intelligence, environmental sustainability, forestry, law enforcement, and health and human services.

Location-based data are central to 80 to 90 percent of all governmental information and to a wide range of business endeavors.  Students who major in geographic information science study the science and technology of gathering, analyzing, interpreting, distributing and using geographic information.  The U.S. Department of Labor declared geospatial technology as one of the twelve targeted industries that are high growth, high demand, and economically vital for the nation.  Lending itself to both physical and social sciences, geospatial technology is applied across a broad range of sectors.  Career opportunities span academia, government, industry and non-governmental organizations and include careers in agriculture, forestry, urban planning, land use, soil mapping, energy & utilities, redistricting, identifying and monitoring surface and ground water, flood damage assessment and relief measures, and consumer industries like in-car navigation systems.

Interested? Email the Undergraduate Adviser, Jamie Steele at jamie@ou.edu

Students can pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in GIS. Specific course requirements for each program are found on the program checksheet:

Recent OU GIS Alumni - Employment

OU GIS Alumni hold a variety of jobs in many differing career fields. Below is just a small example of these jobs:

  • GIS Technician at the 9-1-1 Dept. of the Association for Central OK Government
  • Geospatial Imagery Analyst at US Navy Reserve
  • Cartography Technician in Kansas City at Garmin
  • Design Technician, Charlotte County, Florida
  • GIS Analyst, Williams
  • GIS Analyst, KAMO POWER
  • GIS Analyst I, Chesapeake Energy
  • GIS Technician, Chickasaw Nation, Ada, OK
  • GIS Analyst II, Williams, San Antonio, TX
  • GIS Analyst at Muscogee Creek Nation
  • GIS Analyst, Absentee Shawnee Tribe; Office of Env. Health and Eng.
  • GIS Contractor, OGE Energy
  • GIS Specialist, Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation
  • GIS Technician, Apply, Austin TX
  • GIS Tech, Chesapeake
  • GIS Tech III, Chesapeake
  • GIS Technician, Meshek & AssociatesGIS Technician at American Energy Partners 
  • GIS Technician, Apex Systems
  • GIS Analyst, Chesapeake Energy
  • GIS Analyst, Tapstone Energy
  • Routing Technician, Oklahoma Environmental Management Authority
  • SAP Specialist and Warehouse Lead Supervisor over the F119 Program, URS Corporation, An AECOM Company 
  • Software Engineer, Centuria
  • IT Analyst II, The University of Oklahoma
  • GIS Research Analyst, Templeton Demographics

Career Options in GIS

  • Cartographic Design
  • Computer Programming
  • Data Analysis, Integration, Mining and Visualization
  • Database Design and Management
  • Disaster Response
  • Environmental Analysis and Management
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Imagery Analyst
  • Logistics Planning and Support
  • Planning (Urban, Transportation, Resources)
  • Project Management
  • System Administration
  • Web Mapping

Helpful Resources