The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Geomatics prepares students for a career in surveying and mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and related professional fields. Geomatics integrates disciplines of land surveying and mapping, geodesy, hydrography, remote sensing, photogrammetry, LiDAR/point clouds, and GIS. The Geomatics program is the only program statewide to provide the level of education required by the State of Alaska in obtaining professional land surveyor licenses.
The Bachelor of Science in Geomatics is accredited by the Applied and Natural Sciences Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Licensure and/or Certification
Graduates of the BS in Geomatics gain four years of education credit toward obtaining a professional land surveyor license in Alaska.
This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see UAA's Licensure and Certification website for more information.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
Special Considerations
- Students who intend to enroll in this degree of study are strongly encouraged to complete the following courses in high school with a C or better: Mathematics - Algebra and Trigonometry (2 semesters), Natural Science such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or Geology (1 year), English Composition - Skill level as demonstrated by ACT, SAT, or approved placement test to qualify for enrollment in WRTG A111. Insufficient preparation may increase the number of semesters required to complete the degree.
- A student who is unable to earn a minimum grade of C in a major requirement course during their initial enrollment may attempt to earn a satisfactory grade one additional time on a space-available basis. Failure to earn a minimum grade of C on the second attempt may result in removal from the geomatics program.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- The 3 credit Tier 1 Quantitative Skills GER will be met and exceeded by the following degree requirements: (MATH A151 &MATH A152) or MATH A155, MATH A251 or MATH A251F, and MATH A252 or MATH A252F.
- The 7 credit Tier 2 Natural Science GER will be met and exceeded by the 11-12 credit Natural Sciences Elective degree requirement.
- For 3 credits of Tier 2 Humanities GER, choose PHIL A305.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BA A241 | Business Law I | 3 |
| BA A300 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 |
| ESM A450 | Economic Analysis and Operations | 3 |
| GEO A146 | Geomatics Computations | 3 |
| GEO A346 | Advanced Geomatics Computations | 3 |
| GEO A460 | Geomatics Capstone Project | 3 |
| GIS A101 & A101L | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab | 3 |
| GIS A201 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GIS A351 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| MATH A151 & MATH A152 | College Algebra for Calculus and Trigonometry | 5-7 |
| or MATH A155 | Precalculus | |
| MATH A251 | Calculus I | 4-6 |
| or MATH A251F | F.A.T. Calculus I | |
| PHIL A305 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| STAT A253 | Applied Statistics for the Sciences | 4 |
| Complete 11-12 credits from the following with at least one lab and 3 credits in PHYS | 11-12 | |
| Solar System Astronomy and Solar System Astronomy Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography | ||
or GEOL A178 | Introduction to Oceanography | |
| Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Environmental Science: Systems and Processes | ||
| Discovering Alaska and Earth's Physical Geography: From Weather to Glaciers | ||
| Planet Earth and Planet Earth Laboratory | ||
| Dangerous Earth and Dangerous Earth Laboratory | ||
| College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | ||
| College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory | ||
| General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory | ||
| Choose one of the following concentration areas: surveying or geographic information systems (GIS). | 42-44 | |
| Total | 96-103 | |
Surveying Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO A156 & A156L | Geospatial Measurement I and Geospatial Measurement I Laboratory | 3 |
| GEO A256 & A256L | Engineering Surveying and Engineering Surveying Laboratory | 3 |
| GEO A266 & A266L | Geospatial Measurement II and Geospatial Measurement II Laboratory | 3 |
| GEO A267 | Boundary Law I | 3 |
| GEO A357 | Photogrammetry | 3 |
| GEO A359 | Geodesy and Map Projections | 3 |
| GEO A364 | Spatial Data Adjustments | 3 |
| GEO A369 | Cadastral Surveys | 1 |
| GEO A410 | High-Density Surveying | 3 |
| GEO A420 | Point Cloud Analysis | 3 |
| GEO A457 | Boundary Law II | 3 |
| GEO A466 & A466L | Geopositioning and Geopositioning Laboratory | 3 |
| KIN A112 | First Aid and CPR for Professionals | 1 |
| Complete 8-9 credits from the following: | 8-9 | |
| Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Engineering Graphics | ||
| Hydrographic Surveying | ||
| Selected Advanced Topics in Geomatics | ||
| Web GIS | ||
| Spatial Data Management | ||
| Spatial Analysis | ||
| Image Analysis | ||
| Individual Research 1 | ||
| Total | 43-44 | |
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CSCE A101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| GIS A301 | Web GIS | 3 |
| GIS A458 | Spatial Data Management | 3 |
| GIS A466 | Spatial Analysis | 3 |
| GIS A467 | Image Analysis | 3 |
| Complete 12 credits from the following (at least 6 credits must be upper-division courses): | 12 | |
| Selected Topics in Computer Science and Computer Systems Engineering | ||
| Engineering Graphics | ||
| Geospatial Measurement I and Geospatial Measurement I Laboratory | ||
| Boundary Law I | ||
| Geodesy and Map Projections | ||
| Selected Advanced Topics in Geomatics | ||
| Geospatial and Cartographic Techniques for the Sciences | ||
| Individual Research 1 | ||
| First Aid and CPR for Professionals | ||
| Complete an additional 15 credits in CSCE, MATH (excluding MATH A420 and MATH A495A), STAT, GEOG, ECON, BA, or HS. Six of these credits must be upper-division courses. | 15 | |
| Total | 42 | |
- 1
A maximum of 6 credits may be applied to degree requirements.
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 must be upper-division.
Honors in Geomatics
The Bachelor of Science in Geomatics recognizes distinguished achievement by conferring programmatic honors in geomatics. In order to receive honors in geomatics, a student must meet the following requirements:
- Complete all requirements for a BS in Geomatics;
- Complete a minimum of 30 resident credits with academic letter grades;
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the courses required for the major and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or above
- Be an active member for at least one year of a national or an on-campus student chapter of a professional geomatics society OR document a minimum of eight weeks of work experience in an engineering or geospatial science-related position, or pass geomatics profession-related exams or certifications.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Geomatics will be able to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline;
- Formulate or design a system, process, procedure or program for the intended purpose;
- Develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions;
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
- Understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts;
- Function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
Sample Plan - GIS
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CSCE A101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| GIS A101 & A101L | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab | 3 |
| MATH A151 | College Algebra for Calculus | 4 |
| WRTG A111 | Writing Across Contexts | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH A152 | Trigonometry | 3 |
| GER Humanities 1 | 3 | |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GER Social Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills (200-level) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BA A241 | Business Law I | 3 |
| GEO A146 | Geomatics Computations | 3 |
| MATH A251 | Calculus I | 4 |
| STAT A253 | Applied Statistics for the Sciences | 4 |
| Program Elective (Natural Science) 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEO A346 | Advanced Geomatics Computations | 3 |
| GIS A201 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GER Social Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Natural Science w/ Lab) 2 | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GIS A301 | Web GIS | 3 |
| GIS A351 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GER Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Program Elective (GIS Concentration) | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Natural Science) 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BA A300 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 |
| GIS A466 | Spatial Analysis | 3 |
| PHIL A305 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| Program Elective (GIS Concentration) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GIS A458 | Spatial Data Management | 3 |
| GIS A467 | Image Analysis | 3 |
| Program Elective (Natural Science) 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective (GIS Concentration) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESM A450 | Economic Analysis and Operations | 3 |
| GEO A460 | Geomatics Capstone Project | 3 |
| Upper Division Program Elective (GIS Concentration) | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
- 1
Choose a course that also fulfills the Alaska Native-Themed GER.
- 2
Three (3) Program Elective (Natural Science) credits must be a PHYS selection.
Sample Plan - Surveying
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| GEO A156 & A156L | Geospatial Measurement I and Geospatial Measurement I Laboratory | 3 |
| MATH A151 | College Algebra for Calculus | 4 |
| WRTG A111 | Writing Across Contexts | 3 |
| GER Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Natural Science) 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| KIN A112 | First Aid and CPR for Professionals | 1 |
| MATH A152 | Trigonometry | 3 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GER Social Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills (200-level) | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Natural Science) 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEO A146 | Geomatics Computations | 3 |
| GEO A266 & A266L | Geospatial Measurement II and Geospatial Measurement II Laboratory | 3 |
| GIS A101 & A101L | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab | 3 |
| MATH A251 | Calculus I | 4 |
| STAT A253 | Applied Statistics for the Sciences | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEO A267 | Boundary Law I | 3 |
| GEO A346 | Advanced Geomatics Computations | 3 |
| GIS A201 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GER Humanities 1 | 3 | |
| GER Social Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BA A241 | Business Law I | 3 |
| GEO A256 & A256L | Engineering Surveying and Engineering Surveying Laboratory | 3 |
| GEO A359 | Geodesy and Map Projections | 3 |
| GIS A351 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Program Elective (Surveying Concentration) | 2-3 | |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BA A300 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 |
| GEO A357 | Photogrammetry | 3 |
| GEO A364 | Spatial Data Adjustments | 3 |
| GEO A369 | Cadastral Surveys | 1 |
| PHIL A305 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| Program Elective (Natural Science w/ Lab) 2 | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ESM A450 | Economic Analysis and Operations | 3 |
| GEO A410 | High-Density Surveying | 3 |
| GEO A466 & A466L | Geopositioning and Geopositioning Laboratory | 3 |
| Program Elective (Surveying Concentration) | 3 | |
| Program Elective (Natural Science) 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEO A420 | Point Cloud Analysis | 3 |
| GEO A457 | Boundary Law II | 3 |
| GEO A460 | Geomatics Capstone Project | 3 |
| Program Elective (Surveying Concentration) | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 122-123 | |
- 1
Choose a course that also fulfills the Alaska Native-Themed GER.
- 2
Three (3) Program Elective (Natural Science) credits must be a PHYS selection.