Bachelor of Science in Geomatics
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.
Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
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 and MATH A252.
- 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/JUST A241 | Business Law I | 3 |
| BA A300 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 |
| ESM A450 | Economic Analysis and Operations | 3 |
| GIS A101 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GIS A201 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GIS A351 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEO A460 | Geomatics Capstone Project | 3 |
| MATH A151 & MATH A152 | College Algebra for Calculus and Trigonometry | 5-7 |
| or MATH A155 | Precalculus | |
| MATH A251 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH A252 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH A314 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| 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 and Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography and Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Environmental Science: Systems and Processes and Environmental Science: Systems and Processes Laboratory | ||
| Earth Systems: Elements of Physical Geography | ||
| Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory | ||
| Environmental Geology and Environmental Geology 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 | 97-102 | |
Surveying Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEO A146 | Geomatics Computations | 3 |
| GEO A156 & A156L | Geospatial Measurement I and Geospatial Measurement I Laboratory | 3 |
| GEO A267 | Boundary Law I | 3 |
| GEO A357 | Photogrammetry | 3 |
| GEO A359 | Geodesy and Map Projections | 3 |
| GEO A256 & A256L | Engineering Surveying and Engineering Surveying Laboratory | 3 |
| GEO A266 & A266L | Geospatial Measurement II and Geospatial Measurement II Laboratory | 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 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Engineering Graphics | ||
| Land Development and Design | ||
| Hydrographic Surveying | ||
| Selected Advanced Topics in Geomatics | ||
| GIS and Remote Sensing for Natural Resources | ||
| Web GIS | ||
| Spatial Data Management | ||
| Spatial Analysis | ||
| Image Analysis | ||
| Individual Research 1 | ||
| Total | 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 | |
| Topics in Computer Science and Computer Systems Engineering | ||
| Engineering Graphics | ||
| Geomatics Computations | ||
| Geospatial Measurement I and Geospatial Measurement I Laboratory | ||
| Geodesy and Map Projections | ||
| Selected Advanced Topics in Geomatics | ||
| Environmental Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | ||
| GIS and Remote Sensing for Natural Resources | ||
| Individual Research 1 | ||
| 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 of may be applied to degree requirements. |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 42 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.
- Meet the UAA requirements for Graduation with Honors.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in their courses required for the major.
- Document a minimum of eight weeks of work experience while a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage in geomatics or related position.
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 to meet desired needs.
- 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.
- Apply knowledge in all six areas of surveying and mapping:
- Field surveying and methods;
- Photogrammetric mapping, image interpretation and remote sensing;
- Surveying calculation and data adjustment;
- Geodetic coordinates and astronomy;
- Cartographic representation, projections, and map production;
- Computer-based multipurpose cadastre, geographic information systems.