Master of Science Geospatial Surveying Engineering

Program Description:

GSEN 09-10 Catalog
The Master of Science in Geospatial Surveying Engineering will provide students with knowledge and skills focusing on the research, design, development, and use of technologies in geospatial surveying engineering. The program builds upon the ABET accredited undergraduate Geographic Information Science program (GISC) and the existing geographic information science concentration in the master’s program in computer science. The program satisfies the regional, state and national need for master’s-level graduates in geospatial systems design and surveying engineering. Due to the diversity of geospatial applications in industry, the 36 credit hour program is purposely designed to offer breadth in the course work.

The degree requires a minimum of 36 semester-credit hours. This must include 15 semester credit hours in the geospatial surveying engineering core, 9 semester credit hours in electives for thesis option or 15 semester credit hours in electives for the non-thesis option, a 3 semester credit hour graduate proposal and 9 semester credit hours of either graduate thesis (resulting in a completed thesis) or 3 semester credit hours for a graduate creative project (resulting in a formal technical report).

Objectives of the program:

Graduates of the Master of Science in Geospatial Surveying Engineering will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Develop, manage, and analyze geospatial data using field and laboratory techniques, integrating surveying and engineering.
2. Develop the capacity for continued learning and professional application.
3. Apply geospatial surveying engineering technologies creatively in real-world setting to solve geospatial processes and effects.
4. Become nationally and internationally recognized professionals.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Master of Science in Geospatial Surveying Engineering will have:

1. The ability to lead teams and apply problem-solving skills that include oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate professional geospatial information.
2. An awareness and utilization of external organizations and institutions that provide useful geospatial data sets and their relationships to traditional and contemporary societal issues.
3. A recognition of the need for continued learning and development of leadership skills through involvement in volunteer professional organizations and societies.

Degree Requirements

The course of study leading to an MS degree in Geospatial Surveying Engineering is composed of four components:

1. General prerequisites (must be satisfied before the student can be formally and unconditionally accepted to the MS program).
2. Required Core Courses.
3. Graduate Project Proposal.
4. Graduate Thesis or Graduate Creative Project.

Courses for Masters is Geospatial Surveying Program

Thesis/Non-Thesis Option

Students will choose between thesis and non-thesis options. The non-thesis option is designed for students who desire a greater breadth of understanding of geospatial surveying engineering than the thesis option provides. The curriculum will especially benefit individuals employed in scientific or technical fields who seek advancement or additional training to enhance their knowledge and skills. Non-thesis students must complete a professional research project with a written final report and seminar. The thesis option requires a thesis based upon original research, supported by the scientific literature, and proved statistically, when appropriate. The thesis master’s degree will allow a person to pursue advanced graduate study, or to obtain employment in most areas requiring a detailed knowledge of a specific aspect of geospatial surveying engineering. Students following either option will be required to take a core of interdisciplinary courses to provide a broad background, and to select elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee to provide in depth education in a particular area of emphasis related to geospatial surveying engineering. The elective courses may derive from one science discipline but they will often be interdisciplinary.

Thesis Option:

Graduate Thesis (GSEN 5398) -9 semester credit hours and Graduate Project Research and Proposal (GSEN 5395) - 3 semester credit hours. (Total 12 hours)

The Geospatial Surveying Engineering Graduate Thesis requires 9 hours of research and a formal publishable thesis. When a student is within 15 semester hours of graduation, he/she may register for GSEN 5395 Graduate Project Research and Proposal to develop a proposal for graduate thesis. After the student has completed all other requirements for the MS degree in GSEN, he/she must schedule an oral exam over his/her graduate program of study and thesis.

Non-Thesis Option:

Graduate Creative Project (GSEN 5393) -3 semester credit hours and Graduate Project Research and Proposal (GSEN 5395) - 3 semester credit hours. (Total 6 hours)

Required Core and Elective Courses

Required Core Courses:

All Geospatial Surveying Engineering students must complete 15 semester hours from the following courses:

Elective Courses

Thesis option students must complete 9 semester hours and non-thesis option students must complete 15 semester hours from the courses listed below or from other interdisciplinary courses, as selected in consultation with their advisory committee, to provide a broad background in GIS or related fields:

The Geospatial Surveying Engineering Graduate Creative Project requires 3 hours of research and a formal publishable technical report. When a student is within 15 semester hours of graduation, he/she may register for GSEN 5395 Graduate Project Research and Proposal to develop a proposal for graduate Creative Project. After the student has completed all other requirements for the MS degree in GSEN, he/she must schedule an oral exam over his/her graduate program of study and thesis.

Additional Courses

The following additional courses may be offered and substituted for any of the courses mentioned in II subject to approval by the student graduate mentor or committee chair.

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