Geographic Information Science(GIS), based on computer, is a latest discipline, with remote sensing (RS), global satellite navigation system (GNSS), and geographic information system (GIS) as its core technology to study the theory, technology and approach of the capturing, processing, storage, analysis and application of geo-spatial database. The emerging disciplines and methods are widely used in various national economic sectors, such as ministry of land and resources, urban planning, agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, environmental protection, and transportation.
(1) Training objectives
The profession aims to cultivate specialists in geographic information science, with an equal eye to their all-round development in morality, intellect, physique and aesthetics.To achieve this ultimate goal, they are required to have a good mastery of basic theory, knowledge and skills of cartography, geographic information system, remote sensing and surveying. On the basis of that, it is hopeful for them to engage in scientific research in institutions or teaching work in colleges. Moreover, they are expected to be up to application study, technology innovation and production management in such fields as urbans, regions, resource, environment, transportation, infrastructure, planning management and the like.
(2) Professional requirements
Students should systematically master the basic theory, knowledge andskills and methods of GIS(geographic information science), and be trained in good scientific thinking and comprehensive analysis methods; students should master the basics of surveying,mapping, GIS(geographic information systems), and remote sensing necessary for this major skills and its comprehensive application methods. Moreover, students should understand the general principles and knowledge of its neighboring majors such as human geography, natural geography, and the like; students should know the latest research progress in geographic information science (GIS) at home and abroadand the development of geographic information industry. Furthermore, students should have a good commend of a foreign language and can smoothly read the professional foreign books and periodicals; students should master the basic methods of data query, document retrieval and the use of modern information technology to obtain relevant information; students should have a certain ability of experimental design and analysis, scientific research and thesis writing.
2. Educational system and degree
(1) Implement flexible schooling system. The Four-year Schooling System is necessary, but students can complete their studies within 3-7 years.
(2) Graduates who meet the requirements of the "Regulations on Academic Degrees" will bereceived a Bachelor of Science degree.
3.Graduation Requirements
The total credit for graduation is 170 credits, including 96 credits for required courses (38 credits for public elementary courses, 35 credits for disciplinary elementary courses, and 23 credits for professional elementary courses); 52 credits for optional courses (44 credits for professional electives, 8 credits for public electives); 22 credits for practical teaching links (including 7 credits for special credits).
4. Curriculum and Credits Allocation
Curriculum Credits and Proportion |
Gross |
required courses |
optional courses |
practical teaching links |
public elementary courses |
disciplinary elementary courses |
Professional elementary courses |
Subtotal |
Professional electives |
Public electives |
Subtotal |
Professional practice |
Graduation thesis |
Special credits |
Subtotal |
Credits |
170 |
38 |
35 |
23 |
96 |
44 |
8 |
52 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
22 |
Percentage of total credits(%) |
100 |
22.4 |
20.1 |
13.5 |
56.5 |
25.9 |
4.7 |
30.1 |
5.3 |
3.5 |
4.1 |
12.9 |
5. Major Disciplines
Geography,Remote Sensing, Computer Science and Technology
6.Main courses
Physical Geography, Human Geography, Cartography, Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, Computer Programming, Basic Algorithms in GIS, Spatial Databases, Spatial Analysis, Introduction to Remote Sensing, Remote Sensing Image Processing, Geo-Science Analyses and Applications of Remote Sensing, Surveying, The Principle and Application of GNSS(Global Navigation Satellite System), GIS Software Applications, GIS Design and Development.