Please note:

To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.

Department of Geography | Faculty of Environment Simon Fraser University Calendar | Spring 2025

Geographic Information Science Minor

Admission Requirements

All students must be in good academic standing and must obtain approval from the Geography Academic Advisor in order to be enrolled in the geographic information science (GIScience) minor. Students may apply for admission to the minor program at any time.

Program Requirements

The GIScience minor requires 25 units total, and consists of the following courses:

Lower Division Requirements

Students must complete one of

GEOG 100 - Our World: Introducing Human Geography (3)

A geographical introduction to how humans shape our world, with attention also given to how it shapes us. Themes may include: culture, economic activities, environmental change, globalization, politics, population, resources, and urbanization. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Leanne Roderick
Online
GEOG 111 - Earth Systems (3)

An introduction to landforms, climates, soils and vegetation; their origins, distributions, interrelationships and roles in the ecosystem. Laboratory work and field trips are included. Breadth-Science.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Andrew Perkins
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D110 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D111 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D112 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D113 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D114 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Students complete a total of six units from the following

GEOG 251 - Quantitative Geography (3)

An introduction to basic quantitative techniques for the collection of geographic data. Topics include describing data, gathering samples, theoretical distributions, linking samples and populations, testing significance, and exploring spatial relationships all within practical, real-world application contexts. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Shivanand Balram
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GEOG 253 - Introduction to Remote Sensing (3)

An introduction to the theories and practices of remote sensing, including sensors and platforms, image collection, preliminary image analysis and interpretation, and a review of remote sensing applications in environmental monitoring and resource management. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

GEOG 255 - Geographical Information Science I (3)

A basic overview of Geographical Information Systems and Science; GIS software, hardware, data structures and models; spatial data, operations and algorithms; practical applications and limitations. Students with credit for GEOG 354 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Shivanand Balram
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum of 16 units from the list below.

GEOG 351 - Multimedia Cartography (4)

Elements of cartographic analysis, design and visualization, with an emphasis on digital mapping, animation techniques, cartographic software and internet mapping. Prerequisite: GEOG 255. Quantitative.

GEOG 352 - Spatial Analysis (4)

Advanced quantitative techniques for spatial analysis of geographic data and patterns. Topics include geostatistics, spatial interpolation, autocorrelation, kriging, and their use in geographic problem solving with spatial analysis software. Prerequisite: GEOG 251 or one of STAT 201, 203 (formerly 103), 205, or 270. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Suzana Dragicevic
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GEOG 353 - Advanced Remote Sensing (4)

Advanced remote sensing principles and data processing techniques, including image correction and enhancement, advanced image analysis and information extraction, land cover classification and change detection, and integration of remote sensing and GIS. Prerequisite: GEOG 253. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Bing Lu
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GEOG 355 - Geographical Information Science II (4)

An examination of technical components of GIS. Topics include spatial representations, generalization and data management; computational algebra and set theory; digital surfaces and terrain models. Prerequisite: GEOG 255. Quantitative.

GEOG 356 - 3D GIScience (4)

Introduction to 3D spatial data, 3D analysis, and 3D visualization for spatial problems. Students will gain skills in 3D aspects of GIScience concepts; data generation and use; analysis and simulation; visualization and its use for interpretation and communication. Prerequisite: GEOG 255.

GEOG 451 - Spatial Modeling (4)

Spatial models for the representation and simulation of physical, human and environmental processes. GIS and spatial analysis software are used in the laboratory for model development, from problem definition and solution to visualization. Prerequisite: GEOG 251 or one of STAT 201, 203 (formerly 103), 205, or 270; one of GEOG 351, 352, 353, 355 or 356. Quantitative.

GEOG 453 - Theoretical and Applied Remote Sensing (4)

Students will work in teams on real-world remote sensing projects in their area of interest. Each team will complete the project independently from literature review to project presentation. Cutting-edge remote sensing technologies and research that are related to the projects will also be introduced. Prerequisite: GEOG 353. Recommended: One of GEOG 351, 352, 355 or 356. Students with credit for GEOG 453W may not repeat this course for further credit. Quantitative.

GEOG 455W - Theoretical and Applied GIS (4)

A critical examination of advanced topics in GIS, such as: boundary definition, expert systems and artificial intelligence, error and uncertainty, and scale in a digital context. Examines social applications and the roles of GIS in society. Students will design original projects, including data acquisition, analysis, and web site development. Prerequisite: GEOG 355. Students with credit for GEOG 452 or GEOG 455 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Nadine Schuurman
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
GEOG 457 - Geovisualization Interfaces (4)

The concepts, theories, and technology behind interactive and immersive interface technologies used for geospatial visualization. Applications and implications for GIScience and spatial knowledge acquisition. Combines GIScience, spatial cognition, and virtual environments/interface research perspectives. Prerequisite: GEOG 356. Students with credit for GEOG 457 (STT) Geospatial Virtual Environments in fall 2005 or fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.