Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
An interdisciplinary program sponsored by three departments in CAFES: BioResource and Agricultural Engineering, Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, and Horticulture and Crop Science. New technologies of geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and orthophotography (uniform scale aerial photographs) are revolutionizing the management of natural resources. There are great employment opportunities for those who understand these technologies. Students interested in this minor may come from the following majors: forestry and natural resources, crop science, soil science, landscape architecture, agricultural systems management, bioresource and agricultural engineering, animal science or earth sciences. Students from any major are welcome to take this minor.
Program Learning Objectives
- Explain fundamental concepts and practices of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Understand the means in which data is collected and measured for use in a GIS. This includes land survey data and remotely sensed data.
- Compare interdisciplinary applications of Geospatial Information Science and Technology.
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, advanced concepts in remote sensing and geographic information systems.
- Demonstrate competence in conducting an unfamiliar analysis using GIS, troubleshoot problems in GIS, and seek help from software/website help menus and the GIS community to solve problems.
Minor Requirements and Curriculum
The minor must be completed prior to, or at the same time as, the requirements for the bachelor's degree. A major and a minor may not be taken in the same degree program, and a minor is not required for a degree. Requirements for the minor include:
- At least half of the units must be from upper-division courses (3000-4000 level).
- At least half of the units must be taken at Cal Poly (in residence).
- No more than one-third of the units will be taken with credit-no credit grading (CR/NC), not counting courses with mandatory CR/NC. Departments may further limit CR/NC grading if desired.
- A minimum 2.0 GPA is required in all units counted for completion of the minor.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| BRAE 1239 | Engineering Surveying | 3 |
| BRAE 3345 | Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing with GIS Applications | 3 |
| or GEOG 3328 | Applications in Remote Sensing and GIS | |
| LA/NR 2218 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3 |
| NR 4418 | Applied Geographic Information System | 2-3 |
| or GEOG 4441 | Advanced Applications in Geospatial Technologies | |
| Emphasis Areas | ||
| Select one of the following emphasis areas: 1 | 12 | |
| Environmental Information | ||
| Advanced Surveying with GIS Applications | ||
| Agroecology | ||
or NR 3305 | Forest and Fire Ecology | |
or NR 3306 | Natural Resource Ecology and Habitat Management | |
| Environmental Impact Analysis and Management | ||
or CRP 3336 | Introduction to Environmental Planning | |
| Spatial Data Analysis and Environmental Mapping | ||
| Precision Agriculture | ||
| Advanced Surveying with GIS Applications | ||
| Precision Farming | ||
| Advanced Weed Management | ||
| Crop Physiology | ||
| Integrated Pest Management for Insects | ||
| Total Units | 23 | |
- 1
Additional prerequisites may be needed to complete this requirement.