Geoinformatics (M.S.)
Basic Degree Information/Description
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Geoinformatics offers opportunities for advanced study and research designed to prepare students for leading roles in industry, government, research and/or academic institutions. The educational objective of this program is to produce graduates who are capable of applying geospatial science and technology to solve problems in industry or academia as well as assuming a leadership role in their chosen employment field. This is a multidisciplinary program administered by the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. It encompasses faculty and resources from the College of Sciences, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, College of Engineering and Integrated Design, and the College for Health, Community and Policy, as well as individual faculty from other academic departments.
Why pursue an M.S. in Geoinformatics at UTSA?
The cross-disciplinary nature of the program utilizes spatial data (geographic and/or remote sensing data) to solve real-life problems related to locations and changes in space and time, with wide applications in oil and gas industry, water resources and management, land use and land cover, climate change and cryosphere, archaeology, political science, urban planning and transportation, demography, public health, disaster response and relief effort, geospatial intelligence, and cyber-security.
Big data and cloud computing are the two new aspects of the program’s collaborative research and applications, since geospatial and remote sensing data are big in nature and need advanced technology and methods for data mining, processing, storing, sharing, and distribution.
Degree Requirements:
- The Master of Science degree in Geoinformatics requires the successful completion of a minimum of 32 semester credit hours.
- For a complete list of degree requirements please see the Graduate Catalog.
Admission Prerequisites:
| Required Degree |
Applicants are expected to have completed either a bachelor of science degree, with emphases in geological, biological, physical, environmental, or computational sciences, or a bachelor of arts degree, with emphases in geography, social sciences, humanities, or business. Applicant's evaluations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
| Other Degree Requirements |
Five required background classes or equivalents are: Algebra (MAT 1073), Computer Programming (CS 1073), Physics (PHY 1603 or 1943), Statistics (STA 1053), and World Geography (WRG 1023). |
Application Requirements:
| General University Requirements |
Must meet university wide requirements. |
| Application |
A completed a Graduate School application. |
| Transcripts |
Official transcripts from all institutions attended. All international transcripts must be recorded in English or officially translated to English. |
| Resume or Curriculum Vitae |
Not Required.
|
| Letters of Recommendation |
Two Letters of Recommendation are required from person's familiar with the applicant's academic record. |
| Statement of Purpose |
Personal Statement of Research or Career Interest. |
| Test Scores |
Not Required. |
| Evaluation of Foreign Credentials |
All applicants including non-U.S. citizens (International), U.S. Citizens, and permanent residents who have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions are required to submit official transcripts along with an evaluation of the transcripts from Foreign Credentials Service of America.
- An approved evaluation requires a detailed course-by-course evaluation. Summaries will not be accepted.
- Foreign credential evaluations must be received by the application deadline for your application to be processed.
- Foreign Credentials Service of America in Austin, TX is the only accepted evaluation agency. They can be reached at (512) 459-8429, info@foreigncredentials.org, or online at https://www.foreigncredentials.org/our-services/apply-now/.
- If you need a request form, please visit the FCSA website to access the form here.
|
| International Applicants |
Must meet international graduate student admission requirements
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5.
- TOEFL: Minimum scores of 79 or 60 for Internet or paper versions, respectively.
|
| Other |
None. |
Degree Catalog Link: http://catalog.utsa.edu/graduate/sciences/geologicalsciences/#text
Funding Opportunities:
Financial assistance (teaching and research assistantship) is limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Individual faculty members may have opportunities for research assistantships or research fellowships and should be contacted directly.
