Kent State University Geographic Information Science Blog

Scott Sheridan, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Geography and professor in the online Geographic Information Science (GISc) programs was recently appointed to the inaugural cohort of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Leadership Academy and Network for Diversity and Inclusion in the Geosciences (LANDInG).

He Yin, Ph.D., assistant professor in Kent State University’s Department of Geography in the College of Arts and Sciences, recently received NASA’s New (Early Career) Investigator Award in Earth Science. The award will provide funding for Yin’s research on the effects of the Syrian civil war on croplands throughout the eastern Mediterranean region.

The global market for GIS was $8.1 billion in 2020 and has a projected growth of $14.5 billion by 2025. There’s no better time to get involved in this red-hot field by arming yourself with the education and credentials necessary to compete for the most lucrative, in-demand and rewarding jobs.

Geographical information science (GISc) is a fascinating and diverse discipline, expanding rapidly into nearly every industry across the globe. If you're detail-oriented and enjoy working with statistics, mathematics and powerful computer technologies, earning an online certificate in GISc will significantly boost your career opportunities as a GIS professional.

Acronyms can be confusing, especially when two abbreviations relate to the same field. An example is geographic information systems (GIS) and geographic information science (GISc). Although both acronyms are rooted in the science of geography, the roles of GIS and GISc differ.

To maximize your career potential in Geographic Information Science and possibly increase your salary, you could pursue a couple of different paths. In this post, we’ll explore the different GISc certificate programs available and what you could do with a GISc Certificate.

GIS technology empowers geographic information scientists to better understand and help resolve many of the complex environmental and logistical challenges of our time. Keep reading to learn more about GIS and GISc, the many benefits of an online graduate-level program and which schools offer the top online GIS programs in the US.

Geographic information science (GISc) is a field of study that covers a range of socio-political, geographical and informational disciplines. It involves the use of various technologies for recording and analyzing spatial and geographic data in a useful and easily-accessible manner.

The term “geographic information science” (GISc) might be unfamiliar or seem a little obscure, but it’s actually a rapidly growing profession with careers in high demand. From software development and law enforcement to climate scientists and urban planners, GISc is an important field of study.

From global climate change to regional virus outbreaks, geographic information systems (GIS) are used to analyze and answer an entire spectrum of issues associated with geographic space. The researchers and analysts addressing these issues typically have academic degrees in Geographic Information Science (GISc)...

You’re tech-savvy and fascinated by geography, but is there a career in that? Consider this, from the geographic information system company Esri...

Whether you thrive in the sunshine or the snow, near water or mountains, in big cities or under big sky, we have good news for you: there are geographic information science jobs all over the country. As you envision your career and wonder where to find GIS jobs, explore several of the places...

Geography Professor Scott Sheridan has been named a recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Research and Scholarship Award (ORSA). Sponsored by the University Research Council and the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs, this award honors Kent State’s exceptional researchers and scholars. Recipi...

When you tune in to a local weather forecast or reach your destination with the help of a GPS device, you’re reaping the benefits of geographic information system (GIS) remote sensing technology. GIS was first applied in the 1960s to collect and analyze data regarding land usage. Today, there are...

If you're researching either geographic information systems or geographic information science, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish one from the other. Although geographic information science is often confused with geographic information systems, and the two terms are closely related, they...

Predicting the spread of disease and mapping out epidemics is garnering vital attention in the medical field. There is increased awareness that a number of forces, such as the ability to travel across the world in under 24 hours, high population density in many regions, and increased contact between humans and animals, all make human populations vulnerable to epidemics. In fact, epidemiologists caution that events such as the transmission of MERS, SARS and 2019-nCoV likely are not isolated incidents, but part of a growing trend.

Geographic information science (GISc) is a broadly applicable degree that can be used in many fields around the world, including healthcare, climatology, urban development, national parks and more.1 Working in GISc could take you to places as different as a laboratory or the deep wilderness. For...

Geographical information systems (GIS) are the backbone for geographical science and all its related fields. Modern geography uses sophisticated, highly specialized technology to gather, analyze and report on data about positions on Earth's surface. GIS data can provide important information r...

If you want to understand the world around you — literally — there is no better way than by studying geographical science. This field uses technology to answer important questions about our world: Why are different places the way they are? What is the relationship between people and where they liv...

The growing field of geographic information systems (GIS) has opened up a range of career possibilities for people who are fascinated with data and who want a fulfilling career that addresses pressing real-world problems, and this includes GIS analysts. As the name indicates, GIS is the use of information...

The geographic information science (GISc) field is a diverse and rapidly growing industry in which some roles are projected to grow by 14% by 2026,1 which makes the role of a GISc technician all the more vital. As we watch natural disasters unfold and the effects of human interference take shape...

Geographic information science (GISc) has numerous applications in fields ranging from emergency response and agriculture to finance and real estate, and with GISc jobs set to increase by 14% by 2026,1 a master’s in GISc and a solid understanding of how to apply geographic information systems (G...

Although various fields of science may differ in how they use the word, a "biome" can generally be defined as a geographically large ecosystem with a shared physical climate. Earth’s biomes can be classified broadly into two overarching categories, terrestrial and aquatic. These are further divide...

Human activity has had an effect on the environment for thousands of years, from the time of our very earliest ancestors. Since Homo sapiens first walked the earth, we have been modifying the environment around us through agriculture, travel and eventually through urbanization and commercial netwo...

There’s an old adage nearly everyone’s heard: “Work a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” As true as this sentiment may be, the facts about employment suggest that a majority of people are not working jobs they love. In fact, far from it.

In the modern world, media is saturated with images of natural disasters and their impacts on human health and infrastructure. And while the most memorable images for many are of the damages done by hurricane...

Click on the image below to explore all of the aspects of a GIS career with our new infographic. Read up on the job market, education requirements and salary expectations for a GIScience professional.

We're all familiar with oceanic tides, which cycle roughly every 12 1/2 hours based on the relative positions of the earth and the moon. Some places have greater ranges than others, based on the local configura...

A pair of Kent State University geographers have teamed up to secure two research grants totaling more than $550,000 for separate projects to study climate change and weather patterns. Geography Professor and Chair Scott Sheridan, Ph.D., will lead a pr...

We typically view language as evolving at a glacial pace. Yet, consider the fact that the Merriam-Webster Dictionary added more than 1,000 new words in February 2017—and more than 2,000 in April 2016. So, what’s driving the meteoric evolution of language? It’s simple: innovation. It’s the biggest driver of change, affecting how we speak and act every day.

We typically view language as evolving at a glacial pace. Yet, consider the fact that the Merriam-Webster Dictionary added more than 1,000 new words in February 2017—and more than 2,000 in April 2016.1 So, what’s driving the meteoric evolution of languag...

A definition. For all practical purposes, it’s the concise explanation of an element or experience. However, the true value of a definition extends far beyond this. What it also provides is the foundation for further knowledge—and this is cri...

Geography professors at Kent State University see Hurricane Harvey's unusual rainfall and the flooding in its aftermath as an opportunity to teach their students about meteorology, the health hazards left behind and the people whose lives have been changed forever. And now, with the Category 5 Hur...

Every profession has a lexicon, turns of phrase that are unique to its processes and techniques. The world of geographic information science (GISc) is no exception. In fact, due to the amount of nuanced technology and innovation that p...

The world of geographic information science (GISc) is filled with unique acronyms, phrases and definitions. Because of this wide range of terminology for tools, technologies and techniques used in the field, a glossary of important terms is as v...

As history marches forward, certain technologies are inevitably left behind in favor of what’s most beneficial to society in the moment or in the future. While leaving behind what’s no longer beneficial is important to technology and innovation, it...

Data has transformed the way we live. There is so much information available to us these days that we can use it to make pinpoint and informed decisions that go beyond educated guesses or hunches. Data can be leveraged in almost any area of life and industry. Thomas Cuyler, a high school senior at S...

Racial segregation in the United States of America can be a sensitive or controversial subject that many people prefer not to discuss. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted to prevent discrimination based on race, skin color or national origin, and since that time, it might be taken for granted t...

Interested in earning a Master of Geographic Information Science? Learn more about how you can help to advance your career and specialize in coursework focusing on: Cyber GISc, Environmental GISc and Health & GISc. Learn more about our program options.