Geography-Anthropology, Specialization in Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geospatial Analysis Specialization, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography-Anthropology fuses Geography’s and Anthropology’s common interests in both applied field work and in the relationship between human populations and their environments, both natural and built. The combined program explores global issues through community engagement. Students learn the methodologies and “ways of knowing” of each discipline and integrate them in an interdisciplinary framework to foster their appreciation of their humanistic and scientific responsibilities as global citizens.

Our long history of and strong commitment to environmental and social knowledge, applied learning, and experiential education positions our students well for internships, graduate programs, and the workforce. Undergraduates are involved in our community-engaged teaching and research activities. The major is an interdisciplinary degree program. Students enrolled in the major may specialize in one of three tracks:

Sustainable Cultures and Communities
Cultural and Natural Heritage Management
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geospatial Analysis
Upon graduation, students find employment in fields that involve archaeology work, cultural resource management, historic preservation, heritage and conservation management, museum, curation and archival work, education, environmental and land use management, community development work, non-profit advocacy, city and regional public service, tourism and recreation, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) related careers in federal, state, local government, and private sector industries.

We focus on developing strong analytical, writing, oral and technical skills and prepare our students to enter the workforce or for future graduate work. Courses emphasize both conceptual and applied learning. Students engage in case studies, community-engaged and client-based projects, and intensive field and lab analysis.

Students have the opportunity to design, develop, research and communicate professional level projects with faculty mentors. As a result of data collection in the field or analysis in our specialized learning laboratories, students also have the opportunity to engage in scholarship through publications and conference presentations, and often receive assistantships and fellowships funded by such organizations as the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Maine Space Grant Consortium.

The program of study beyond the basic requirements should be planned carefully, in close consultation with the student’s program advisor, and should be approved by the latter. Such an arrangement allows for flexibility according to the student’s interests while also providing close guidance and a control of educational quality by the Geography-Anthropology program.

Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) & Geospatial Analysis track is for those interested in developing theoretical and conceptual knowledge, and analytical and technical skills in GIS, remote sensing and geospatial analysis and engaged in workforce fields in federal, state and local government, and private sector industries including construction, engineering, energy, environmental & land use planning, utilities & transportation, real estate development and surveying.