Geographic Information System (GIS)

Geographic Information System (GIS) Degree Specialization 

for Urban Studies and ENSP majors

What is GIS?

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) help us understand social issues with a spatial dimension by visualizing and analyzing spatial data, including where features are (geographic coordinates) and what they are like (attributes). A variety of professions use GIS, such as urban planning, environmental planning, transportation, criminology, public safety, health, human services, education, government, engineering, computer science, and business.

What is the GIS degree specialization?

The GIS degree specialization is for Urban Studies and ENSP majors interested in learning computer-based mapping and spatial data analysis. Students will learn to create maps through hands-on training, computer labs, lectures, and projects. In addition to gaining proficiency in the latest technology and industry-standard software, students will also explore the theory behind spatial analysis, with a particular focus on critical cartography and spatial justice.

To earn the GIS degree specialization, students must earn a grade of C or higher in each of the following three courses (to be completed sequentially):

UPPP 120 Introduction to GIS for Planning and Policy

This introductory course provides students with the skills to interpret, visualize, and communicate spatial information. In addition, we apply a critical cartography lens by analyzing how the stories we tell with maps both reflect and shape power and inequality. Students increase their critical spatial awareness through theoretical readings and case studies, while also gaining practical skills in data manipulation, creation, and visualization through hands-on tutorials. For the final project, students explore local spatial inequalities via digital “story maps” about spatial justice and environmental justice in Orange County.

UPPP 125 Advanced GIS

Picking up where the prerequisite introductory course left off, this advanced course extends students’ technical skills by using geoprocessing to analyze spatial data. At the same time, students take a deeper dive into the theory behind spatial analysis in general and spatial and environmental justice in particular. For the final project, students use open data from the Southern California Association of Government (SCAG) to create an original storymap about sustainability challenges – and potential solutions – in Southern California to enter in SCAG’s annual Student Showcase competition.

UPPP 127 Spatial Analysis Project (GIS Capstone)

As the capstone in the GIS degree specialization, this course guides students through the process of collecting original spatial data to complete an applied, community-engaged research project. Past projects have included:

• Working with UCI Campus Planning & Sustainability to assess and map the campus community’s climate vulnerability and climate resilience

• Working with UCI Emergency Management to develop mapping tools to improve the campus’ response to earthquakes, wildfires, and other disasters

• Partnering with Climate Action Campaign to map climate impacts and the adoption of local climate mitigation and adaptation plans and policies across Southern California

• Supporting residents of Regents Point, a local senior community, in creating visions for sustainable landscaping, transportation, and energy

• Collaborating with the Irvine Campus Housing Authority to track human-wildlife interactions across the campus and develop public outreach tools to inform the campus community about local ecosystems and climate impacts

For more information: https://students.soceco.uci.edu/pages/GIS

See information about the 2024 UPPP StoryMap Challenge

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/87374958998c4dec8e5d7313501b6e94

See information about the 2023 UPPP StoryMap Challenge

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/99804a45905044b2939a8290ed3ce75a