IESA

The Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA) promotes environmental education through interdisciplinary instruction and collaborative learning. IESA is designed for inquisitive minds craving to cast a brighter light upon Earth's many mysterious eon-spanning processes. The curriculum directs students to discover and explore new focus areas within geoscience such as environmental-health, -engineering, -education, -urban planning, and community development. During their experience, students will earn work-ready training through internships, community service, and research projects that will carry them confidently forward to fulfilling employment or reputable graduate schools.

Degrees, Minors, and Certificates Offered

IESA also participates in the Academic Common Market, where out-of-state students can qualify for in-state tuition when enrolling in select degree programs. Learn more about the Academic Common Market.

What is Geospatial Technology, GIS, and Geoscience?

Geospatial refers to location-specific data, while the term geospatial technology refers to the modern tools (surveying equipment, drones, sensors, satellites, GIS software) and processes used to contribute to the collection, analysis, and mapping associated with Earth’s resources.

GIS, or geographical information systems, are databases that contain geographic (or spatial) data, along with software tools to manage, analyze, and visualize those data. Examples of GIS data could include aerial photos, elevations, temperatures, and other information associated with a place or area. Such data can be collected in several ways including the use of remote sensing, which allows for the acquisition of information from afar using geospatial technologies.

Geoscience is the study of the earth’s processes, natural resources, and their connections with other things and each other.

What Can You Do With a Career in Environmental and Spatial Analysis?
Geospatial and environmental professionals often work indoors and outdoors to utilize handheld technologies for field data collection and further computer lab analysis. Some technicians fly UAVs (drones) to collect aerial imagery of environmental conditions and then process the imagery alongside their other mapping data. Demand for surveying services is closely tied to construction activity, and job opportunities will vary by geographic region, often depending on local economic conditions. Increasing use of geographic technologies and data will drive employment growth in the careers of surveying, mapping technicians, geographers, environmental engineering, urban planning, and community development.

Careers & Salaries

Most work full time, which is at least 40 hours per week. Individuals can expect both field work and indoor work. When working outside, you may stand for long periods and often walk long distances, sometimes in bad weather.

Survey & Mapping Technicians: median annual wage $46,200 / $22.21 per hour (2021)

Surveyors: median annual wage $65,590 / $31.54 per hour (2022)

Geographers: median annual wage $85,430 / $41.07 per hour (2021)

Cartographers & Photogrammetrists: median annual wage $68,380 / $32.88 per hour (2022)

Hydrologists: median annual wage $84,040 / $40.41 per hour (2022)

Database Administrators: median annual wage $98,860 / $47.53 per hour (2022)

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2021-2022 Edition

Discovering GIS as a Career Choice

Job Resources & Major-Specific Professional Organizations

See Job Announcements on the UNG Job Board

AGET Technician Career Pathways

High School and Technical College Recruitment leads to

Transferred credits from accredited technical college and

High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Transferred credits from accredited technical college leads to

Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas

High School Diploma or GED equivalent also leads to

Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas

Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas

Supplemental Instruction (if needed) also leads to

Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas

Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas with Proposed Land Surveying Certificate (optional) leads to

Georgia Land Surveyor in Training (LSIT) exam

Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas also leads to

Agriculture Technician

Forest and Conservation Technician

Environmental Science Technician

Civil Engineering Technician

Geology Technician

Surveying and Mapping Technician

Information for Dual Enrollment Students
The following IESA sponsored courses are approved for dual enrollment students. These courses satisfy the general core curriculum requirements for any major and in Area F for the Associate of Science Degree in Environmental, Earth and World Studies, and Spatial Science and Engineering for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental and Spatial Analysis. The main benefit of dual enrollment classes provide high school students with both high school credits towards graduation and college credits which can be applied towards a degree to be earned at the University of North Georgia or transferred to another institution of higher learning. For more information about dual enrollment visit the Georgia Futures website or the UNG Advising pages.

ENST 2030: Environmental Studies

ENVE 2221K: Surveying I

ENVE 2222K: Surveying II

GEOG 1111K: Introduction to Physical Geography

GEOG 1112K: Weather and Climate

GEOG 1101: Human Geography

GEOG 1102: World Regional Geography

GEOL 1121K: Physical Geology

GEOL 1122K: Historical Geology

GISC 2011/L: Intro to GIS

To meet with a STEM advisor for assistance in selecting the appropriate courses to meet your academic goals, please email iesa@ung.edu. Learn more about how to apply for dual and joint enrollment.