Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis
The Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA) promotes environmental and geospatial interdisciplinary education with advanced technology and collaborative learning. By choosing the B.S. degree with focus area, a minor, an associate degree pathway, or certificate program, students find the flexibility to follow their passions, while earning valuable, work-ready training through internships, community service, and research projects. IESA participates in the Academic Common Market where students from outside the state of Georgia can enroll in certain degree programs and qualify for in-state tuition. Learn more about the Academic Common Market.
Associate Degree(s) in Core Curriculum with pathway courses
The campus designation code indicates that the degree can be completed on that campus or online, as indicated.
*Degree requires visits to multiple campuses and/or online courses.

Bachelor’s Degrees may be started on any campus and can only be completed in Dahlonega or Gainesville (coded below).
Bachelor's Degree Title | Catalog | Campus | Colleges or Academic Units |
---|---|---|---|
Environmental Spatial Analysis (B.S.) | G | Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis |
The campus designation code indicates that the degree can be completed on that campus or online, as indicated.
*Degree requires visits to multiple campuses and/or online courses.

Graduate programs at UNG have different admission requirements, application deadlines and tuition rates. Select a program name or its catalog listing to learn more about UNG’s graduate offerings. Contact Graduate Admissions if you have questions regarding the application process.
Program Name | Catalog | Campus | Colleges or Academic Units |
---|---|---|---|
Geospatial Science and Technology Graduate Certificate | G | Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis | |
Geomatics Graduate Certificate |
G
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Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis |
The campus designation code indicates that the degree can be completed on that campus or online, as indicated.
*Degree requires visits to multiple campuses and/or online courses.

Graduate programs at UNG have different admission requirements, application deadlines and tuition rates. Select a program name or its catalog listing to learn more about UNG’s graduate offerings. Contact Graduate Admissions if you have questions regarding the application process.
The campus designation code indicates that the degree can be completed on that campus or online, as indicated.
*Degree requires visits to multiple campuses and/or online courses.

The campus designation code indicates that the degree can be completed on that campus or online, as indicated.
*Degree requires visits to multiple campuses and/or online courses.

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Admissions Information
Information for Dual Enrollment Students
The following IESA sponsored courses are approved for dual enrollment students in 2018. These courses satisfy the general core curriculum requirements for any major and in Area F for the Associate of Science Degrees in Geography and Geology and in 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 Geography or Geology course to meet your academic goals, please email iesa@ung.edu.
IESA Internship
Goals of Internship
The credit-bearing internship provides students an opportunity to work in an off-campus internship for academic credit. Students are expected to obtain valuable experience by applying their knowledge and skills in geospatial technologies in the real-world work environment.
Steps of Registration
- The student needs to get an off-campus internship (paid or unpaid). The internship has to be at least 10-hour per week.
- The student needs to complete Internship Learning Agreement form. The completed form has to be signed by the student, the internship site supervisor and the IESA faculty internship advisor.
- After the paperwork is done, the student should register the course “GISC4983: Internship in GIS” for 1-3 credit hours.
IESA Internship Advisor/Coordinator
Yu Sun, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis
University of North Georgia
Office: Science Bldg. 253
Email: yu.sun@ung.edu
Phone: 678-717-3806
What can you do with a career in environmental and spatial analysis?
Most GIS and environmental professionals 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. Handheld technologies are used in the field; data analysis is completed in the computer lab. Some technicians fly UAVs (drones) to collect aerial imagery of environmental conditions and then process the imagery with 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.
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
- Fundamentals of Geospatial Technology Certificate (optional) and
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent also leads to
- Fundamentals of Geospatial Technology Certificate (optional) and
- Proposed A.S. degree: Geospatial Engineering and Technology with Directed Emphasis Areas
- Fundamentals of Geospatial Technology Certificate (optional) leads to
- 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
- Fundamentals of Geospatial Technology Certificate (optional) leads to
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 per year $43,340 / $20.84 per hour (2017)
Surveyors: median annual wage per year $61,140 / $29.40 per hour (2017)
Geographers: median annual wage per year $76,860 / $36.95 per hour (2017)
Cartographers & Photogrammetrists: median annual wage per year $63,990 / $30.76 per hour (2017)
Hydrologists: median annual wage per year $79,990 / $38.46 per hour (2017)
Database Administrators: median annual wage per year $87,020 / $41.84 per hour (2017)
Explore Student Clubs
GeoScience Association
Location
Gainesville Campus
Meetings
Meets every two weeks on Mondays at 12:00 p.m.
Advisors
- Dr. Katayoun Mobasher
- Dr. Jerry Allison
- Dr. Chris Seminack
Engineering Club
Location
Gainesville Campus
Meetings
Meets approximately every two weeks at 12:00 p.m. on Fridays.
Advisors
- Dr. Jeff Turk
- Dr. Redahegn Sileshi
Geospatial Alliance Club
Location
Gainesville Campus
Meetings
Meets every two weeks on Mondays at 12:00 p.m.
Advisors
- Dr. Amber Ignatius
- Dr. Jamie Mitchem
- Dr. Yu Sun
Student Chapter of the
American Institute for Professional Geologists
Advisor
Dr. Katayoun Mobasher
Environmental Club
Location
Oconee Campus
Advisor
- E. Njeri Marekia-Cleaveland, J.D.
Support IESA Today
The UNG Foundation has established a scholarship fund (#8062) specifically for students enrolled in IESA academic programs. Please consider giving the gift of educational excellence to a bright and talented future GIS expert.
- Visit the UNG donation page
- Select a donation amount
- For Designation, select "Other"
- In the box that appears, type "IESA" or "#8062"
Thank you for your support!