IESA master's offers spatial data skills

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) newest master's degree is preparing students to be leaders in analyzing spatial data. Housed within the Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis, the Master of Science in spatial data and information sciences launches this fall. The application deadline is Aug. 1. 

Spatial data scientists analyze the location, distance and spatial interactions of data to examine why things happen and why they happen at particular locations. The master's degree is designed to prepare students for careers as spatial statisticians, cartographers and photogrammetrists, computer and information research scientists, surveyors, and geoscientists. 

Spatial data and information science can be applied to any field where data sets and geography intersect. These applications include disaster planning, emergency management, military intelligence, spatial data science and analytics, geodesign, modern and sustainable infrastructure planning, natural resource analysis and management, to mitigating issues associated with extreme weather events.

The program fosters innovative scientists and researchers capable of advancing the frontiers of knowledge in spatial science and technology through cutting-edge theories and technologies, pioneering methodologies, sophisticated numerical analyses, and integrative applications. 

Two recent graduates with IESA's bachelor's degree in environmental spatial analysis are starting the geospatial analytics Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Dr. Jeff Turk, IESA dean and academic advisor, sees the new UNG degree as a way to serve similar students looking to advance their careers.  

"We are seeing some of our graduates moving into this area, and we want to be at the forefront of the spatial data field," Turk said. "We want to understand  what these large data sets can tell  us." 

Emma Vail, a May graduate with a degree in environmental spatial analysis, is one of those who is doing her graduate work at N.C. State. She said she has that opportunity because of the mentorship of IESA faculty, who helped her gain experiences like a summer 2023 internship at the University of Maryland's Research for Intelligence and Security Challenges Initiative. 

"The IESA professors are willing to push you forward, and that will help students in this master's degree program," Vail said.  

Dr. Amber Ignatius, an associate professor of geography and geospatial science in IESA, said the dynamic nature of the field lends itself naturally to UNG's master's program for potential students. 

"The field of geospatial science changes so quickly, and inherent in this career is a need to continue your education," Ignatius said.  

Dr. Katayoun Mobasher, a professor in IESA, said the students who would pursue this master's degree have a mix of skills usually found in information technology professionals and geospatial analysts and researchers. The whole goal of the master's degree is to help students boost their career opportunities. 

"It gives students more tools in cutting-edge technology," Mobasher said. "It makes them more competitive in the job market." 

Dr. Prahlad Jat, an assistant professor in IESA, said students in this degree program will cultivate the ability to analyze intricate scenarios, such as pinpointing optimal locations worldwide for cultivating new crop varieties, which holds immense value for crop breeders. This process entails leveraging a wide array of environmental data factors to drive informed, data-driven decisions.

"Our program accommodates individuals with varying strengths, whether they excel in computer science and seek growth in geographic information science, or vice versa," Jat said. "We are committed to providing comprehensive training across these distinct yet interconnected fields to equip our students for success."