Spatial Sciences Institute
(213) 740-5910
FAX: (213) 740-9687
Email: spatialsciences@dornsife.usc.edu
Director: John P. Wilson, Ph.D.*
Faculty
Professor: John P. Wilson, Ph.D.*
Professor of the Practice of Spatial Science: Karen K. Kemp, Ph.D.
Associate Professor (Research): Travis R. Longcore, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor (Research): Daniel W. Goldberg, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor (Teaching): Jennifer N. Swift, Ph.D.
Lecturers: Yao-Yi Chiang, Ph.D.; Jordan T. Hastings, Ph.D.; Katsuhiko Oda, Ph.D.; Flora Paganelli, Ph.D.; Tarek Rashed, Ph.D.; Darren M. Ruddell, Ph.D; Robert O. Vos, Ph.D.; Daniel N. Warshawsky, Ph.D.
The programs and courses affiliated with the Spatial Sciences Institute explore the various ways in which space is used to acquire, represent, organize, analyze, model and visualize information. They seek to engage students enrolled in a range of academic programs in the natural and social sciences, the humanities and the professional schools.
The undergraduate minor in spatial studies explores how maps and related geospatial techniques may be used to describe, explore and interpret specific places and the natural and human processes.
The M.S. in Geographic Information Science and Technology provides state-of-the-art training in the core geographic information technologies (GIS, GPS and remote sensing, among others) and the underlying scientific principles and concepts that guide their design and use. This is an online program and may be taken by undergraduate students majoring in other disciplines as a progressive master’s degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology incorporates the same online core courses and electives as the master’s degree and may be taken by master’s and doctoral students majoring in other disciplines.
Undergraduate Program
Minor in Spatial Studies
The spatial studies minor requires a minimum of 20 units, consisting of one lower division elective, three required courses and an upper division elective. The minor offers students an opportunity to examine some of the major challenges of the 21st century (climate change, human health and sustainability, urbanization and cultural homogenization, among others) through a spatial lens.
| Required Courses (12 Units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| SSCI 301L | Maps and Spatial Reasoning | 4 |
| SSCI 382L | Principles of Geographic Information Science | 4 |
| SSCI 483L | Spatial Sciences Practicum | 4 |
| Lower Division Electives (4 Units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| AMST 100 | Los Angeles and the American Dream | 4 |
| ANTH 201 | Introduction to Social Anthropology | 4 |
| ANTH 202 | Introduction to Archaeology | 4 |
| ARCH 105L | Fundamentals of Design Communication | 2 |
| ARCH 114 | Architecture: Culture and Community | 2 |
| ARCH 220 | The Architect’s Sketchbook | 2 |
| BISC 102Lx | Humans and Their Environment | 4 |
| BISC 140 | Human Impact on the Ocean Planet | 4 |
| CLAS 212L | Archaeology: Interpreting the Past | 4 |
| GEOL 108L | Crises of a Planet | 4 |
| GEOL 150L | Climate Change | 4 |
| HIST 240 | The History of California | 4 |
| POSC 265 | Environmental Challenges | 4 |
| PPD 245 | The Urban Context for Policy and Planning | 4 |
| SOCI 200 | Introduction to Sociology | 4 |
| SSCI 265L | The Water Planet | 4 |
| Upper Division Electives (4 Units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 481L | GIS for Archaeologists | 4 |
| ARCH 432 | People Places Culture: Architecture of the Public Realm | 4 |
| GEOG 393 | Field Techniques | 4 |
| JOUR 422 | Visual Journalism | 4 |
| PPD 306 | Visual Methods in Policy, Management, Planning and Development | 4 |
| PPD 427L | Geographic Information Systems and Planning Applications | 4 |
| SOCI 314 | Analyzing Social Statistics | 4 |
| SOCI 365 | Visual Sociology of the Urban City and Its Residents | 4 |
Graduate Degrees
Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology
Director: John P. Wilson, Ph.D.
The online M.S. in Geographic Information Science and Technology requires 28 units of graduate work and provides state-of-the-art training in the core geographic information technologies (geographic information systems, global positioning systems and remote sensing, among others) and the underlying scientific principles and concepts that guide their design and use. The individual courses incorporate multiple curricular pathways tailored to the increasingly diverse backgrounds, occupations and applications that rely on geospatial data, analysis and visualization.
Course Requirements
Twenty-eight units of graduate work are required.
| CORE COURSES (16 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| SSCI 581 | Concepts for Spatial Thinking | 4 |
| SSCI 582 | Spatial Databases | 4 |
| SSCI 587 | GPS/GIS Field Techniques | 4 |
| SSCI 594ab | Master’s Thesis | 2-2 |
| ELECTIVES (12 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| SSCI 583 | Spatial Analysis and Modeling | 4 |
| SSCI 585 | Geospatial Technology Project Management | 4 |
| SSCI 586 | GIS Programming and Customization | 4 |
| SSCI 588 | Remote Sensing for GIS | 4 |
| SSCI 589 | Cartography and Visualization | 4 |
| SSCI 591 | Web GIS | 4 |
All electives are chosen in direct consultation with the student’s academic adviser based on background, academic interests, etc.
The courses in this program are open to students living and/or working anywhere, including students at USC’s Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. centers. The master’s program can be completed in two to three years as long as students take one or two courses in each of the fall, spring and summer semesters.
Admission Requirements
Four groups of students are served by this program:
1. New students who wish to apply directly to the geographic information science and technology master’s program.
2. Students currently enrolled in the geographic information science and technology graduate certificate program since this certificate program may serve as a possible “stepping stone” toward the master’s program.
3. Students currently matriculated in a USC master’s or doctoral degree program.
4. USC undergraduate students who want to stay for a fifth year and earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Candidates for admission among the first two groups of students must have: (1) a B.A. or B.S. degree or its international equivalent; (2) a minimum 3.0 GPA (A = 4.0). All course work taken at the undergraduate level is used to calculate the GPA. Exceptions will be made in cases of very high GRE scores or some other compelling evidence of potential to excel in graduate studies (e.g., outstanding letters of recommendation). Preference will be given to candidates with significant professional experience working with geographic information systems and related geospatial technologies.
Application Procedures
Applicants are required to submit the following documents: (1) completed application for admission, which can be found online at usc.edu/admission/graduate; (2) statement of purpose; (3) official transcripts from all schools previously attended; (4) two letters of recommendation; and (5) results of the GRE General Test. International students must submit TOEFL scores and are expected to achieve a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based examination.
The statement of purpose should be uploaded into the online application. This statement should: (1) describe the student’s motivation, field of interest and career goals; and (2) identify potential projects that the student might pursue for the master’s thesis project.
The master’s program utilizes rolling admissions and enrollment based on the standard academic calendar. This means that students may start the program in either the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Those interested in learning more about this program should contact Kate Kelsey, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF B55B, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0374.
Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology
Director: John P. Wilson, Ph.D.
The online Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology requires 16 units of graduate work and provides state-of-the-art training in some of the core geographic information science technologies and the underlying scientific principles and concepts that guide their design and use.
Course Requirements
Sixteen units of graduate work are required.
| CORE COURSES (12 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| SSCI 581 | Concepts for Spatial Thinking | 4 |
| SSCI 582 | Spatial Databases | 4 |
| SSCI 587 | GPS/GIS Field Techniques | 4 |
| ELECTIVES (4 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| SSCI 583 | Spatial Analysis and Modeling | 4 |
| SSCI 585 | Geospatial Technology Project Management | 4 |
| SSCI 586 | GIS Programming and Customization | 4 |
| SSCI 588 | Remote Sensing for GIS | 4 |
| SSCI 589 | Cartography and Visualization | 4 |
| SSCI 591 | Web GIS | 4 |
The courses in this program are open to students living and/or working anywhere, including students at USC’s Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. centers. The certificate program can be completed in one to two years as long as students take one or two courses in each of the fall, spring and summer semesters. The graduate certificate program can serve as a possible “stepping stone” toward the geographic information science and technology master’s degree program.
Admission Requirements
Two groups of students are served by this program:
1. New students who wish to apply directly to the geographic information science and technology graduate certificate program.
2. Students currently matriculated in a USC master’s or doctoral degree program (other than the M.S. in geographic information science and technology).
Candidates for admission among the first group of students must have: (1) a B.A. or B.S. degree or its international equivalent; (2) a minimum 3.0 GPA (A = 4.0) undergraduate GPA. All course work taken at the undergraduate level is used to calculate the GPA. Exceptions will be made in cases of very high GRE scores or some other compelling evidence of potential to excel in graduate studies (e.g., outstanding letters of recommendation). Preference will be given to candidates with significant professional experience working with geographic information systems and related geospatial technologies.
Application Procedures
Applicants are required to submit the following documents: (1) completed application for admission, which can be found online at usc.edu/admission/graduate; (2) statement of purpose; (3) official transcripts from all schools previously attended. International students must submit TOEFL scores and are expected to achieve a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based examination.
The graduate certificate program utilizes rolling admissions and enrollment based on the standard academic calendar. This means that students may start the program in either the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Those interested in learning more about this program should contact Kate Kelsey, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF B55B, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0374.
Sustainable Cities Graduate Certificate
This multidisciplinary certificate program provides USC master’s and doctoral students with a specialization in urban sustainability problems resulting from the growth of cities caused by natural population increase and massive rural-to-urban population flows. See the USC Price School of Public Policy.
Courses of Instruction
Spatial Sciences Institute (SSCI)
The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
SSCI 265Lg The Water Planet (4, Sp) An exploration of earth’s water, ranging from water properties, chemistry, and pollution, to groundwater dynamics, watershed processes, and oceanic-atmospheric circulation. Implications for past and future societies. Lecture and laboratory. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 265L.)
SSCI 301L Maps and Spatial Reasoning (4, Fa) Role of maps and spatial reasoning in the production and use of geographic information for representing and analyzing human and environmental activities and events.
SSCI 382L Principles of Geographic Information Science (4, Sp) The various ways in which geography can be used to acquire, represent, organize, analyze, model and visualize information. Laboratories are organized around ArcGIS software suite. Recommended Preparation: SSCI 301L.
SSCI 483L Spatial Science Practicum (4, Sp) Application of GIS concepts and skills to a local opportunity or problem in a studio setting. May involve site visits, community contact, and presentations. Prerequisite: SSCI 382.
SSCI 490x Directed Research (2-8, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Open only to juniors and seniors.
SSCI 499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Intensive study of selected topics or regions.
SSCI 581 Concepts for Spatial Thinking (4, FaSpSm) The unique characteristics and importance of spatial information as they relate to the evolving science, technology, and applications of Geographic Information Systems. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 581.)
SSCI 582 Spatial Databases (4, FaSpSm) Design, implementation, and interrogation of relational, object-oriented and other types of geospatial databases. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 582.) Recommended preparation: SSCI 581.
SSCI 583 Spatial Analysis and Modeling (4, Fa) Examination of the process of geographic abstraction and modeling in relation to the different data models and spatial analysis operations available in current GIS. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 583.) Recommended preparation: SSCI 581.
SSCI 585 Geospatial Technology Project Management (4, FaSpSm) Concepts, principles, and use of project management tools and the people issues encountered running GIS projects. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 585.) Recommended preparation: SSCI 581.
SSCI 586 GIS Programming and Customization (4, FaSpSm) Design, coding, and implementation of GIS-based software and models with Java and Visual Basic.NET programming languages. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 586.) Recommended preparation: SSCI 581.
SSCI 587 GPS/GIS Field Techniques (4, FaSpSm) Field exploration of methods and problems of data acquisition and integration using GPS/GIS data collection systems at Wrigley Marine Science Center on Santa Catalina Island. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 587.)
SSCI 588 Remote Sensing for GIS (4, FaSpSm) Principles of remote sensing, satellite systems, and role of remote sensing data in GIS applications. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 588.) Recommended preparation: SSCI 581.
SSCI 589 Cartography and Visualization (4, FaSpSm) Principles of visual perception, spatial cognition and cartographic design and their contributions to the maps, animations, virtual reality and multimedia displays produced with modern GIS. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 589.) Recommended preparation: SSCI 581.
SSCI 590 Directed Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the master’s degree in cognate fields. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
SSCI 591 Web GIS (4, FaSpSm) Design, implementation, and technological building blocks (including GML) for distributed web-based services. (Duplicates credit in the former GEOG 591.) Recommended preparation: SSCI 581.
SSCI 594abz Master’s Thesis (2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded CR/NC.
SSCI 599 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Seminar in selected topics in the spatial sciences.