The MS in Information Systems & Technology with a concentration in GIS Solutions Development uses industry-oriented, design-centric curriculum to teach you GIS applications being used to solve real-world issues around the world.
The concentration in GIS Solutions Development prepares you for a successful career creating transformative GIS solutions for a range of corporations, institutions, and organizations. Rather than simply using these applications, you will be taught the skills to design them: spatial analysis, geodatabase design, and the creation of intelligent map applications. You’ll undertake collaborative, hands-on research with distinguished faculty-scholars and active practitioners in the field, scholarship that will prepare you to become an innovator in the field of GIS technology.
Program Highlights
Designated inaugural Esri Development Center (EDC)
Located 30 miles from Esri Headquarters (Redlands, California) and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (near Pasadena, California)
Established Advanced GIS Lab, aimed at stimulating student initiated GIS analysis, research, and solutions through corporate partnerships
Hands-on practicum projects in transdisciplinary labs, including:
Humanitarian Trends
SafeRoadMaps
Annually hosts GIS Day to engage students across different disciplines in the various applications of geospatial data
This program is STEM designated, allowing international students who hold F-1 visas to apply for OPT work authorizations for a total of 36 months (an initial 1-year period and a 24-month OPT STEM extension) of paid work experience in the U.S. after graduation.
Program At a Glance
UNITS
36 units
ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME*
Full-time: 1–1.5 years
Part-time: 1.5–3 years
*Actual completion times will vary and may be higher, depending on full- or part-time course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.
COURSES BEGIN
Fall | Spring
DEGREE AWARDED
MS in Information Systems & Technology
Featured Courses
IST 370
Introduction to GIS Analytics and Solution Development
Provides an overview of the theoretical foundations and the applied use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the principles, and fundamental concepts.
IST 371
Introduction to GIS Solution Development
Introduces the design and development of basic GIS applications and systems in which you demonstrate your mastery of basic GIS solution development practices.
IST 372
Advanced GIS Analytics & Solution Development
Focuses on advanced GIS analysis and the development of advanced GIS solutions and builds advanced analytic and technical skills to meet organizational and end-user needs.
IST 373
GIS Practicum
Provides an opportunity to design, develop, and implement a GIS-based solution or apply an analytic technique to a research-based or industry- or organization-defined problem
IST 374
Advanced GIS Practicum
Examines a number of the enabling technologies and application domains that are driving changes in the collection, management, analysis, and visualization of geospatial data.
IST 375
Drones, UAVs & Satellites
Students collect and process various types of imagery captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and perform analysis in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using DigitalGlobe and Terra Bella.
Capstone Project
Your GIS capstone course enables you to apply the knowledge you have learned in the program in a hands-on, project-oriented environment—professional experience critical for entering the GIS field. Capstone projects are supported and encouraged by CISAT faculty members, who connect students with industry partners offering internship opportunities.
Partnerships
The Center for Information Systems and Technology (CISAT) at CGU participates in industry and academic partnerships designed to create internships, collaborations, practicum courses, and other opportunities. These include:
Esri
Claremont Graduate University’s comprehensive partnership with Esri, the world’s leading supplier of geographic information system (GIS) software, offers numerous benefits, including:
Scholarships for Esri employees
The Esri Development Center enables CGU students and faculty to teach and develop state-of-the-art applications in the university’s Advanced GIS Lab
GIS training and student recognition through an Esri-sponsored annual achievement award
Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance
CISAT is also a Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance Member, which gives our students and researchers access to the latest technologies for use in classroom assignments and projects.
IBM Watson Analytics Academic Program
To ensure students work with leading data analytics technologies, CISAT is part of the Watson Analytics Academic Program (WAP), which provides no-cost use of IBM® Watson Analytics software for classroom teaching and research.
Faculty & Research
Samir Chatterjee
Fletcher Jones Chair of Technology Design & Management
Research Interests
Design science research, Health informatics, Electronics and telecommunication engineering
Associate Professor of Information Systems & Technology
Research Interests
Data science, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Health Informatics, Mobile Health, Data Management, Data warehousing, Business intelligence, ICT4D
