Program News

Recently Approved!

The computer science department has recently been given permission to offer a concentration in GIS in the computer science major.  This new addition to the GIS program establishes UMW as the clear leader in the field of GIS education within Virginia.

The GIS concentration combines the foundations of Computer Science with Geospatial Information Systems. This program is designed to address the growing demand for GIS-trained personnel with advanced computing skills to address the need for customized desktop and web based applications related to business, Geo-spatial intelligence, education, health care, and numerous other employment fields.  The field encompasses integrated hardware, software, and database systems that are capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographical information.

Students who complete this program are well poised to pursue an advanced degree.  This track would be excellent preparation for the fifth year MS in GIS that Geography is proposing.  Additionally, on the undergraduate level, students who complete this program may choose to complete the GIS Certificate by completing one additional course. Upon completion of the certificate, students may be eligible to apply for an additional professional certification in GIS administrated by the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI).

Received a letter from us lately?

If you received a letter from us and you would like to follow up with some questions please drop by Dr Rizzo’s office, or send him an email with any question you may have.

Dr. Rizzo
GIS Program Director and Associate Professor
Department of Geography
Monroe Hall (321)
540-654-1386

Certificate News

Registration of certificate classes for the spring 2012 semester is now in progress.  The application is on line and can be found at http://www.umw.edu/cas/gisc/apply/default.php.

Students eligible to complete the capstone requirement (GISc491 or GISC 499), are required to contact Dr. Rizzo if you have not already done so.  Please remember that the capstone is to be taken in the final semester of the certificate and students must indicate their intention to register for the capstone sometime during the previous semester.  Internship sponsorship continues to include prominent employers in the region from Richmond to Washington D.C.  Matching skill sets to the needs of a sponsor will benefit both the student and the sponsoring agency.  In order to insure the best match between student and employer it is important to know who will be registering as far in advance as possible.

2012 GIS Spring course offerings

Current students can obtain more information here: https://ssb8.umw.edu/prod/umw_clas.p_displayopen.  Please check for courses on both campuses!

New students interested in the certificate can contact Dr. Brian Rizzo for more information and enlightenment.  The Introductory course requirement for the certificate can be satisfied through one of the following courses offered in the semester.

GISC 200, GEOG 250

GISC Capstone courses – GISC 491,499                                   

GISC 491 and GISC 499 serve as the capstone for the GIS certificate.  Students must complete one of these to complete the requirements of the certificate.  Registration for these courses requires paperwork that must be initiated and completed by the student.  Each of these courses requires a minimum of 3 credits.  The internship can be extended to account for 6 credits under special circumstances.

GISC 491 – Independent study

To register for this course students must make an appointment to see Dr. Rizzo.  He will provide the necessary form, explain how the form should be filled out and discuss the objectives and requirements of the course.  Once the form is completed, students must return the form to the registrars.

GISC 499 – Internship

To register for the internship students must obtain a form Dr Rizzo, in Geography or from the Sarah Monroe from Career services.  GIS internships are unique in that the majority of the positions are identified by Dr. Rizzo.  As a result it is important that you inform Dr. Rizzo as early as possible of your intention to enroll.  Dr. Rizzo will then work with you to place you in a position best suited to your capabilities.  If you have identified an internship on your own, please contact Dr. Rizzo and inform him of the opportunity.

Paid internships and scholarship opportunities

There are opportunities for students to apply for paid internships and be considered for GIS related scholarships.

Below are some opportunities that certificate students should seriously consider.

From the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA):

Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship for Service Program

This scholarship for service program was established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.  Participants are afforded an opportunity to receive a full scholarship, stipend for living expenses, and employment in the Federal Government upon degree completion.

Additional information about this program as well as application instructions can be found here: http://smart.asee.org/

For incoming freshmen – Stokes Scholarship Program

Each year, as part of this highly competitive program, a small number of high-achieving college sophomores interested in a career with NGA will be offered tuition assistance to accredited colleges or universities, provided challenging summer work, and guaranteed a position in their field of study upon graduation.  Minorities, women, the disabled, and those needing financial assistance to complete their undergraduate education are strongly encouraged to apply.

Students accepted into this program will attend classes full-time during the academic year, and work at NGA during the summer in positions related to their course of study.

Program Benefits Students accepted into this program receive:

1. Tuition and required fees (limited to $18,000 per year) toward a four-year degree program at an accredited college or university selected by the student and endorsed by the agency
2. An annual salary (paid bi-weekly) to cover room and board and other personal expenses
3. Full-time employment in a job related to their academic major during summer vacation while in college
4. Full benefits including health insurance, life insurance, and retirement
5. A position at NGA after graduation appropriate to their skills and abilities

Eligibility Criteria

1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
2. Baccalaureate degree programs should be focused toward the following academic programs deemed critical to NGA, such as:  foreign area studies, computer science, international relations, political science, chemistry, physics, biology, microbiology, pharmacology, toxicology, engineering, or intelligence analysis related courses
3. U.S. citizenship of applicant (please be aware that security clearances cannot be granted to applicants who hold dual citizenship)
4. Financial need as demonstrated by the household income ceiling of $70,000 for a family of four and $80,000 for a family of five or more
5. Additional requirements may include written assessment exercises and interviews telephonically or in person

Application Procedures

Applications will only be accepted for students who are in, or about to enter, the first semester of their freshman year of college.  Please visit

www.nga.mil/NGAJobs/SpecialEmployment/Pages/default.aspx

for complete program details and application instructions.

The Library of Congress

Junior Fellows Intern Program

The Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Intern program (10 weeks) provides a competitive selection of undergraduate and graduate students’ insights into the environment, culture, and collections of the world’s largest and most comprehensive repository of human knowledge.  For more information and the application please visit

http://www.loc.gov/hr/jrfellows/about.html

Interested in a Masters in Geographic information Science?

The University of Mary Washington is now examining options that could lead to the development of a Masters in GIS.

The program now under consideration would require an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and applicants must have at least 2 university level GIS courses or 2-3 years of GIS experience in order to be eligible.  Courses would be offered in the evenings, four (4) courses per semester starting in the fall of each year. A final project, to be completed mid way through the summer following the spring semester would serve as a capstone for the degree.  Preference for admission into the program will be given to full-time students who will complete the program in one (1) year.  Part-time students will have the flexibility to complete the program in two (2) to four (4) years depending on their course load.  Undergraduate students who have maintained a GPA of 3.5 may also enroll in the program in their junior year.  The fifth year masters will then require students to remain in the program following graduation to complete their masters in GIS.

If you are interested in such a program be offered at UMW we would like to hear from you. Please send your comments/suggestions to: Dr. Brian Rizzo Director, GIS Program Rizzo@umw.edu