I. Basic Information of the Major

Major Code:070504

Major Name (Chinese): Geographic Information Science

Major Name (English): Geographic Information Science

Length of Study: The standard length of study is 4 years, with a flexible range of 3-6 years.

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science

Professional Advantages and Characteristics: This major was established against the backdrop of strong theoretical research in fields such as atmospheric science and satellite remote sensing, and the high demand for geographic information system talents in society. It is one of the universities that first offered this major in China and is a distinctive major in Sichuan Province. By actively adopting international advanced educational philosophies and drawing on the CDIO international engineering education model, this major promotes integrated educational reforms. Guided by multi-level engineering projects, it continuously updates talent cultivation concepts and models, strengthens the cultivation of engineering practical abilities, and fosters students' systematic thinking and geographic information system engineering capabilities.

II. Training Objectives

To cultivate applied senior technical talents who meet the needs of social development and the demand for geographic information technology talents in the western region, possess basic knowledge of geography, master the fundamental knowledge and skills of geographic information systems, receive rigorous scientific thinking training and excellent professional skills training, have engineering capabilities in the conception, design, development, implementation, and operation of geographic information systems, and possess good team collaboration and communication skills. These talents should be able to use geographic information system technology for spatial data collection, management, storage, analysis, modeling, and visualization to solve practical problems. Graduates can work in units and enterprises related to geographic information in fields such as land resources, meteorological environment, transportation planning, and surveying and mapping, engaging in applied research, design and development, production management, and administrative management related to geographic information systems.

Expected Graduates Five Years After Graduation:

Possess basic theories, methods, and skills in related fields of geographic information science, as well as relevant natural science knowledge. Master specialized knowledge and skills in spatial data management and analysis or GIS software development.

In the engineering applications of the geographic information industry, be able to utilize geographic information science and 3S technology to design appropriate solutions, demonstrate innovative thinking, and analyze and research complex engineering problems based on scientific principles.

In professional work related to the geographic information industry, exhibit excellent social responsibility, professional ethics, environmental awareness, good communication skills, and interpersonal abilities. Possess the skills of a geographic information data collection, processing, and analysis engineer, a GIS system development engineer, or a surveying and mapping engineer, and grow into a technical leader or senior management personnel in the organization.

Have a correct worldview, outlook on life, and values; possess good moral cultivation and a high sense of social responsibility; be able to think independently, learn autonomously, and sustain personal development to serve the country and society.

III. Graduation Requirements

Students in this major primarily study courses such as physical geography, cartography, principles of geographic information systems, principles and applications of remote sensing, surveying, principles and applications of GNSS, digital image processing of remote sensing, spatial data collection and management, GIS spatial analysis, and GIS application development. They receive basic training in practical aspects such as spatial data collection, editing, spatial analysis, remote sensing data interpretation, and GIS system development, enabling them to engage in specialized technical work such as the design, implementation, organization, and management of geographic information system projects.

Graduates should acquire the following basic knowledge and abilities:

Engineering Knowledge:Possess basic abilities in spatial analysis methods and application software of geographic information systems, remote sensing image processing and geographic information extraction, principles and applications of satellite navigation and positioning systems, spatial analysis and modeling, and GIS development. Be able to apply natural science and engineering science to solve complex engineering problems related to geographic location.

 Problem Analysis: Have a broad academic vision and understand the frontiers, application prospects, and latest developments of geographic information science. Be able to apply natural science and 3S technology to analyze and research complex problems related to information collection, analysis, processing, and decision support in geography. Obtain effective conclusions through literature retrieval and data inquiry analysis.

Design/Development of Solutions:Be able to design, implement, organize, and manage projects for geographic information system engineering issues. Develop innovative geographic information engineering design plans that consider factors such as humanity, society, safety, law, and the environment.

Scientific Research:Master the specific applications of geographic information technology in various industries. Be able to conduct research based on geographical principles and using geographical scientific methods and geographic information engineering technologies, including spatial analysis and geostatistical methods, to obtain reliable conclusions.

Use of Modern Tools:Proficiently utilize geographic information systems, remote sensing professional software platforms, and geographic big data computing platforms to collect, edit, analyze, and create thematic maps of geographic information data. Be able to use GIS modeling tools for spatial analysis and modeling, such as site selection, to conduct predictions and simulations for complex spatial problems and interpret the phenomena.

Engineering and Society:Be able to complete the design and development of specialized geographic information engineering projects. Be able to reasonably analyze and evaluate the impact of engineering design plans and solutions on society, safety, law, health, and culture based on knowledge of the relevant background of geographic information engineering, and understand the responsibilities that should be undertaken.

Sustainable Development:Be able to understand and evaluate the impact of geographic information engineering practices on environmental and social sustainability, and apply geographic information scientific methods to serve regional sustainable development.

Professional Ethics:Possess humanities and social science literacy and a sense of social responsibility. Be able to understand and abide by professional ethics and norms in the practice of geographic information engineering and related disciplines, and fulfill responsibilities.

Individual and Team:Possess good communication skills and interpersonal abilities. Be able to collaborate well with others in interdisciplinary teams in the field of geography and play one's own role.

Communication:Be able to effectively communicate and exchange with industry peers and the public on complex applications of geographic information processing, extraction, management, and analysis. Have a certain international perspective and cross-cultural inclusiveness.

Project Management:Understand and master the principles of geographic information engineering management and economic decision-making methods, and be able to apply them in a multidisciplinary environment to effectively manage engineering projects.

Lifelong Learning:Master basic methods for data inquiry and literature retrieval; be able to proficiently read English technical literature in this field; have certain English writing and communication skills; possess a consciousness of autonomous and lifelong learning, and the ability to continuously learn and adapt to development.