Community

All the different ways you can get involved with the GIS community at UMass and beyond.

How to Connect

Programs at UMass

A number of programs across UMass Amherst offer classes in GIS and geospatial applications. Check SPIRE for the current course listings and contact information for instructors.

Geosciences

Faculty in Geosciences teach several courses each year in GIS, ranging from introductory-level classes to more practical applications. These courses are offered as part of the the Geosciences undergraduate certificate and the MS Geography – GIST.

The Geosciences computer labs are accessible to members of the Geosciences, Geography, and Environmental Conservation programs and students enrolled in courses offered by these programs.

Environmental Conservation

Faculty in Environmental Conservation offer several graduate-level GIS courses each term, designed specifically for students in this program but open for enrollment to students across campus.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers an introductory course on GIS that is specifically designed for engineering students in each of its four programs. The UMass Transportation Center, based in the College of Engineering, also has a heavy GIS focus and is an excellent resource for Engineering students.

The College of Engineering maintains several labs across campus that are accessible to members of the college and students enrolled in classes offered by its faculty.

Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning

Faculty in Regional Planning currently offer 1-2 courses per year on GIS, designed specifically for students in this program but open for enrollment to students across campus.

The LARP computer lab is accessible only to members of the department and students enrolled in courses offered by the department. Digital Media TAs offer appointments for tutoring sessions in GIS (plus much more!). Click here for more information.

Other Programs of Interest

Data Analytics and Computational Social Science Program
The UMass Amherst Data Analytics and Computational Social Science program will be launched in Fall 2020, offering courses for undergraduates and an MS and graduate certificate. Students can expect to learn about fields closely related to GIS, include spatial statistics and data visualization.

UMassAir
UMassAir is a collaboration between faculty, scientists, students, and professional at UMass Amherst and beyond who are using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to conduct research and teaching activities.

VR/AR Working Group
The VR/AR (Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality) Working Group is made up of UMass faculty and students, plus entrepreneurs and corporate partners, who are working together to advance 3D data systems in the wider region. The group hosts monthly meetings featuring talks and demos, and they run an active listserv.

Student Funding Opportunities

Programs, grants, and fellowships geared toward students in the field of GIST (typical annual deadlines in parentheses). This section is still in development. If you find a great funding opportunity, please let Becky know (rseifried@umass.edu) and we will update the page!

Fellowships

Society of Woman Geographers Pruitt Dissertation Fellowships (Feb. 1)
Society of Woman Geographers Pruitt Minority Fellowships (Feb. 1)

Research/Training Programs

Stanford’s Summer Undergraduate Research in Geoscience and Engineering Program (late January)

Scholarships and Awards

ASPRS Student Scholarships (mid-November)