Community

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

How to Connect

GIS Day Events

Each November, schools and organizations around the world celebrate GIS Day. Check out the past GIS Day events held here at UMass Amherst:

Massachusetts GIS Day 2024
Massachusetts GIS Day 2023
Massachusetts GIS Day 2021
Massachusetts GIS Day 2020

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.

Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences

Faculty in Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences 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 GIST undergraduate certificate and the Master’s in Geography – GIST.

The Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences computer labs are also accessible to members of the 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.

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.

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.