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Satellite image of great lakes (Public domain)

Geography and Geospatial Sciences

Students gather around Darrell Napton, a professor in the Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences.

Geography is an exciting field that recognizes the complex relationships and linkages of human and natural systems; geography is the science of place. As such, geographers study and analyze many of today’s pressing issues, which range from climate change, human modification of the Earth’s systems, environmental hazards, resource assessment and land use to population distributions, urbanization, cultural adaption, political organization of space and globalization. Geographers’ tools, skill sets and techniques, which include computer cartography, remote sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), are recognized increasingly as essential for solving many contemporary questions and are not only being adopted by businesses and governmental agencies but also by wider society. More people are recognizing that geography is fundamental to understanding our world and solving many of the problems that confront us.

Our Programs

Fast Facts

Ratio of Students/Faculty

10.5

Students

1

Faculty

Number of Students

55

Undergraduate

16

Graduate

Department Scholarships Awarded

1 in 3 Students

Majors and Minors

3

Majors

3

Minors

Certificates

2

Job Placement Rate

95% (as of 2019)

Career Development Opportunities -

Geography and Geospatial Sciences News

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Soil monitoring image

SDSU researchers to develop soil moisture mapping capabilities 

A collaborative project from South Dakota State University, South Dakota Mines and Oglala Lakota College will develop novel algorithms needed for soil moisture mapping — an essential tool for helping farmers with their agricultural management decisions.

Geospatial intelligence minor accredited by USGIF

An undergraduate minor in geospatial intelligence offered at South Dakota State University is now accredited by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, joining 22 other universities nationwide with this distinction.

The sky is the limit for the possible uses of drone technology

Students and faculty at South Dakota State University with support from Lake Area Technical College participated in the second annual “Drone Day” on the SDSU campus April 25, learning more about current uses of the technology and potential career paths available across industries and disciplines.