Geospatial Engineering Focus—Online MS | CEGE

As a master’s student in the Master of Science in Geospatial Engineering emphasis, discover the power of place. Gain in-depth, hands-on knowledge of remote-sensing technologies, which harvest terabytes of data, and the software that makes sense of all that raw information.

Career prospects are excellent, and the US Department of Labor has identified geospatial engineering as a high-growth industry. It has become a vital tool in the fields ranging from petroleum exploration, forestry, and agriculture to intelligence, internet mapping, marketing, and public utilities and infrastructure. This list is almost endless.

Because of the high demand, there’s also a pressing need for even better technologies. With this graduate degree, you will not only be prepared to use existing tools, like LiDAR, GIS, hydrographic mapping, and remote-sensing systems, you will also gain the skills needed to develop the geospatial technologies of the future.

Agencies needing geospatial engineers include the Department of Defense, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Department of Energy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NASA, Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, US Geographic Survey.

Career prospects are excellent and the US Bureau of Labor and statistics has identified geospatial engineering as a high-growth industry.

Geospatial Engineering Degree Option

The Master of Engineering program is designed to represent the diversity within the body of knowledge that comprises the geospatial engineering discipline. The specific set of courses a student takes to meet the requirements of the degree is meant to be flexible to allow a customized program that will satisfy research or professional employment.

Geospatial Engineering Focus–Online

If you would like to pursue an online option to obtain a degree with a geospatial option at Michigan Tech and do not have a BS degree in an engineering discipline, please check out the Master of Engineering Online option.

Curriculum

SU 5010 - Geospatial Concepts, Technologies, and Data

High-level review of geospatial data acquisition systems, sensors and associated processing technologies. Course considers geospatial metadata generation principles, interoperability, and major tools for manipulation with geospatial data. Course may help in transition of non-geospatial majors to geospatial field.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Integrated Geospatial Tech, Surveying Engineering, Geospatial Engineering

SU 5011 - Cadastre and Land Information Systems

Topics include: an introduction to land rights, land ownership, lease, and traditional rights, mortgaging and land as capital, description of land rights, boundary description, land information systems, examples of cadastre types over the globe, and modern technical aspects.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-1)
Semesters Offered: Fall

SU 5012 - Geospatial Data Mining and Crowdsourcing

This course comprises theory and applications of geospatial data mining. Typical application scenarios are covered. Attention is given to open-source data and systems crowdsourcing, as well as social media. Special focus on imaging and visual analytics.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-1)
Semesters Offered: Spring

SU 5013 - Hydrographic Mapping and Surveying

This course comprises theory and applications of hydrographic mapping technologies. Typical application scenarios are covered. An intensive lab component provides hands-on experience in hydrographic data processing and visualization.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-1)
Semesters Offered: Spring

SU 5020 - Surveying Computations and Adjustments

Basic computations and analysis of surveying measurements by adjustment theory are introduced. Students will gain the ability to use computer software to perform the computations Analysis of measurements and errors based on statistical principles and least squares principles will be discussed.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

SU 5021 - Geodetic Models

Course provides solid geospatial background in geodetic reference frames: datums; geoids; and reference ellipsoids. 2D and 3D geodetic network adjustments are considered based on 3D spherical models.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 5020(C)

SU 5022 - Geodetic Positioning

Introduces the theory and practice of global positioning systems, primarily global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Examines data collection, quality assessment, analysis and adjustment.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 5020

SU 5023 - Geospatial Positioning

High-level summary of GPS-GAP courses. This course is intended for interdisciplinary graduate students who seek just ONE combination course in adjustments, geodesy and GPS (with emphasis on GPS/GNSS). Not available to students who have taken SU5020, SU5021, SU5022.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

SU 5060 - Geodesy

Introduction to geometrical and physical geodesy. Examines computations on the ellipsoid, elements of datums, map projections, and state plane coordinate systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-1)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

SU 5140 - Photogrammetry & UAV Mapping

Basic principles of photogrammetry and its role as a technology for spatial data collection. Use of photogrammetry in the fields of surveying, engineering, and geographic information management will be discussed.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

SU 5142 - 3D Surveying and Modeling with Laser Scanner Data

Theory and application of terrestrial LIDAR scanning. Typical application scenarios are also included. Intensive lab component provides hands-on experience in LIDAR point cloud processing and visualization.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

SU 5300 - Geospatial Monitoring of Engineering Structures and Geodynamic Processes

Course comprises methods and applications of geospatial monitoring technologies. Typical application scenarios are presented in this course. Course has a number of labs which allow students to get a hands-on experience in processing and modeling monitoring data.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Integrated Geospatial Tech, Surveying Engineering, Geospatial Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 2000 or SU 2050

SU 5541 - Close-range Photogrammetry

The main topics that will be covered are: math fundamentals; imaging technology; the photogrammetric process; image acquisition planning; interior orientation; bundle block adjustment; 3D plotting; orthoprojection; image-matching techniques; and close range photogrammetry applications.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 4140

SU 5640 - Introduction to Remote Sensing

Introduction to the principles of image formation, electromagnetic spectrum, imaging systems, photo interpretation and image classification using image analysis software.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-1)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

For MSCE, you must also complete CEE 5730 Probabilistic Analysis and Reliability or CEE 5760 Optimization Methods.

Semesters offered for courses below refer to on-campus courses. Check Online Courses and Registration for available online courses for upcoming semesters. Online courses may be scheduled differently than their on-campus counterparts.