Geographic Information Science
WKU's Geographic Information Science faculty are nationally-certified to meet today's GIS industry standards in education, contribution, profession, and ethics. We provide students with the training to become productive users of GIS technology and strive to position WKU to play a constructive role in helping local and regional organizations to plan for a positive future.
What is GIS?
A Geographic Information System (GIS) combines very sophisticated computer technology
and trained people to develop digital models of the world around us. These models
of the world can help us to understand and plan for the future of communities and
regions more effectively. A GIS includes capabilities for digital data creation, the
storage and retrieval of digital data, the manipulation and analysis of those data,
and the presentation of data using maps, graphs, tables, and other displays.
Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is the scientific discipline studying the theory and concepts providing a base for the effective use of all GISystems. GIScience also studies data structures and methods for capturing, modeling, processing, and analyzing geographic information and the science behind geographic information.
GISystems addresses the “what” and “where” and GIScience addresses the "how." GIScience is the foundation for effective GISystems use and how it plays a role in society.
In-State Tuition
for Border States
Full-time, first-time freshmen who are residents of any state that borders Kentucky can attend WKU for the in-state tuition rate. This scholarship will lower the tuition cost by nearly 60% for most students, and students can still stack on other institutional scholarships to further reduce cost.
Eligible states include Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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