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GIS at McMaster

Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is the scientific discipline that studies data structures and computational techniques to capture, process, analyze and represent geographic information. The core of GIScience is GIS or Geographical Information Systems. A GIS consists of a suite of tools that can be used to turn geographic data into actionable intelligence which can be used to solve real-world problems. GIS takes numbers and relates them to geographic space to provide unique insight into data. For complex issues, such as food insecurity and poverty, biodiversity loss, water quality and quantity, natural hazards, climate change, deforestation, energy demand, mineral exploration and human health, geographic data and GIS applications can lead to a better understanding of multiple, related factors and better solutions to these critical issues. GIS is used in most sectors of the economy, from banking and insurance to urban and environmental planning to environmental and earth science. For instance, all levels of government and all FORTUNE 500 companies use GIS to help them plan and succeed.

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The School’s designation as an Esri Canada Centre of Excellence for GIS, and its focus on creating new software tools, and web/mobile applications using spatial data provide our students with valuable skills to better understand the world around them. With two dedicated GIS laboratories supported by a GIS Specialist, students gain hands-on experience that can help meet the requirements for professional certification offered by the GIS Certification Institute.

image of GIS map generated at McMaster University SGESFor more information on GIS, acquiring copies of ArcGIS, or available training at McMaster, contact:

Patrick DeLuca
Burke Science Building, Room 331A
School of Earth, Environment & Society
Phone: (905)525-9140 ext. 27786
Fax: (905) 546-0463
Email: delucapf@mcmaster.ca

Mailing Address:
GIS Laboratory
School of Earth, Environment & Society
General Science Building, Room 206
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1