Company Profile
USC Dornsife Spatial Sciences Institute
Company Overview
The Spatial Sciences Institute is the hub of spatial thinking and analysis at the University of Southern California. The Institute provides, through the lingua franca of spatial analysis, the critical infrastructure for transformative, collaborative, and cross-disciplinary research, weaving together several of the research clusters at USC and establishing a leadership role worldwide. Much of our current work focuses on the meaning of place, the role of maps, and the various ways in which the science and practice of geodesign can be used to design spatial policies, practices, and technologies that promote placemaking, sustainability, and human well-being. Through our unique Spatial Studies minor, B.S. in GeoDesign, and online Geographic Information Science and Technology, GeoHealth, Geospatial Intelligence, and Geospatial Leadership Graduate Programs we develop the next generation of spatial thinkers, empowering them with capabilities to tackle and solve real-world issues.
Company History
In the past decade, Geographic Information Science (GIS) has grown exponentially. GIS are in use throughout the world and the demand for professionals trained in their use is expanding in the United States, Canada, much of Europe and parts of Asia. Currently, the number of people with expertise in GIS cannot possibly meet the surge coming from government, non-profits and the private marketplace. Recognizing this demand, USC Dornsife established the USC GIS Research Laboratory in 1996. It was designed to support the research needs of USC faculty and the GIS needs of graduate students. In 1998, USC Dornsife developed an online graduate certificate program in GIS as a collaborative enterprise with the UNIGIS International Network (www.unigis.net).
The USC Dornsife GIST graduate certificate was one of the first online GIS graduate programs in the country. Today it remains one of the few online programs directly linked to an active GIS research enterprise. The recently-launched USC Master of Science degree meets the needs of today's researchers and professionals, equipping them with the fundamental science and skills to cope with increasing data complexity and more sophisticated applications.