With urban spaces becoming data-rich environments, the goal of this minor is to provide students with the ability to use large-scale data from a variety of sources to understand and address real-world challenges in the urban context. In combining courses that address spatial analysis and mapping, data science, and social sciences, this minor provides the background necessary to investigate data-driven problems in relation to urban scenarios. A capstone project will provide students with the opportunity to address a real-world issue through focused study and applied research under the direction of a faculty member and in collaboration with stakeholders.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
For policies governing all undergraduate programs, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 18
Students should refer to the Admissions & Policies tab for specific policies related to this program.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 303 | Scientific Data Mining | 3 |
| GGS 306 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from each of the three groups below: | 9 | |
| Spatial Analysis and Mapping Group | ||
| Quantitative Methods for Geographical Analysis | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Web-based Geographic Information Systems | ||
| RS: GIS Analysis and Application | ||
| Data Science Group | ||
| Introduction to Computational Social Science | ||
| Introduction to Social Network Analysis (Mason Core) | ||
| Scientific Data and Databases | ||
| Social Science and Policy Group | ||
| Urban Anthropology (Mason Core) | ||
| Issues in Public Policy and Administration (With specific title "Urban Economic Development in the Smart Growth Era") | ||
| The Urban World (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Capstone
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A capstone project will provide students with the opportunity to address a real-world issue through focused study and applied research under the direction of a faculty member and in collaboration with stakeholders. | ||
| Select one capstone course: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Geographic Thought and Methodology | ||
| GGS Internship | ||
| Directed Study and Research | ||
| Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |