PhD Geoinformatics and Geospatial Analytics

Geoinformatics is a field of study involving the science and technology dealing with the acquisition, storage, processing production, presentation, and dissemination of geoinformation using the theory and practical implications of geodesy within information science infrastructure. The core of geoinformatics is geospatial analytics, a branch of data science that focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies supporting processes of acquiring, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial Big Data. Advances in various location-aware technologies, (e.g., GPS, the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile sensors, remote sensing), and ever-increasing time-stamped, location-based data from sensors as diverse as satellites, drones, and smartphones have created unprecedented demand and opportunities for code-savvy geospatial professionals with the ability to automate processing, visualizing and finding patterns in both structured and unstructured data.

The goal of the Geoinformatics and Geospatial Analytics Ph.D. program is to provide students with in-depth knowledge in geoinformatics and geospatial analytics required for solving today’s grand challenges, e.g., climate change, public health, refugees and migration, transportation safety, and food, water, and human security from local to global scales. The graduates of the Ph.D. program will gain the multi-disciplinary knowledge and quantitative skills necessary to handle big geospatial data and solve big problems.

This is a 45-credit Ph.D. program focused on educating next generation talent with advanced and emerging technologies like machine learning/AI, satellite geodesy, image analysis, and change detection, GIS modeling, photogrammetry, and automation that are critical to develop research skills to address today’s grand societal challenges such as food security, healthcare delivery, national security, and beyond with high impact research.