AbstractEvolution of an Online GIScience M.S. Degree Curriculum Track: Designing GIS Curriculum for Higher Education Author(s): Patricia Drews Northwest Missouri State University’s online M.S. degree program in geographic information science admitted its first students for the fall 2003 semester. During the program’s first three years, the curriculum consisted of 10 courses required of all students, plus a thesis. A fixed set of courses for all students was necessary because the entire online curriculum had to be developed within a two-year period, allowing no time for development of additional elective courses. Based on student feedback and program maturation, the curriculum is evolving to consist of a group of core courses and electives. This presentation describes this evolution of the curriculum, the reasons behind it, the selection of the courses that comprise the core subjects required of all students, and the institutional support necessary to implement the expanded curriculum. Patricia Drews Northwest Missouri State University Dept. of Geology/Geography 800 University Dr. Maryville, MO 64468 US Phone: 660-562-1273 Fax: 660-562-1055 E-mail: drews@mail.nwmissouri.edu |