Bachelor of Science (Geographic Information Science) and Bachelor of Arts (Communication) (University at Buffalo)

The following qualifications are accepted:  

• Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level) 
• Polytechnic Diploma 
• SIM Diploma 
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Most recent 3 years of high school grade of ‘B’ equivalent to IB score 4.5. IB Diploma holders can expect up to 30 credit exemptions with a minimum of 30 total scores. 
• SIM Management Foundation Studies (MFS) or its equivalent  
• Qualifications equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.  Average grade of ‘B’ or better. 

Students with Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level), Polytechnic Diploma and SIM Diploma may be considered for admission with advanced standing credits.

Note: Advanced standing and transfer credits granted are subjected to final approval by UB. UB reserves the right to change credit articulations at any time.

Equivalent International Qualifications

View admission criteria of international students on course website

English Language Requirements

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with at least 10 years primary and secondary education in Singapore in an English-medium government school, and completed their GCE ‘O’ level with a grade ‘C’ (6 or better) in the English Language, are exempted from the English Language proficiency requirement.

International students’ requirements

All other applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English in one of the following ways. Only scores from tests taken within 2 years prior to the time of enrolment are acceptable.

English Language qualification and Minimum Scores

• Paper-based TOEFL: 550
• Internet-based TOEFL (IBT): 79
• IELTS: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 55
• SAT 1 ERWS: 550
• ACT (English and reading sections): 20
• International Baccalaureate (IB) – Diploma Higher Level English A1 or A2 or A: 4

Graduates have gone on to graduate schools for further studies.

• Career prospects:
• Cartographer
• Climatologist
• Computer analyst
• Ecologist
• Environmental scientist/manager
• Geomorphologist
• GIS specialist
• Health care
• Market research analyst
• Meteorologist
• Natural resource manager
• Researcher
• Urban and transportation planner
• Public relations consultants and advertising agencies
• Mass media
• Corporate communication & marketing communication
• Civil and social agencies
• Other professions

Structure

• Blended Learning. Activities, consultations, discussions, exercises, lectures, online learning and presentations.
• Each lesson consists of 1.5 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of consultation.
• To ensure parity in standards, rigors of the program, integrity of the UB degree, more than 50% of modules are taught by US /overseas visiting faculty, covering the full semester throughout the entire program. The rest of the modules are taught by qualified local faculty with the experience and academic expertise approved by UB.
• Average teacher-student ratio = 1:46.
• Minimum class size to commence: 25 students. Students will be informed at least one month prior to course commencement if class cannot commence due to low take up rate.

Assessment & Attendance

• The normal module load for students is 12 to 15 credit hours a semester.
• Students may register for modules and make changes to their class schedule. Students who choose to drop or resign from any modules, are on official leave of absence or have to repeat any failed modules, may take more than three years to complete their studies.
• Continuous assessment comprises tests, quizzes, assignments, projects, presentations, participations and activities scheduled throughout the semester.
• The final exam is held in the 2 - 3 weeks after the semester ends.
• Students progress through each semester till they satisfactorily complete the conferral requirements.
• Attendance requirement:
• • Local students – Minimum attendance requirement as stipulated by UB or 75%, whichever is higher.
  • International students – Minimum attendance requirement is 90% as mandated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA).

Modules

Total credits required for degree: 150

• Credits Required for Geographic Information Science Major: 44
• Credits Required for Communication Major: 61
• Credits Required for UB Curriculum: 25
• Credits Required for Free Electives: 20  

Prerequisite Modules for Geographic Information Science

• Any two Geography modules 

Required Modules for Geographic Information Science

• GEO 101 Earth Systems Science I (3 credits)
• GEO 103 Global Economic Geographies (3 credits)
• GEO 120 Maps: Earth from Above (3 credits)
• GEO 211 Univariate Statistics in Geography (4 credits)
• GEO 381 Cartography (4 credits)
• GEO 411 Multivariate Statistics in Geography (3 credits)
• GEO 481 Geographic Information Systems (4 credits)
• CSE 115 Introduction to Computer Science I (4 credits)
• MTH 121 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I (4 credits)

Two GIS electives from:

• GEO 475 GIS Data Science Project Management (3 credits)
• GEO 479 GIS and Environmental Modeling (4 credits)
• GEO 482 Locational Analysis (3 credits)
• GEO 483 Remote Sensing (4 credits)
• GEO 485 Cartography and Geographic Visualization (3 credits)
• GEO 488 GIS Design (4 credits)
• GEO 493 Dynamic Modeling of Human and Environmental Systems (3 credits)

Additional 300/400 GEO elective(s) to meet the 37 GEO credits requirement (6 credits)

Prerequisite Modules for Communication

• COM 101 Principles of Communication (3 credits)
• COM 217 Communication in Organizations (3 credits)
• COM 225 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
• COM 240 Introduction to Mass Communication (3 credits)
• COM 337 Communication Theory (3 credits)
• CSE 115 Introduction to Computer Science I (4 credits)
• SOC 294 Basic Statistics for Social Sciences (4 credits)

Required Modules for Communication

• LIN 207 Language, Society and The Individual (3 credits)
• COM 205 Research Methods (3 credits) or
• SOC 293 Social Research Methods (3 credits)
• COM 300 Written Communication (3 credits)
• PSY 101 Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 331 Social Psychology (3 credits) or
• PSY 333 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 credits) or
• PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology (3 credits) or
• PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind (3 credits) or
• SOC 371 Individual And Society (3 credits)
• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
• 8 Communication Electives (24 credits)
• – at least seven courses (21 credits) must be 300/400 level.

UB Curriculum

• UB Seminar (3 credits)
•  Foundations (21 credits)
  • Communication Literacy I (4 credits) 
  • Communication Literacy II (3 credits) 
  • Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning (4 credits) 
  • Scientific Literacy and Inquiry (7 credits)1 
  • Diversity in the United States (3 credits) 
• Pathways (18 – 19 credits)
  • Thematic Pathways (9 credits) 
  • Global Pathways (9 – 10 credits)
• UBC 399 UB Curriculum Capstone (1 credit) 

Free Electives

• 19 credits

Minors

• Communication Minor
• Economics Minor
• Geography Minor
• Management Minor
• Marketing Minor
• Psychology Minor
• Sociology Minor