Preparing Students for the Future Workforce in Geospatial Science and Analysis
The UMBC GIS Program isn’t just moving in tide with the rise of Generative AI from the sidelines —we’ve stepped right into the mix! We’ve systematically built GenAI into the curriculum with intention: not as a mish-mash of approaches in the courses. We have integrated learning the use of GenAI systematically across the courses that demonstrate it as a tool with real consequences, power, and value to make you competitive in the modern workforce. We know it’s not all upside, which is why our approach is sharp, ethical, and grounded transparency, critical thinking, and the ability to tell fact from fiction in the responses. Our students don’t just use GenAI to do assignments, they understand it, question it, and know when and when not to trust it.
In the video below, the Graduate and Assistant Graduate Directors unpack why GenAI belongs in a GIS program, how we use it, and what it means for the next generation of GIS professionals: Beyond the Code AI, Ethics, and the Future of GIS Professionals.
Why GenAI in GIS?
GenAI is transforming how work is done across industries, and GIS is no exception. Rather than resist this shift, our program embraces GenAI as a tool for amplifying student learning, speeding up foundational tasks, and enhancing creativity—whether in coding, spatial analysis, or research design. But we don’t stop there. Our students are taught how to critically assess AI-generated content, make it their own, and understand the social and environmental implications of their work.
A Unique, Ethical Approach
In our technical courses like GES 666: Just Maps and GES 687: Advanced Applications in GIS, students use GenAI to jumpstart code writing —but they’re graded on their ability to refine, analyze, and explain the logic. In analytical classes like GES 774: Statistics for Geographers, GenAI is used to explore diverse solution paths, not to shortcut deep understanding. Each assignment is carefully designed to require students to contextualize their work within real-world data and subject matter —something no AI can fake.
Teaching Context, Not Just Tools
Our interdisciplinary program draws students from a wide range of backgrounds. GenAI helps bridge knowledge gaps by offering fast access to context and background information, supporting students in connecting their GIS analyses to broader societal and environmental questions.
Workforce-Ready Graduates
UMBC’s GIS Program follows a workforce development model that prioritizes applied learning. Students leave our program with more than technical skills—they learn ethics, communication, and adaptive problem solving. They build transparent project portfolios on GitHub, showcase their ability to use GenAI responsibly, and enter the job market prepared to lead in a tech-driven world.
As Assistant Program Director Ron Wilson puts it:
“GenAI doesn’t replace students—it enhances their ability to produce more impactful work. Our job is to teach them how to wield that power with skill, judgment, and integrity.”
This forward-thinking integration of GenAI positions UMBC GIS students to stand out —ready not just to meet the demands of today’s workforce, but to shape the future of it.