{"id":22082,"date":"2024-08-27T14:16:04","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T18:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/?page_id=22082"},"modified":"2026-04-01T14:08:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T18:08:12","slug":"phd","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd\/","title":{"rendered":"Ph.D. in Geospatial Analytics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What makes the Ph.D. in Geospatial Analytics different?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Collaborative, cross-disciplinary teamwork<\/strong>&nbsp;unites students and faculty from diverse research fields<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guaranteed funding<\/strong>&nbsp;for four years includes a competitive minimum stipend of $30,000, health insurance, and tuition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Professional seminar<\/strong>&nbsp;enhances student success through training in science communication, proposal writing and geospatial data ethics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Travel funding<\/strong>&nbsp;supports student attendance at attend scientific conferences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Program values<\/strong>&nbsp;emphasize student mental health and work\/life balance, open data, and a strong commitment to community and collaboration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/applygrad.ncsu.edu\/apply\/\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n                      >\n                  <span class=\"text\">Apply Now<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-custombg-one-background-color wp-block-ncst-button-spotlight\">\n    <div class=\"button-spotlight__container\">\n          <div class=\"button-spotlight__icon-container ncst-icon\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M16.464 19.9922H3.55697V12.96L1.68994 11.0878V21.9216H18.3315V10.8816L16.464 12.7153V19.9922Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M3.97934 7.08468H15.797L17.6687 5.21765H2.1123L2.65465 5.76L3.97934 7.08468Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M21.9502 2.07843L9.88781 14.1408L3.55687 7.85765L2.04984 6.35999L1.68984 6.71999L0 8.40984L1.68984 10.0847L3.55687 11.9423L9.88781 18.24L16.4639 11.6686L18.3314 9.79687L24 4.12781L21.9502 2.07843Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n      <\/div>\n        <div class='button-spotlight__content-container'>\n      <h2 class=\"button-spotlight__heading\">100% of graduates say they would choose the program again<\/h2>\n            \n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\">\n    &#8220;I appreciate the program&#8217;s interdisciplinary nature and feel I have benefited from bouncing ideas off students from different research domains. CGA goes out of its way to promote a super welcoming and supportive culture.&#8221;<br><br><em>Katie McQuillan &#8217;23<\/em>\n  <\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What kinds of research projects might I work on?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At the Center for Geospatial Analytics, we are dedicated to pushing the frontiers of spatial data science to drive discovery and inform real-world decision-making. Our interdisciplinary approach integrates expertise from diverse fields such as design, natural resources and the environment, computer science, social and behavioral sciences, engineering, and more. You can explore our <a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/our-people\/graduate-students\/\">student directory<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/repository.lib.ncsu.edu\/browse\/discipline?value=Geospatial%20Analytics&amp;bbm.return=5\">Ph.D. student dissertations<\/a> for a glimpse into the innovative research conducted here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year, we seek talented students for <a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd-in-geospatial-analytics\/graduate-assistantships\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"10598\">graduate assistantships<\/a> funded by external grants. Additionally, we admit a select number of students on internal program funding, who are matched with advisors and research projects during their first year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please be aware that not all faculty members are recruiting annually. We recommend focusing your inquiries on faculty with open positions, which will be updated on the assistantships page as funding is confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applications for Fall 2026 are now closed. Information regarding the Fall 2027 admissions cycle will be shared in September. <\/strong>We will post positions on our <a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd-in-geospatial-analytics\/graduate-assistantships\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd-in-geospatial-analytics\/graduate-assistantships\/\">assistantships page<\/a> as funding is confirmed. We ask for your patience due to ongoing disruptions of federal funding. The application deadline is February 1.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-labeled-section wp-block-ncst-featured-content ncst-featured-content is-card-style layout-three-column\">\n  <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__background\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__container\">\n               <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__header\">\n                      <h2 class=\"ncst-labeled-section__heading\">Student research<\/h2>\n                                <a\n              href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/news\/category\/geospatial-analytics-phd\/\"\n              class=\"ncst-labeled-section__link\"\n                                          data-ua-cat=\"Featured Content Block\" data-ua-action=\"Label Link Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/news\/category\/geospatial-analytics-phd\/\"\n            >More From Our Students<\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__content\">\n        \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-featured-content\"><a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/news\/2025\/09\/29\/pollinator-research-takes-to-the-skies-with-nasa-grant\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-24284\"\n            alt=\"\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/09\/gwen-cover-photo-scaled-1.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/09\/gwen-cover-photo-scaled-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/09\/gwen-cover-photo-scaled-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/09\/gwen-cover-photo-scaled-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/09\/gwen-cover-photo-scaled-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Pollinator Research Takes to the Skies with NASA Grant<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">Ph.D. student Gwen Kirschke paired traditional pollinator monitoring methods with aerial imagery captured by the U.S National Science Foundation\u2019s National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Airborne Observation Platform.\u00a0<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/news\/2024\/12\/23\/machine-learning-and-satellite-imagery-could-help-protect-the-worlds-most-important-crops\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-21243\"\n            alt=\"A person walking through a rice field. - Machine learning and satellite imagery could help protect the world&#039;s most important crops - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/02\/feature_image-1500x844-1.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/02\/feature_image-1500x844-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/02\/feature_image-1500x844-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/02\/feature_image-1500x844-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/02\/feature_image-1500x844-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Addressing Food Security Needs in Bangladesh with New Rice Mapping Method<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">Working closely with professionals in Bangladesh, Ph.D. student Varun Tiwari developed research to address an important gap he&#8217;d learned about while an analyst at an international nonprofit.<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/news\/2023\/06\/27\/tool-maps-fire-risk\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-22088\"\n            alt=\"\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/VukomanovicJonesAerial2-1024x576-1.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/VukomanovicJonesAerial2-1024x576-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/VukomanovicJonesAerial2-1024x576-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/VukomanovicJonesAerial2-1024x576-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">New Tool Maps South Florida Fire Risk Pixel by Pixel<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">Center researchers, led by Ph.D student Kate Jones, designed a computer model called FireHydro to allow fire managers to map fire risk in South Florida on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the career possibilities with a Ph.D. in Geospatial Analytics?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p>Our doctoral program prepares students for careers across industry, academia, government agencies, and nonprofit research organizations. Graduates are well-prepared for roles such as Remote Sensing Analyst, Geospatial Modeler, Geospatial Software Engineer and Data Scientist.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"has-custombg-one-text-color wp-block-ncst-fp-icon\">\n      <div class=\"ncst-fact has-custombg-one-text-color\">\n              <span class=\"ncst-icon\">\n          <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M6.96 10.0322H0V24H6.96V10.0322Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M15.5039 5.04004H8.54395V24H15.5039V5.04004Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M17.04 24V0H24V24H17.04ZM21.72 6.51665C21.9476 6.29105 22.0764 5.98437 22.0782 5.66391C22.1037 5.38581 22.0181 5.10891 21.84 4.89375C21.6248 4.68707 21.3606 4.53837 21.0722 4.46156L20.8322 4.36781V3.12047C21.12 3.16828 21.2654 3.50437 21.3122 3.98438H21.9844V2.64H21.36V3.02391C21.2363 2.83638 21.0488 2.7 20.8322 2.64V2.0625H20.4V2.59219C20.3471 2.58711 20.2938 2.58602 20.2407 2.58891C20.09 2.59647 19.9423 2.63367 19.806 2.69837C19.6697 2.76308 19.5475 2.85403 19.4464 2.96601C19.3453 3.07799 19.2673 3.20881 19.2168 3.35098C19.1664 3.49314 19.1444 3.64387 19.1522 3.79453C19.1522 4.41844 19.5839 4.70625 20.1122 4.89844L20.4 4.99219V6.28781C19.9679 6.19219 19.8239 5.76 19.8239 5.32781H19.1522V6.76781H19.7761V6.38391C19.8293 6.49773 19.9096 6.5967 20.0101 6.67208C20.1106 6.74746 20.2281 6.79692 20.3522 6.81609V7.34391H20.7839V6.86391C20.8107 6.86719 20.8374 6.86719 20.8641 6.86719C21.1846 6.86831 21.4924 6.74224 21.72 6.51665ZM20.0157 3.2639C19.9313 3.37506 19.8813 3.50853 19.8718 3.64781C19.8718 3.93609 20.0635 4.08 20.3035 4.2239V3.12C20.2484 3.1235 20.1945 3.13804 20.145 3.16276C20.0956 3.18748 20.0516 3.22187 20.0157 3.2639ZM20.7839 5.18396V6.33615C20.9145 6.3106 21.0309 6.23756 21.1107 6.13115C21.1906 6.02475 21.2281 5.89253 21.2161 5.76005C21.2202 5.62923 21.1796 5.50093 21.101 5.39623C21.0225 5.29153 20.9107 5.21667 20.7839 5.18396Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n        <\/span>\n                              <h2 class=\"fact__heading\">Median Starting Salary: $97,500<\/h2>\n                              <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-accordion\" >\n    <div class=\"accordion isLinked\" id=\"ncst-accordion-a9pfvi\">\n          \n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"a9pfvi\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Ph.D. Alumni Employers<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Arthur J. Gallagher &amp; Co.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clark University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emory University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fresno State University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harvard University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Karen Clark &amp; Company<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NASA Goddard Space Flight Center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.noaa.gov\/\"><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NextEra Analytics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pacific Northwest National Laboratory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Planet Labs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RTI International<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SAS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spectrum Enterprise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stockholm University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Syngenta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>UNC Chapel Hill<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of Nevada Reno<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of Toronto<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service&nbsp;(APHIS)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Virginia Tech<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Washington and Lee University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-custombg-one-background-color wp-block-ncst-button-spotlight\">\n    <div class=\"button-spotlight__container\">\n          <div class=\"button-spotlight__icon-container ncst-icon\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M16.545 1.05794V1.01013H7.35889V1.05794V5.19419H8.8017V2.26029H15.1022V5.19419H16.545V1.05794Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M5.91614 10.0519H4.42505V14.1881H5.91614V10.0519Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M19.5756 10.0519H18.0845V14.1881H19.5756V10.0519Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M0 5.53125V11.7356H3.94406V9.52313H6.34875V11.7356H17.6034V9.52313H20.0081V11.7356H24V5.53125H0Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M20.0081 12.3126V14.5729H17.6034V12.3126H6.34875V14.5729H3.94406V12.3126H0V22.9898H23.9517V12.3126H20.0081Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n      <\/div>\n        <div class='button-spotlight__content-container'>\n      <h2 class=\"button-spotlight__heading\">100% of graduates say the program prepared them for their chosen career<\/h2>\n            \n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\">\n    \u201cI gained experience working with federal agencies and nonprofits on funded projects, teaching, mentoring undergraduate students, serving on CGA committees and interacting with other natural resource practitioners. I feel these experiences will translate well to future research and other opportunities.\u201d<br><br><em>Kate Jones \u201924<\/em>\n  <\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-labeled-section wp-block-ncst-featured-content ncst-featured-content is-card-style layout-three-column\">\n  <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__background\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__container\">\n               <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__header\">\n                      <h2 class=\"ncst-labeled-section__heading\">alumni spotlight<\/h2>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__content\">\n        \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-featured-content\"><a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/news\/2025\/11\/06\/uchenna-osia-shares-insights-from-her-academic-journey\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-24485\"\n            alt=\"Uchenna Osia - Uchenna Osia Shares Insights from Her Academic Journey - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/11\/10172025_OchennaOsia_provided_featured.png\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/11\/10172025_OchennaOsia_provided_featured.png 1500w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/11\/10172025_OchennaOsia_provided_featured-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/11\/10172025_OchennaOsia_provided_featured-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/11\/10172025_OchennaOsia_provided_featured-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Uchenna Osia &#8217;26<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">Osia joined the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory after an impressive list of accomplishments as a PhD student, including the NSF GRFP and a Fulbright grant to teach English.<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/2024\/05\/pack-reflections-laura-tomkins\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-22099\"\n            alt=\"\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/laura-tomkins-graduation-portrait-1500x844-1.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/laura-tomkins-graduation-portrait-1500x844-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/laura-tomkins-graduation-portrait-1500x844-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/laura-tomkins-graduation-portrait-1500x844-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/laura-tomkins-graduation-portrait-1500x844-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Laura Tomkins &#8217;24<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">Tomkins is currently employed as a senior atmospheric scientist at Karen Clark and Company. The company develops software that provides innovative tools for risk management.<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/news\/2023\/12\/06\/spotlight-xiaojie-gao\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-22100\"\n            alt=\"\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/xiaojie-gao-provided-1500x844-1.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/xiaojie-gao-provided-1500x844-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/xiaojie-gao-provided-1500x844-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/xiaojie-gao-provided-1500x844-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/xiaojie-gao-provided-1500x844-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Xiaojie Gao &#8217;23<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">Gao works as a post-doctoral research fellow at Harvard University where he develops remote sensing technologies using artificial intelligence to improve the monitoring of forest dynamics.<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I apply for the Ph.D. in Geospatial Analytics?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Eight to ten fully funded Ph.D. graduate assistantships with $30,000 salary (minimum), benefits and tuition waiver are available each Fall through the Center for Geospatial Analytics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We welcome applications with quantitative and computational backgrounds interested in pushing the boundaries of geospatial analytics and technology from a variety of perspectives, including natural resources and the environment, computer science, engineering, social and behavioral sciences, design and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While securing an advisor prior to admission is not required, we highly encourage applicants to reach out to potential supervisors for <a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd-in-geospatial-analytics\/graduate-assistantships\/\">assistantship positions<\/a> of interest. Please be aware that not all faculty members are recruiting each year, so we recommend focusing your inquiries on those with available positions.<strong> <\/strong>Although faculty may not be able to respond to every inquiry, each application receives careful review, and faculty will reach out to candidates selected for interviews.  We\u2019re grateful for the high level of interest in our program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Competitive applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not fit with one of the listed assistantships,<\/strong> as a select number of students will be admitted on internal program funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also encourage students to explore external funding opportunities, such as the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/funding\/opportunities\/grfp-nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program\">National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemfellowship.org\/gem-fellowship-program\/\">GEM Fellowship Program<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.krellinst.org\/csgf\/\">Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/stemfellowships.org\/applicants\">Graduate Fellowships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Diversity<\/a>, and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ndseg.sysplus.com\/\">National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applications for Fall 2026 are now closed.<\/strong> <strong>Information regarding the Fall 2027 admissions cycle will be shared in September.<\/strong> We will post positions on our <a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd-in-geospatial-analytics\/graduate-assistantships\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd-in-geospatial-analytics\/graduate-assistantships\/\">assistantships page<\/a> as funding is confirmed. The deadline for all applications is February 1; we do not have priority or rolling deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/applygrad.ncsu.edu\/apply\/\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n                      >\n                  <span class=\"text\">Apply Now<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several opportunities for students to receive a stipend above the base rate of $30,000. These fellowships do not require an additional application:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Goodnight Doctoral Fellowship.<\/strong>&nbsp;One to two incoming students with a track record of exceptional achievement in the sciences will earn a stipend of $40,000 per year + all student fees waived for four years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>University Graduate Fellowship.<\/strong>&nbsp;Five incoming students will receive an additional $4,000 in their first year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Graduate Education Enhancement Fellowship.<\/strong>&nbsp;Two incoming students will receive an additional $2,000 in their first year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mansour Doctoral Fellowship.<\/strong>&nbsp;One incoming international student will be nominated to receive an additional $10,000 in their first year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-custombg-one-background-color wp-block-ncst-button-spotlight\">\n    <div class=\"button-spotlight__container\">\n          <div class=\"button-spotlight__icon-container ncst-icon\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M23.4999 8.625C23.096 8.87063 22.7808 9.23836 22.5999 9.675C22.8992 9.86805 23.1688 10.1038 23.4 10.3748C23.5032 10.0205 23.7126 9.70636 24 9.47484L23.4999 8.625Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M6 21.9248H9.15V19.3748C8.03973 19.035 6.98022 18.5474 6 17.925V21.9248Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M14.6499 21.8752H17.7999V17.925C16.8394 18.5715 15.7734 19.0453 14.6499 19.3252V21.8752Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M21.2498 9.87516C21.0981 9.86678 20.9461 9.88357 20.7998 9.92484C20.1 6.27516 16.4498 3.47484 12.0998 3.47484C10.9228 3.46224 9.75349 3.66561 8.64984 4.07484L4.65 2.07516V7.07484C4.04305 7.91117 3.61726 8.86493 3.39984 9.87516H0V14.025H3.9C5.15016 16.9252 8.34984 19.0252 12.15 19.0252C15.9502 19.0252 19.2502 16.875 20.4502 13.8248C20.7185 13.944 21.0067 14.0119 21.3 14.025C21.8429 14.0224 22.3627 13.8056 22.7466 13.4218C23.1305 13.0379 23.3473 12.518 23.3498 11.9752C23.3384 11.4218 23.1134 10.8943 22.722 10.503C22.3307 10.1116 21.8032 9.88665 21.2498 9.87516ZM7.02 10.425H6.99984C6.84159 10.425 6.68689 10.3781 6.5553 10.2902C6.42372 10.2022 6.32116 10.0773 6.2606 9.93105C6.20003 9.78484 6.18419 9.62396 6.21506 9.46874C6.24594 9.31353 6.32214 9.17095 6.43405 9.05905C6.54595 8.94714 6.68853 8.87094 6.84374 8.84006C6.99896 8.80919 7.15984 8.82503 7.30605 8.8856C7.45226 8.94616 7.57723 9.04872 7.66515 9.1803C7.75307 9.31189 7.8 9.46659 7.8 9.62484C7.80136 9.72861 7.78226 9.83163 7.7438 9.92801C7.70533 10.0244 7.64824 10.1122 7.57581 10.1866C7.50337 10.2609 7.417 10.3202 7.32163 10.3611C7.22626 10.402 7.12377 10.4237 7.02 10.425ZM12.6347 14.9602C12.5082 14.9872 12.378 14.9922 12.2498 14.9752V15.525H11.7502V14.925C11.6169 14.8981 11.4905 14.8444 11.3787 14.767C11.2669 14.6896 11.1721 14.5903 11.1 14.475V14.925H10.4002V13.3252H11.1502C11.1502 13.7752 11.3002 14.2748 11.7502 14.3752V12.9248L11.4998 12.825C10.8998 12.5752 10.4498 12.3248 10.4498 11.625C10.4252 11.2917 10.5339 10.9623 10.7521 10.7091C10.9702 10.456 11.28 10.2998 11.6133 10.275C11.6757 10.2703 11.7384 10.2703 11.8008 10.275V9.72516H12.3V10.3252C12.5256 10.3875 12.721 10.5296 12.8498 10.725V10.3748H13.5V11.8748H12.75C12.6998 11.325 12.5498 11.025 12.2002 10.9252V12.2752L12.45 12.375C12.7468 12.4637 13.0202 12.6174 13.2502 12.825C13.4288 13.052 13.5177 13.3368 13.5 13.6252C13.5623 13.9169 13.5061 14.2215 13.3438 14.4719C13.1815 14.7222 12.9265 14.8979 12.6347 14.9602ZM14.55 6.27516C13.7261 5.93394 12.8415 5.76378 11.9498 5.775C11.0583 5.76373 10.1738 5.93389 9.35016 6.27516V5.22516C10.1738 4.88389 11.0583 4.71373 11.9498 4.725C12.8415 4.71378 13.7261 4.88394 14.55 5.22516V6.27516ZM21.3 12.9783C21.2827 12.9783 21.2658 12.9783 21.2484 12.9783C21.0554 12.9755 20.8663 12.9239 20.6986 12.8283C20.8172 12.3028 20.8842 11.767 20.8987 11.2284V10.9781C21.0096 10.9334 21.1296 10.9164 21.2484 10.9284C21.5265 10.9297 21.7929 11.0407 21.9895 11.2373C22.1862 11.434 22.2972 11.7003 22.2984 11.9784C22.2979 12.2428 22.1928 12.4962 22.0059 12.6832C21.8191 12.8703 21.5658 12.9757 21.3014 12.9764L21.3 12.9783Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M12.2498 13.125V14.3752C12.3817 14.3411 12.4982 14.2631 12.58 14.1541C12.6617 14.045 12.704 13.9114 12.6998 13.7752C12.7499 13.3748 12.5498 13.2248 12.2498 13.125Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M11.3 11.475C11.3 11.8252 11.4997 11.9752 11.7997 12.075V10.875C11.6999 10.875 11.6 10.9748 11.4997 11.025C11.384 11.148 11.3136 11.3067 11.3 11.475Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n      <\/div>\n        <div class='button-spotlight__content-container'>\n      <h2 class=\"button-spotlight__heading\">Average Stipend: $37,500<\/h2>\n              <p class=\"button-spotlight__support\">First year stipend for students admitted Fall 2025<\/p>\n            \n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Admission Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our most competitive applicants will have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Quantitative research experience outside of the classroom, beyond basic data collection or data entry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Computational\/quantitative background, including a combination of the following coursework or demonstrated skills: applied statistics and math, quantitative research methods, computer programming (for example, R and\/or Python), use of GIS technologies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prior coursework, background and\/or research interests in the area of geospatial analytics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For international applicants: IBT TOEFL new score scale &#8211; total score of 4 (at least a 4 in each section, 5 in Speaking to be eligible for a TA appointment), IELTS score \u2265 6.5 on each section, Duolingo English \u2265 110 on each section. <strong>We will not consider applicants who do not meet these minimum scores. <\/strong>Scores are not required for citizens of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/grad.ncsu.edu\/students\/rules-and-regulations\/handbook\/english-as-official-language\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">these countries<\/a>&nbsp;or who have completed at least one year of full time study at a U.S. college or university<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporting Documents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Official NC&nbsp;State Graduate School<a href=\"https:\/\/applygrad.ncsu.edu\/apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;application.<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unofficial transcripts<\/strong>&nbsp;from all colleges\/universities attended (official transcripts are only required if admitted to the program).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A personal statement, not to exceed 2 pages.<\/strong>&nbsp;We encourage you to include the following in your personal statement:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your academic and career goals as well as your motivation in pursuing a Ph.D.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Research experiences and accomplishments that would make you a successful Ph.D. student in geospatial analytics, particularly emphasizing computational\/quantitative skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relevant research interests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your specific interest in the Ph.D. in Geospatial Analytics at NC&nbsp;State<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3 letters of recommendation.<\/strong>&nbsp;Submit the names and contact information for your recommenders through the online application, and they will receive an email with instructions for submitting their letters online. Please select recommenders who can speak to your academic and\/or research potential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Curriculum vitae\/resume.<\/strong> We suggest using this <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/grad.illinois.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/pdfs\/cvsamples.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resource<\/a>&nbsp;in developing a CV.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The GRE is not required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have questions about the application process,&nbsp;please contact&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/people\/rachel-kasten\/\">Rachel Kasten<\/a>, Student Services Specialist (rachelkasten@ncsu.edu). Please note that there is a required application fee of $85 for domestic applicants and $95 for international applicants. We do not offer application fee waivers for international students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More information for prospective international students can be&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.ncsu.edu\/graduate\/graduate-handbook\/international-student-admissions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/applygrad.ncsu.edu\/apply\/\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n                      >\n                  <span class=\"text\">Apply Now<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the degree requirements? What courses will I take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ph.D. program consists of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>72 credit hours beyond the Bachelor\u2019s degree<\/strong>.&nbsp; The core required courses comprise 12 credit hours. The remaining 54 credit hours are devoted to an individually tailored selection of electives and research. You can find the requirements and descriptions of the core courses in the <a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.ncsu.edu\/graduate\/natural-resources\/geospatial-analytics\/geospatial-analytics-phd\/\">University Catalog<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>a comprehensive exam.&nbsp;<\/strong>Students will complete both written and oral exams by the end of their fifth semester in order to be admitted to candidacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>a<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>written dissertation<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>final dissertation oral defense<\/strong>&nbsp;required to complete the degree.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Core Courses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>All students are required to take GIS 710 in their first semester, as well as three additional core courses.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-accordion\" >\n    <div class=\"accordion isLinked\" id=\"ncst-accordion-39xvmk\">\n          \n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"39xvmk\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\"><strong>GIS 710<\/strong>: <strong>Geospatial Analytics for Grand Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>Students examine why sustainable solutions to grand societal challenges need geospatial analytics. Emphasis is placed on the roles that location, spatial interaction and multi-scale processes play in scientific discovery and communication. Discussion of seminal and leading-edge approaches to problem-solving is motivated by grand challenges such as controlling the spread of emerging infectious disease, providing access to clean water and creating smart and connected cities. Students also engage in several written and oral presentation activities focused on data science communication skills and professionalization. <em>Required for all students in the first semester.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"39xvmk\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">GIS 712: Environmental Earth Observation and Remote Sensing<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>Advanced understanding of physical principles of remote sensing, image processing and applications from earth observations. Awareness of tradeoffs between earth observing sensors, platforms and analysis techniques will help prepare the students to critically assess remote sensing products and devise solutions to environmental problems. Students will be able to communicate the complexities of image analysis and will be better prepared to integrate earth observations into their areas of expertise. Topics include electromagnetic energy and radiative transfer; US and international orbital and suborbital data acquisition platforms; passive and active imaging and scanning sensors; spatial, spectral, radiometric, and temporal resolutions; geometric corrections and radiometric calibrations; preprocessing of digital remotely sensed data; advanced image analysis including enhancement, enhancement, classification, geophysical variable retrieval, error and sensitivity analysis; data fusion; data assimilation; and integration of remotely&nbsp; sensed data with other data types in a geospatial modeling context.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"39xvmk\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">GIS 713: Geospatial Data Mining and Analysis<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>Spatial data mining is the process of discovering interesting and previously unknown, but potentially useful, patterns from spatial and spatiotemporal data. However, explosive growth in the spatial and spatiotemporal data (~70% of all digital data), and the emergence of geosocial media and location sensing technologies has transformed the field in recent years. This course reviews the current state of the art in spatial, temporal and spatiotemporal data mining and looks at real-world applications ranging from geosocial networks to climate change impacts. Course introduces various spatial and temporal pattern families and teaches how to incorporate spatial relationships and constraints into data mining approaches like clustering, classification, anomalies and colocations.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"39xvmk\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">GIS 714: Geospatial Computation and Simulation<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>Methods, algorithms and tools for geospatial modeling and predicting spatio-temporal dimensions of environmental systems. The course covers the physical, biological, and social processes that drive dynamics of landscape change. Deterministic, stochastic, and multi-agent simulations are explained, with emphasis on coupling empirical and process based models, techniques for model calibration and validation and sensitivity analysis. Applications to real-world problems are explored, such as modeling multi-scale flow and mass transport, spread of wildfire, biological invasions and urbanization.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"39xvmk\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">GIS 715: Geovisualization<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>Principles of visualization design and scripting for geospatial visualization. This course provides a systematic framework of visualization design principles based on the human visual system and explores open-source geospatial data visualization tools. Topics include challenges and techniques for visualizing large multivariate dataset, spatio-temporal data and landscape changes over time. Students have the opportunity to work with broad range of visualization technologies, including frontiers in immersive visualization, tangible interaction with geospatial data and eye tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"39xvmk\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">GIS 790: Geospatial Artificial Intelligence<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>Several decades of research have led to current advances in AI (specifically machine-learning (ML) and deep learning (DL)) which is poised to solve major challenges to human society \u2013 from mitigating climate change to increasing food production, and designing smart cities to optimizing scarce resources \u2013 the problems that are inherently rooted in space and time. This course explores recent advances in artificial intelligence and deep learning as they apply to the analysis of large-scale geospatial and spatiotemporal data. Emphasis will be placed on both theory and practice. Students learn the conceptual underpinnings and principles behind AI techniques and how they can be adopted via modeling unique characteristics, relationships, and dependencies in spatial and spatiotemporal data. Students will learn to apply these techniques, and evaluate and compare these models on various benchmark datasets.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What professional development opportunities can I participate in?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Students are encouraged to engage in an External Professional Experience (EPE) that immerses them in the geospatial field through opportunities with government agencies, industry leaders, private firms, academic research institutions, and other relevant organizations. Students have participated in internships, fellowships, external workshops, and other professional development activities, providing valuable real-world exposure and networking opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text has-custombg-four-background-color wp-block-ncst-mini-story\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text__container\">\n      \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-text-column\">\n    <h2 class=\"ncst-text-column__heading\">Internship Spotlight<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"ncst-text-column__teaser\">Jenna Abrahamson spent the summer with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a Ph.D. intern, developing methods to better monitor short-term flooding events using machine learning and time series techniques.<\/p>\n          \n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n    \n<div class=\"is-style-secondary wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/2023\/08\/abrahamson-sensing-methods-flooding\/\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n                      >\n                  <span class=\"text\">Read More<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-media\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/07182023_JennaAbrahamson_provided_featured-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Jenna Abrahamson - Ph.D. in Geospatial Analytics - Geospatial Analytics at NC State University\" class=\"wp-image-22116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/07182023_JennaAbrahamson_provided_featured-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/07182023_JennaAbrahamson_provided_featured-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/07182023_JennaAbrahamson_provided_featured-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2024\/07\/07182023_JennaAbrahamson_provided_featured.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Center&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/about\/geospatial-forum\/\">Geospatial Forum<\/a> series provides students with the chance to engage with and learn from prominent leaders in the geospatial data sciences. Additionally, the Geospatial Graduate Student Organization hosts Lunch &amp; Learns, study halls, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gisweekatncstate.org\/\">GIS Week<\/a> events, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment for academic and professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Geospatial Analytics Travel Award offers substantial funding each year to support students presenting their research at scientific conferences. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/news\/category\/student-travel\/\">Student Travel series<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, N.C. State&#8217;s Graduate School offers an extensive suite of professional development opportunities, including <a href=\"https:\/\/grad.ncsu.edu\/professional-development\/careers-outside-of-academia\/a2i\/\">Accelerate to Industry<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/grad.ncsu.edu\/professional-development\/teaching-programs\/teaching-certificate\/\">Teaching Certificate<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/grad.ncsu.edu\/professional-development\/writing\/writing-workshops\/\">writing workshops<\/a> and much more. Students with an interest in teaching are given the opportunity to become instructor of record for one of the Center&#8217;s undergraduate or Master&#8217;s courses.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-accordion\" >\n    <div class=\"accordion isLinked\" id=\"ncst-accordion-qq5wq6\">\n          \n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"qq5wq6\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Previous External Professional Experiences<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AGU Community Science Fellows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data4Justice Accelerator Program<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Earth Surface Processes Institute<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Environmental Protection Agency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I-GUIDE Summer School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Nature Conservancy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Audobon Society<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NASA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NOAA&nbsp;Great Lakes&nbsp;Environmental Research Laboratory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oak Ridge National Laboratory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pacific Northwest National Laboratory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Planet Labs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rachel Carson Council Fellowship<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USDA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>US Olympic &amp; Paralympic Committee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weyerhauser<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yale Environmental Fellows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\">\n    The program provided the skill development, classes and research at the intersection of my interests in data science\/computational modeling and earth science. I learned a ton, which is a result of the mentorship I received, classes I took, grants I was encouraged to apply to, and research and publications I completed.<br><br><em>Elyssa Collins \u201923<\/em>\n  <\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we have received about the Ph.D. program in Geospatial Analytics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-accordion\" >\n    <div class=\"accordion isLinked\" id=\"ncst-accordion-szgs0o\">\n          \n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Can the program be completed online or part-time?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>No, the Ph.D. in Geospatial Analytics is a traditional full-time on-campus program.<a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd-in-geospatial-analytics\/#ncst-accordion-item-1-7\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">I am currently in a master\u2019s degree program and will complete my degree in the spring. Can I still apply now to start the Ph.D. program in the fall?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>Yes. We accept unofficial transcripts with your application. Official transcripts will be requested if you are admitted to the program.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Do I need to have been a geography major to apply?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>No, we welcome applications from students with strong computational skills from diverse backgrounds, including mathematics, data science, environmental science, biology, engineering, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Do I need a master\u2019s degree to apply?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>No, we accept outstanding students without a master&#8217;s degree. Successful applicants, however, will have had significant previous academic research experience.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Do you offer application fee waivers?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>Application fee waivers are offered only for domestic students who have participated in specific national research programs (i.e. McNair Scholars). International students are not eligible for application fee waivers.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Is financial assistance available? Do you accept students without funding?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>We offer full funding to our admitted students, with a minimum $30,000 stipend, tuition waiver, and insurance, renewable for up to four years. Students are responsible for paying their own student fees (currently <a href=\"https:\/\/studentservices.ncsu.edu\/finances\/tuition-and-fees\/tuition-and-fee-rates\/graduate-students\/\">$1,252.25<\/a> per semester).<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Do I need to secure an advisor before applying?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>While we do not require students to secure an advisor prior to admission, we strongly encourage applicants to contact with the supervisors of <a href=\"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/geospatial\/academics\/phd-in-geospatial-analytics\/graduate-assistantships\/\">assistantship positions<\/a> that would be of interest to them. Please note that not all of our faculty are recruiting each year, so we suggest restricting your inquiries to those with open positions. We also offer admission to a limited number of students on internal program funding who are matched to an advisor and a research project during their first year.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Do I need to take the GRE?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>No, the GRE is not required.<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"szgs0o\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n        <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">What are the English proficiency requirements for international students?<\/h2>\n      <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p>IBT TOEFL new score scale &#8211; total score of 4 (at least a 4 in each section, 5 in Speaking to be eligible for a TA appointment), IELTS score \u2265 6.5 on each section, Duolingo English \u2265 110 on each section. <strong>We will not consider applicants who do not meet these minimum scores. <\/strong>Please do not submit an application if you have not met this minimum. Scores are not required for citizens of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/grad.ncsu.edu\/students\/rules-and-regulations\/handbook\/english-as-official-language\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">these countries<\/a>&nbsp;or who have completed at least one year of full time study at U.S. college or university<\/p>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What makes the Ph.D. in Geospatial Analytics different? What kinds of research projects might I work on? At the Center for Geospatial Analytics, we are dedicated to pushing the frontiers&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":152,"featured_media":0,"parent":529,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/floating-box-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"pageIntro\":\"Our groundbreaking Ph.D. program blends integrative thinking with hands-on experience, offering a unique, interdisciplinary approach to training the next generation of geospatial data scientists. 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