EESC 6680 Applications of GIS

This course builds understanding of geographic information systems (GIS) by applying geospatial analysis techniques to geoscience and social science scenarios. Concepts covered include coordinate systems and projections, data models, queries, finding data, basic geospatial analysis, and best practices in cartography. The course is conducted using ArcGIS software. Students practice independent troubleshooting by conducting a research project that applies GIS to a field of interest.

Course overview

Department
Earth and Environmental Sciences
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Graduate
Offered
Periodically

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.50 / 5 · Excellent
12 responses
Instructor rating
4.50 / 5 · Excellent
12 responses
Terms evaluated
3
Most recent: Fall 2025

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Fall 2025Katherine Willis4.54.54.34.33.05.04.53.31–3 hrs/week4 of 4
Fall 2024Katherine Willis4.54.84.84.74.24.74.84.31–3 hrs/week6 of 7
Fall 2023Katherine Willis4.53.54.54.54.05.05.05.04–6 hrs/week2 of 2

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Katherine Willis
    Fall 2026, Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023 · Official rating 4.50/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Katherine Willis · Digital Experience Classroom 100 M 01:00PM-01:50PM;Digital Experience Classroom 100 W 01:00PM-02:50PM · Offered