North Columbus News

The Ohio State University is expanding its offerings in the field of geography with a new graduate program designed to support careers in geographic information sciences and technology (GIST). Professor Ningchuan Xiao, who has been with the university since 2003, leads the program. He explains that maps, while useful, cannot fully represent all aspects of a place due to limitations in available data.

“There certainly is a lot that you can’t tell, right?” Xiao said. “How many trees are in Columbus? How many people? Where are those people? You can’t fully represent a place on a map. What you show is a representation of what data you have.”

Xiao's research emphasizes geographic data, quantitative methods, and computational methods. The new master's degree in GIST debuted last year and has seen growing enrollment as it meets the demand for advanced degrees in fields such as banking, insurance, and public policy.

“Ohio State was one of the pioneers in the field of quantitative geography,” he said. “That’s a branch of geography that uses quantitative and computational methods to solve spatial problems. It’s a good fit for me. I was extremely excited to be accepted here.”

The program is conducted entirely online but offers options for in-person courses, providing flexibility for working professionals who wish to further their education without attending full-time on campus.

“Our students are mainly professionals,” Xiao said. “People who already have a job or are close to getting a job. They don’t plan to go full-time on campus, just to study.”

Students enrolled in the program must complete 11 out of 15 courses offered, including a capstone project demonstrating their knowledge and skills in GIST.

“Ohio State has a long history with the field,” he said. “I think we should provide attractive options for students, and not just our students but everyone looking for an advanced degree from a high-quality brand like Ohio State. We have the capacity to do that, so we are.”

Xiao describes GIST as complex but essential for understanding how different spatial data sources converge through technology—citing Google Maps as an example.

“Look at Google Maps,” he said. “Google Maps is a celebration of the convergence of different spatial data sources and computation technology."

Reflecting on his own introduction to GIST after graduating with a degree in geography from China, Xiao expressed enthusiasm about sharing his passion with more students at Ohio State.

“That was the first time I learned that there’s something called GIST,” he said. “I learned you can use a computer to make beautiful maps."

He believes that advanced degrees can significantly benefit graduates by enhancing job prospects and career advancement opportunities.

“Where do our students go after they graduate, our undergraduate students? Do they want more? An advanced degree can help them get a better job, get better pay and advance their careers.”