GDS 481Geographic Information Systems Project

Units: 1.00
Faculty: Environment
Subject: Geospatial Data Science
Cross-listed: PLAN 481

When it runs

Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

The development, implementation, and presentation of a response to a set of GIS related project requirements is the focus of this course. Students work in small teams to enhance and develop their abilities to work with GIS and related spatial technologies and analytical methods in an advanced project setting. The nature of the project requirements and themes varies with faculty and student strengths and interests. Projects may emphasize development of software applications, use of programming, or advanced GIS analysis methods, and draw from theme areas such as environment studies and management, human and physical geography, or planning.

Prerequisites

Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
  - ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
- Complete 1 of the following
  - Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    - GDS381 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems (0.50)
    - PLAN381 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems (0.50)
  - Must have completed the following:
    - GEOG381
- Complete 1 of the following
  - Must have completed the following:
    - GDS387 - Artificial Intelligence in Geospatial Data Science (0.50)
  - Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    - GEOG387
    - PLAN387

Antirequisites

Not completed any of the following:
- GEOG481

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
Section	Class	Enrolled	Meets
SEM 001	7809	34 / 50	Th 08:30–11:20
LAB 101	7810	16 / 25	W 14:30–16:20
LAB 102	7811	18 / 25	Th 12:30–14:20

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
Section	Class	Enrolled	Meets
SEM 001	7287	0 / 28	Th 11:30–14:20
SEM 701	8213	22 / 9999	Online or by arrangement
LAB 101	7331	0 / 14	F 12:30–14:20
LAB 102	8446	0 / 14	F 14:30–16:20

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar

2026–27 (shown here)
2019–20 and earlier on ucalendar