GEOG 187Geospatial Data Science
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Environment
Not in the current Undergraduate Calendar. Shown as it appeared in 2025–26.
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
A specialized introduction to fundamental concepts and emerging trends in geomatics and geospatial data science. Overview of the geospatial industry, including application in government, research, and private sector. Students are introduced to cross-discipline tools and techniques for accessing, visualizing, and analyzing geospatial data.
Prerequisites
- Enrolled in H-Geomatics, or JH-Geomatics
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Reviewed on UW Flow
81% liked it79% easy81% useful
From 42 ratings and 10 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Useful introduction to Geomatics courses and GIS concepts. Assignments and in-class project are given plenty of time for you to complete.
Nov 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
A good introduction to data science. It was a bit unclear how much effort was required to demonstrate the assignment task so I probably went way above and beyond, but the lectures were interesting and great professor.
Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
good introduction to geomatics, lectures are important tho!!
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Useful for Geomatics students, not that useful if you plan on transferring programs. Not content heavy and assignments were chill
Nov 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Four assignments, a final project, and a final test. High marks are very attainable in this course. Short, but interesting lectures.
Dec 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
15 posts and comments in 14 threads mention GEOG 187, April 2016 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2023
Notes? GEOG 181, 187, and ENVS 178 1 point, 2 comments
u/Most-Chemical-4819: “Hey, does anyone have notes from GEOG 181, ENVS 178, or GEOG 187? Would be greatly appreciated :) I couldn't get the textbooks. &x200B;”
Winter 2023
Final term before graduation, various GEOG textbooks available 2 points, 6 comments
u/hyenagames: “I am in Geomatics, so I kind of pilled up some of my textbooks I am willing to sell. Some of them include GEOG 101/102/201/202. And the Data sense courses, like GEOG 186/187/271/286”
Fall 2022
Absolute madman terrorizing my classes 507 points, 34 comments
“There is a fucking dude in at least 3 of my classes who constantly tells random shit while the professor is talking. …”
u/MerkzYT: “which course lmaooo i think ik who ur talking about”
u/Secure-Lake5784: “Cs115 envs178, geog 187 or 181 I forget”
Spring 2019
is geog 181 hard // how hard is geomatics 5 points, 8 comments
“i have no background in GIS..... i am in the ENV faculty and trying to figure out if i should transfer to GEMS and what to specialize in... …”
u/RedPanda26: “… GEOG 281 is now the introduction to GIS class for non geomatics students or GEOG 187 for the geomatics students only. You should have no problem taking 181. …”
Can more new grads post their undergrad stats please? 26 points, 64 comments
“They're fun to read.”
u/Scryfish: “Lets go Program: 3-year general Geography (computing option) Highest grade: 86 in GEOG187 Lowest grade: 60 in GEOG387 and GEOG293 CGPA: 73 Favorite elective: phil284 Least favorite elective: CS200 Number of courses dropped: 2 Coops: 5 ottawa (geo) TO (qa) TO (data platforms) 2x …”
Spring 2018
Acceptances Megathread [Fall 2018 Incoming Students] 142 points, 1,897 comments
“Hi all, This thread is specifically for those who got accepted to UW to discuss different issues (residences, courses, student life, etc.) and celebrate the hard work and efforts of those who have …”
u/Syvash: “I got deferred to Geomatics (cs). Is the program that bad? Also, how difficult is it to switch to math or cs after first year? (I know cs is tough, but what about math?) ty”
u/cabbagemeister: “… You will only be able to take 2 math classes in first year unless you drop a core course (or english in 1B) --- 1A Schedule GEOG 101 GEOG 187 ENVS 178 One of: CS 115/CS 135 One of: MATH 106/MATH 114 --- 1B Schedule GEOG 102 GEOG 281 ENVS 278 One of: ENGL 109/ENGL 129R --- …”
Winter 2018
Anyone here take GEOG 181 / GEOG 207 0 points, 5 comments
“Trying to pick a course to take online this summer and they both sound kind of interesting. Anyone here want to share their experience with either of these courses? …”
u/catchmeiimfalliing: “I took GEOG 181 last term! It was 3 tests and 9 labs. They just recently changed the software from ArcGIS to QGIS, which is a godsend since QGIS is free! So I could do my labs on my laptop, easy. …”
u/Yunath_: “I took GEOG 187 and it still used ArcGIS. Wouldn't they both change?”
Fall 2017
What does NG mean in quest marks? 7 points, 4 comments
“I assume it means "Not Graded" but parents wont believe me and think its a fail. Can anyone clarify? https://gyazo.com/6b03743ad2446c9f56040aaad498e350”
u/lros33: “I'm in GEOG187 as well and am a little confused as to why the mark isn't up because the final test Mark has been up on learn for almost a week.”
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… GENE 403 GENE 415 GENE 501 GEOE 299 GEOE 400 GEOE 498 GEOG 100 GEOG 101 GEOG 102 GEOG 181 GEOG 187 GEOG 201 GEOG 203 GEOG 215 GEOG 222 GEOG 233 GEOG 281 GEOG 293 GEOG 294 GEOG 303 GEOG 309 GEOG 310 GEOG 311 GEOG 316 GEOG 319 GEOG 340 GEOG 356 GEOG 371 GEOG 374 GEOG 387 GEOG 404 …”
Spring 2017
What are your favorite books? 17 points, 40 comments
“The Solitaire Mystery by Jostein Gaarder 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami Cracking the Coding Interview”
u/Karrottz: “Catch-22 and the GEOG187 textbook”
Winter 2017
uWaterloo courses without exams? 4 points, 20 comments
“Hey all, I'm looking for some bird courses for my last semester while I write my thesis. My preference is to have no exams, but of course, some syllabi aren't available so that I can check this out …”
u/library_home: “GEOG 187/181”
Spring 2016
What is your favorite course? 16 points, 63 comments
u/Karrottz: “CS234, GEOG187 (geomatics VIP club)”
u/Odzinic: “234 was pretty interesting since I enjoy Python. Is GEOG 187 the new GEOG 281/165?”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2025–26The archived 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
- 2020–21
- 2021–22
- 2024–25
- 2025–26 (shown here)
- 2019–20 and earlier on ucalendar