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Geospatial Core Facility: geospatial analysis, cartography, and field data collection

Facilities & testing

University

A university-wide Montana State University resource providing UAV and LiDAR-based mapping, high-precision GNSS/GPS surveying, and geospatial analysis for research, government, and industry partners.

Overview

The Geospatial Core Facility (GCF) is the GIS hub at Montana State University. The GCFs supports research and projects for MSU faculty, government agencies, nonprofits, and private companies. Our core services are analysis, mapping, and data management. We also collect new field data with drone LiDAR, photogrammetry, and high-precision GPS.

Available services

Geospatial Data Analysis

Spatial analysis and modeling, including terrain analysis and change detection
Satellite and aerial image analysis
Geospatial data development, cleanup, and integration from public and project sources
Geodatabase hosting and data management
GIS programming and automated processing workflows

Cartography & Data Visualization

Print maps for reports, publications, and display, from single figures to wall maps
Interactive web maps and web applications
Graphics and visualization for presentations and public outreach

Field Data Collection

Drone LiDAR surveys producing point clouds, elevation models, and 3D models
Drone photogrammetry producing high-resolution orthoimagery and surface models
Hyperspectral and thermal drone imaging
High-precision GPS/GNSS field surveys and ground control

Training & Support

Workshops and training in GIS, remote sensing, and drone data collection
Help scoping geospatial work in grant proposals

Equipment & software

ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and open-source geospatial software
Processing workstations and high-performance computing
YellowScan Mapper+ drone LiDAR with an integrated camera for colorized point clouds
RTK-equipped mapping drone for photogrammetry
High-precision GNSS receivers

Access & booking

Staff-run, fee-for-service. Each project starts with a written scope of work and a quote at published rates. Rates differ for MSU and Montana University System clients and for outside partners. Contact the facility through montana.edu/geospatial to start a project.

Location

Based on the MSU campus in Bozeman, Montana. Field crews work across Montana and the surrounding region.

About Montana State University

Montana State University's substantial research enterprise growth has been accompanied by focused investments in innovation and research translation, creating new opportunities for companies to engage with MSU research and expertise. A particular strength is MSU’s network of specialized centers, institutes, and industry-accessible core facilities, which bring together multidisciplinary expertise, advanced research infrastructure, testing capabilities, and established pathways for working with industry partners. MSU is one of a select group of universities participating in the NSF's Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program, which is building the capacity and infrastructure needed to translate more research discoveries into solutions with real-world impact. The growing MSU Innovation Campus and expanding incubator infrastructure provide additional opportunities for university-industry interaction, startup development, and technology-focused companies. These efforts are complemented by MSU’s Technology Transfer Office, which works with researchers and companies to protect and license MSU inventions and facilitate industry-sponsored research collaborations.