Program Description

Geographic Information Science (GISc) is a fast-growing computer technology field involving mapping and analysis of spatial data. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable us to assess and manage existing conditions, and also help predict future conditions, ranging from monitoring disease occurrences, to endangered species preservation, to managing water supplies, to tracking real estate values, to crime solving.

GIS is used today in fields as diverse as law enforcement, marketing, economic development, public health administration, environmental analysis, ecology, urban planning, real estate, government, education, geology, anthropology, and archaeology. GISc is an expanding field with good career opportunities, and GIS professionals are in high demand in many fields. People with GIS skills can also be more marketable as managers and analysts in their own fields. A Certificate in GISc can be advantageous by itself or in augmenting a Masters, Bachelors or Associates Degree.

The Certificate in GISc consists of a sequence of 4 courses, equaling 14 credits, plus one 3-credit Geography elective course, for a total of 17 credits. Courses are offered in the evenings and some via e-mail. The courses can be taken for credit at either the undergraduate or graduate level, leading to the Certificate.

Required Coursework (14 credits):

GEP 204 / GEP 504 Basic Mapping: Applications and Analysis (3 credits);
GEP 205 / GEP 505 Principles of Geographic Information Science (GISc) (3 credits);
GEP 350 / GEP 605 Special Projects in GIS* (4 credits);
GEH 490 / GEP 690 Workshop in GIS (4 credits);
*Note: Recent topics in the "Special Projects in GISc" course include "Environmental Planning with GIS," and "Spatial Analytical Methods in GIS." Topics planned for the future are "GIS for Public Health," and "Using GIS in Ecology."

Geography Elective (3 credits), to be selected from among:

GEH 101 / GEH 501 Introduction to Geography: People, Places, and Environment, (may be taken via e-mail);
GEH 230 / GEH 530 Human Geography(may be taken via e-mail);
GEP 230 / GEP 530 Urban Environmental Management;
GEH 235 / GEH 613 Conservation of the Environment;
GEH 240 / GEH 540 Urban Geography;
GEH 266 / GEH 566 Geography of Development, (may be taken via e-mail);
(Other geography courses may be substituted for the elective requirement with department permission.)

TOTAL FOR GISc CERTIFICATE: 17 credits

Prerequisite for entering GISc Certificate Program:An Associates Degree, or completion of 60 college credits with at least a 2.0 GPA (C average). To take courses at the Graduate level, you must have a Bachelors Degree with a 3.0 GPA (B average). For application information, see Frequently Asked Questions.