Program Overview

Introduction to the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate Program

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate Program is designed to provide students with a broad education in GIS, serving as a basis for entry-level employment opportunities in the geotechnology industry. GIS is now used in various fields, including urban planning, environmental monitoring, marketing, business and retail analytics, law enforcement, public health, disaster management, and data journalism.

Program Requirements

The Undergraduate GIS Certificate Program requires 20 credit hours of instruction. To complete the certificate, students must take five required courses:

• GEO 241: Geographic Information Systems I: Digital Mapping (4 quarter hours)
• GEO 242: Geographic Information Systems II: Community GIS (4 quarter hours)
• GEO 243: Earth Observation (4 quarter hours)
• Select two of the following courses (8 quarter hours):
  • GEO 343: Earth Observation II
  • GEO 344: Spatial Analysis for Sustainability
  • GEO 345: Programming in Python for GIS
  • GEO 346: GIS Analysis of Environmental and Public Health
  • GEO 347: Web GIS and Spatial Data Visualization on the Web
  • GEO 348: Spatial Data Science
  • GEO 349: Crime Mapping & Analysis
  • GEO 391: Statistical Data Analysis for GIS

Course Sequence and Prerequisites

GEO 241 and GEO 242 must be taken in sequence. GEO 241 is a prerequisite for all 300-level GIS classes. GEO 243 may be taken at any time, but taking GEO 241 first is recommended.

Earning the Certificate

To earn a certificate in GIS, a student must:

• Earn at least a grade of C- in each certificate course.
• Earn at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all courses applied to the certificate.
• Earn a letter grade. The pass/fail option may not be selected for courses in the certificate.

Combining the GIS Certificate with Other Programs

A student completing a GIS Certificate is eligible to simultaneously complete a Geography or Urban Geography & Planning minor. However, no more than two GIS Certificate courses can be applied to a Geography or Urban Geography & Planning minor. A student wishing to complete a GIS Certificate and a Geography or Urban Geography & Planning minor will complete a minimum of eight Geography courses.

Approved GIS Certificate Courses

Approved GIS Certificate Courses include:

• GEO 241
• GEO 242
• GEO 243
• GEO 343 through GEO 349
• GEO 391 Additional GIS courses (e.g., Special Topics; GEO 395) may be approved by the Chair of the Department of Geography & GIS.