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GIS Certificate Curricula

Model Curricula

  • A minimum of 16 graduate level credit hours (400 or above) are required to complete the GIS Certificate (courses that count toward completion of the GIS Certificate are listed below)

  • Requirements:
    • One Level 1 course (3 or 4 credit hours)
    • Two Level 2 courses (3 or 4 credit hours each)
    • Two Elective courses (at least 3 credit hours each): Electives must be taken from the Electives List below
    • Capstone Seminar Course (1 credit hour)
  • Required courses may be cross-listed between participating departments and taught in some instances by 'teams' comprised of tenure and tenure-track faculty with post-docs or adjunct faculty.
  • Click here to see the courses provided in current academic year.


Level One Competency

An option will be available for students admitted to the Certificate Program to waive the Level One required course. To waive the first required course a student must show proof of taking a GIS concept/theory course offered either through a University or Community College in the last two years. Students waiving the Level One course will take an additional elective (three total) to complete the 16 credits needed to earn the certificate.

List of Classes

LEVEL ONE: REQUIRED COURSES

Course Class Title
Credits
GPH 594 Fundamental GIScience
The focus will be on GIS theory and methodology, practical GIS software skills, and basic scientific computing skills.

4
PAF 571 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Analysis
An introductory course in GIS and analysis. GIS is used as a tool for analyzing spatial-related issues, research questions, and policy problems in a variety of sciences and fields of study.

3
PUP 494/598 GIS and Planning

3
LEVEL TWO: TWO REQUIRED COURSES - Each from a Seperate Category (2A, 2B, 2C, or 2D)

2A - Geographic Spatial Analysis - Conduct a variety of modeling exercises using
raster data.

Learning Outcomes: Conceptual and working knowledge of raster based coincidence analysis, map algebra operations, distance functions, surface representations (slope, aspect, contours, hillshade), discrete vs. continuous data, integer vs. floating point grids, histograms, reclassification, surface interpolation, nearest neighbor/bilinear interpolation/cubic convolution resampling methods, local/focal/zonal functions, suitability modeling, hydrologic modeling.

ABS 485 GIS in Natural Resources
Principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) utilized in natural resource management. Use of computers for spatial analysis of natural resources. Lecture, lab. Prerequisite: CSE 180 or equivalent.
3
GPH 483 Geographic Information Analysis
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the basics of spatial data analysis. Topics covered will include point pattern analysis, line descriptors, spatial autocorrelation, and geostatistical kriging. Prior knowledge: A minimum of experience with basic statistical methods and associated software is expected. Students should be familiar with probability models, hypothesis testing, and regression. No prior experience with GIS is required. However, a basic understanding of the concepts is extremely helpful.
3

2B - Building a GIS from Data Creation to Display - Requires students to create a GIS from start to finish by creating digital data from paper maps, text files, gps data, and/or scanned images. Students learn to attribute and display data they have created.

Learning Outcomes: Conceptual and working knowledge of programming languages to create custom interfaces and maps. Students should be able to use work from previous courses as a foundation for this course as they learn how to organize and present information in an interactive user-friendly format.

GPH 473 Geographic Information Systems
The class is designed to provide the student with a secure understanding of how ARC/INFO is used to address a wide range of geographic issues. Digital geographic data types and sources will be used throughout the course.
3

2C - GIS Application Design, Development and Distribution - Students learn how to design, develop and distribute custom applications, automate cartographic operations, customize interfaces, manage relational data sets and develop new sets of map analysis tools.

Learning Outcomes: Conceptual and working knowledge of programming languages to create custom interfaces and maps. Students should be able to use work from previous courses as a foundation for this course as they learn how to organize and present information in an interactive user-friendly format.

GPH 573 Geographic Information Systems
Students learn how to design, develop and distribute custom applications, automate cartographic operations, customize interfaces, manage relational data sets and develop new sets of map analysis tools.
3

2D - Remote Sensing and Analysis - Students learn how to acquire and analyze remotely sensed data for a variety of application contexts.

Learning Outcomes: Conceptual and working knowledge of airborne and satellite remote sensing and image processing. Students should be able to acquire data, process the images, create appropriate data, analyze the accuracy of the results, and utilize the data for specific applications.
ABS 486 Integration of GIS and Remote Sensing
This course focuses on the integration of Remote Sensing and GIS, with emphasis on the incorporation of remote sensing image output to raster based GIS modeling used in the analysis and decision making processes in natural resources. Prerequisites: ABS 485 and ABS 486 or equivalent.

3
ABS 586 Remote Sensing in Environmental Resources
Principles and application of remote sensing technologies in natural resource management using computerized data from aerial photography and satellite imagery. Lecture, lab. Prerequisite: ABS 485 or equivalent.

4
GLG 494/598 Remote Sensing
The Remote Sensing courese focuses on the quantitative aspects of remote sensing. Students can learn about the composition and physical properties of surfaces using the spectral and reflectivity properties. Also discussing image processing techniques.

3
GPH 575 Geographic Applications of Remote Sensing
Uses imaging and nonimaging methods of remote acquisition of data, including satellite sensors, airborne radar, multiband scanning, conventional photographic sensors, and ground-based equipment. Field trips. Prerequisites: GCU 585 (or GPH 491); GPH 372.

3

CAPSTONE SEMINAR COURSE - Students will present a GIS project to the GIS Certificate Working Committee. All students will be responsible for demonstrating how GIS technology has enabled them to address a spatial problem more effectively.

PUP 591 Special Topic - Capstone Seminar for GIS Certificate
1
PAF 591 Special Topic - Capstone Seminar for GIS Certificate
1
PLB 591 Special Topic - Capstone Seminar for GIS Certificate
1
GPH 591 Special Topic - Capstone Seminar for GIS Certificate
1
ERS 598 Special Topic - Capstone Seminar for GIS Certificate
1
APPROVED ELECTIVES - Electives courses can be selected from the list below or selected from the Level Two list above that were not used as part of the Leve Two requirement.
ABS 591 Geographic Information Systems in Archaeology
3
CSE 412 Database Management
Prerequisite: CSE 310
3
ABS 586 Remote Sensing in Environmental Resources
Prerequisite: ABS 485 or equivalent
4
GPH 575 Geographic Applications of Remote Sensing
Prerequisites: GCU 585 (or GPH 491); GPH 372
3
GPH 494/598 Geographic Information Analysis for Environmental Systems
1-4
GPH 596 Advanced Spatial Statistics
3
ABS 551 Advanced Environmental Analysis
Prerequisites: ABS 350
4
GCU 591 Urban GIS
Prerequisites: GCU 294 or approval of instructor
1-3
GLG 410/598 Computers in Geology
Prerequisites: GLG 101 and one upper-division geology course or instructor approval
1-4
PLB 434 Landscape Ecological Analysis and Modeling
Prerequisites: BIO 406/PLB 432 or consent of instructor
3
PLB 498 Analytical Methods of Vegetation Cover and Change
1-7
GCU 484 Internship
3