Certificate in Geographic Information Systems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a robust and rapidly growing technology that allows users to “capture, store, manipulate, analyze and display all types of spatially referenced geographic information about what is where on the earth's surface and how they relate to each other” (ESRI 2002). It has wide-ranging applications across disciplines and is used by professionals in such disparate careers as epidemiology, public and private utilities, journalism, and rural land management. Graduates of WSU anticipating working in the field sciences, whether anthropology, biology, criminal justice, history, geography, geology, linguistics or urban planning (among others), will need a foundation in geospatial science – just as all now are expected to have working knowledge in the basics of using a word processor, spreadsheets and email. Beyond the field sciences, GIS is a high-demand skill in countless career paths. Knowledge of GIS will give students in any field a strategic edge in the job market.
The certificate program is open to all WSU undergraduate students.
Program Requirements
To complete the undergraduate GIS certificate, students must complete 12 credits of course work including:
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GIS Level I - Introduction | ||
| Choose one of the following | 3 | |
|
ANTH 562Skills and techniques course that introduces elementary concepts and tools of geographic
information systems and the particular tools available in the program ArcGIS Desktop.
Application of GIS tools and concepts to data analysis and interpretation, to behavioral
pattern interpretation, and management decisions in using the data available from
the WSU City Archeologist program and from the Sedgwick County GIS department are
emphasized.
|
Introduction to GIS | |
|
CJ 581DA hands-on course where students are introduced to geographic information systems
(GIS), learning about geographic concepts and the spatial analysis of crime. ArcGIS
desktop is used to develop technical skills needed for mapping, forecasting, analyzing
and spatially presenting data associated with crime. The mapping of public data from
the Census Bureau and municipalities is used for operationalizing criminological theory
and developing class projects to explain real-world crime problems.
|
||
| GIS Level II - Database Management | ||
| GEOL 692 | Spatial SQL and SDE | 3 |
| Choose One of the Following Options | 6 | |
| Option 1 | ||
| Take two courses (3 credit hours each) from GIS Level III | ||
| Option 2 | ||
| Take one course each from GIS Level III and GIS Level IV (3 credit hours each) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GIS Level III - Mapping, Interpretation and Analysis | ||
| ANTH 662 | Topics in Spatial Analysis | |
| CJ 581C | Crime Analysis | |
| GEOL 690Z | Applied GIS | |
| GEOL 693 | Python for Geospatial Analysis | |
| HIST/GEOG 550 | Mapping and History | |
| GIS Level IV - Specific Applications | ||
| ANTH 664 | Spatial Project in Anthropology | |
| RE 691 | Independent Study/Project | |
| GEOL 540 | Field Map Methods | |
| GEOL 564 | Remote Sensing Interpretation | |
Student must complete course work in GIS levels as prescribed and must earn a grade of C or better in all courses and overall grade point average of 2.000 or better for all courses comprising the certificate program.