Geographic information science is a rapidly developing field, which has been widely accepted by many other disciplines. Geographic information systems (GIS) also have become the backbone of information systems of many government agencies and private companies. The GIS industry has been growing at a double-digit rate for many years. This certificate program offers training in this exciting discipline and technology. It is designed to meet the needs of both novice and experienced GIS professionals and combines the theory and technology of GIS in its curriculum. Students who graduate from this program will have a solid understanding of the theoretical basis of GIS and rich hands-on experience with GIS software packages.

The GIS Certificate Program is supported by the Joint Center of Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (GISSA), which consists of the Department of Geography, the School of Planning, and other participating units of the University of Cincinnati.

Program Curriculum

Guidelines during the quarter to semester transitional year (2012 - 2013).

GIS Certificate Program, GIS Certificate Program Application Form

More Information on www.gissa.uc.edu

The GIS certificate program is designed to provide students with systematic education on the theories, methodologies and applications of GIS, rich hands-on training experience with leading GIS software packages, and enhanced problem-solving capabilities. There levels of courses are designed to help students achieve these goals. Courses at the introductory level focus on the basic theories and methodologies. Intermediate level courses focus on how to apply existing technologies to solve problems. Advanced level courses aim to develop new techniques to solve real world problems.

To obtain a GIS certificate, a student must complete five required courses from the following list: two at the introductory level, two at the intermediate level and one at the advanced level, with a minimum grade of C in each course. The certificate will be awarded upon application and satisfactory completion of the required courses.

Introductory Level

Two introductory level courses are required.

1. One out of the following courses:

Geography 574: Introduction to Computer Cartography

Geography 576: Introduction to Remote Sensing

2. One out of the following courses:

Geography 580: Introduction to GIS

Planning 580/780: Introduction to GIS

Intermediate Level

Two intermediate level courses are required out of the following courses.

Geography 581: GIS Modeling and Environmental Applications

Geography 582: GIS Urban-Economic Applications

Planning 581/781: GIS Planning Applications

Prerequisite of these courses: Introduction to GIS.

Advanced Level

One advanced level course is required out of the following courses.

Geography 591: Internet Mapping & Web GIS

Geography 693: Advanced GIS

Planning 582/782: GIS Project Management and Formulation

Prerequisite of these courses: any of the intermediate level courses.

Lower level courses may be replaced by upper level courses upon approval of the advisor. All of the above courses are currently offered in the Department of Geography or the School of Planning. Course descriptions are available at http://www.geography.uc.edu and http://daap.uc.edu/planning/.

One of the five required courses may be substituted by a similar course taken outside the program. A written petition must be submitted to Dr. Liu or Dr. Wang for such substitution, and it must include well-reasoned justifications, including a thorough comparison of content coverage between the two courses, with the syllabi attached. The petition will be considered on a case-by-case basis.