OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
Geographic Information Science (GIS) Certificate Program |
Certificate code CTGISU
College of Arts and Sciences
Geography Department
N378 Lindley Hall
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1140
www.ohio.edu/cas/geography
Gaurav Sinha, certificate coordinator/contact person
sinhag@ohio.edu
Program Overview
The ability to think spatially, interpret maps, and creatively use geospatial technologies is a fundamental skill expected in a wide variety of careers today. Maps and mapping technologies also underlie a significant proportion of everyday decision makings. Acquiring such skills requires formal training in many topics related to the interdisciplinary field of Geographic Information Science (GIScience). The Certificate in GIScience is designed for students to complement their major with knowledge of mapping and geospatial technologies. The curriculum ensures a balanced background in the three core areas of GIScience: i) theoretical foundations of mapping and geospatial analysis, ii) use of geospatial technologies for creating, mapping, and analyzing geographic information, and iii) general computational and information analysis skills. The certificate is open to all undergraduates except those enrolled in the GIScience major.
If you have any questions about this certificate, please contact the Certificate Director, Dr. Gaurav Sinha - N396 Lindley Hall - 740.593.0304 - sinhag@ohio.edu .
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
Job opportunities for GIS specialists abound in both government and private sectors. Depending on skill level, career tracks include, but are not limited to the following: data technician, database administrator, cartographer, geospatial analyst, software designer, GIS educator, and project manager.
Requirements
Certificate Hours Requirement
The geographic information science (GIS) certificate program is a minimum of 17 hours. Students must take at least 6 hours outside their major of study.
Core Courses
Complete the following courses:
- GEOG 2680 - Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4730 - Principles of GIS Credit Hours: 4
Core Elective
Choose one of the following courses:
- GEOG 3600 - Principles of Cartography Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4660 - Principles of Remote Sensing Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4760 - Advanced Spatial Analysis and GIS Applications Credit Hours: 4
Specialization Electives
Choose two courses (5-8 credits) from the following:
- BIOS 3760 - Field Ecology Credit Hours: 3
- CE 2100 - Elements of Land Surveying Credit Hours: 3
- CE 4100 - Applied Boundary Surveying Credit Hours: 2
- COMS 2400 - Communication for Innovation Credit Hours: 3
- CS 2300 - Computer Programming in JAVA Credit Hours: 4
- CS 2400 - Introduction to Computer Science I Credit Hours: 4
- CS 2401 - Introduction to Computer Science II Credit Hours: 4
- CS 3560 - Software Engineering Tools and Practices Credit Hours: 3
- ET 2100 - Engineering Programming Credit Hours: 4
- GEOG 4710 - Quantitative Methods in Geography Credit Hours: 3
- ISE 2100 - Data Management and Display Credit Hours: 3
- MIS 2200 - Systems Analysis and Design Credit Hours: 3
- MIS 2800 - Business Intelligence and Information Management Credit Hours: 3
- SOC 4500 - Data Analysis Credit Hours: 3
- VICO 2162 - Interactive II: Advanced Web Design Credit Hours: 3
- VICO 3310 - Multimedia Production for Visual Communication Credit Hours: 3
-
Specialization Elective Subgroup 1 - Choose no more than one course
- QBA 1721 - Introduction to Information Analysis and Descriptive Analytics for Nonmajors Credit Hours: 3
-
Specialization Elective Subgroup 2 - Choose no more than one course
- ISE 4350 - Database Information Systems Credit Hours: 3
- MIS 2020 - Business Information Systems Credit Hours: 3
- MIS 2021 - Business Information Systems Nonmajor Credit Hours: 3
-
Specialization Elective Subgroup 3 - Choose no more than one course
- VICO 2161 - Interactive I: Web Design Credit Hours: 3
- VICO 2561 - Introduction to Basic Web Design Credit Hours: 3
-
Specialization Elective Subgroup 4 - Choose no more than one course
- GEOG 2710 - Introduction to Statistics in Geography Credit Hours: 3
- GEOL 3050 - Statistical Methods in Geology Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 2500 - Statistics and Probability Credit Hours: 4
- PBIO 3150 - Statistical Methods in Plant Biology Credit Hours: 4
- PSY 2110 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credit Hours: 4
- QBA 2010 - Introduction to Business Statistics Credit Hours: 4