Information Technology: GIS Fundamentals Certificate

The GIS Fundamentals Certificate provides a curriculum based on a solid foundation in GIS concepts. Students enrolled in this certificate will learn the different forms of spatial data and their essential properties; ways spatial data can be used to investigate complex problems; principles and methods for collecting spatial data; principles of map design and effective cartographic communication; designing, creating and manipulating GIS databases and operating GPS technology.

This certificate is designed for students who have experience with computers and want to improve their geospatial technology skills. If a student does not have prior computer proficiency, other coursework might be required to meet course pre-requisites.

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of "C" or better: CTI, GIS

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
CTI-110		3
This course covers the introduction of the tools and resources available to students in programming, mark-up language, and services on the Internet. Topics include standard mark-up language Internet services, creating web pages, using search engines, file transfer programs; and database design and creation with DBMS products. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of programming tools, deploy a web-site with mark-up tools, and create a simple database table. View course details for Web, Pgm, & Db Foundation ‌‌
GIS-111		3
This course introduces the hardware and software components of a Geographic Information System and reviews GIS applications. Topics include data structures and basic functions, methods of data capture and sources of data, and the nature and characteristics of spatial data and objects. Upon completion, students should be able to identify GIS hardware components, typical operations, products/applications, and differences between database models and between raster and vector systems. The ESRI software used in the course only works in a Windows environment. View course details for Introduction to GIS ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
GIS-215		3
This course covers interpreting and understanding of a variety of data formats available in GIS. Topics include the similarities and differences between data models as well as how data is treated differently within each format, to include the conversion of data between different environments. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of GIS data storage and interoperability. View course details for GIS Data Models ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
GIS-121		3
This course introduces coordinate systems, fundamentals of surveying, and cartography. Topics include the theory, acquisition, and use of locational data using both continuous and discrete georeferencing methods. Upon completion, students should be able to identify appropriate coordinate systems for a situation and translate data into the correct map form. View course details for Georeferencing and Mapping ‌‌

Total Credit Hours Required:

Curriculum is based on the 2022-23 catalog.