Geography and Planning

GIS Certificate

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (24 hours minimum)

Coordinator: Dr. Wagendorp, AICP, GISP.
Email: wagendoj@gvsu.edu
Telephone: 616.331.8672

Office Coordinator, Ms. Cindy Zehner
Telephone: 616.331-3065
Email; zehnerc@gvsu.edu

The certificate in GIS (24 hours minimum) provides relevant and emerging technical skills for professional career advancement with immediate applications in the workplace.

The program is designed for students from traditional science programs seeking technical skills necessary for career opportunities in the private or governmental sectors, and practitioners in environmental resource management, urban and regional planning, geography, health sciences, law enforcement, local government, facilities management, and other related fields. Entry and intermediate-level GIS users who lack formal education in GIS will find it attractive and beneficial because of the practical and applied nature of the courses taught.

Career Opportunities

GIS is becoming a widely available and affordable technology, and is increasingly used by corporations, governmental agencies, private enterprises, and nonprofit organizations. In such agencies there is a strong need for persons skilled in data acquisition, management, interpretation, integration, analysis, representation, and graphic display. GIS technology is efficient and fits well with the changing structure of the work environment.

Requirements for a Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional Planning

Students who seek the GIS Certificate must complete 5 required courses (16 credits) and 3 electives (8-11 credits).

Required Courses
  • CS 150 Introduction to Computing: (3 credits).
  • GPY 200 Computer Cartography: (3 credits).
  • GPY 307 Intro. to Computer Mapping/Geographic Information Systems: (3 credits).
  • GPY 407 Advanced GIS: (4 credits).
  • GPY 499 Independent Research: (3 credits).

Elective Courses

  • CS 233 Concepts of Database Systems (3 credits).
  • GEO 315 Geological Field Methods (2 credits).
  • GPY 370 Introduction to Remote Sensing (3 credits).
  • GPY 470 Digital Image Processing: (3 credits).
  • NRM 250 Resource Measurement and Maps: (4 credits).
  • NRM 350 Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing of the Environment: (4 credits).
  • NRM 395 GIS Applications in Resource Management: (3 credits).
  • PA 644 GIS in the Public Service: (3 credits).