Geographic Information Systems Undergraduate Certificate
Certificate Requirements
The Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems introduces students to broad concepts, technologies, tools, and techniques related to the gathering and sharing of geographic data across various disciplines. Students will learn how to acquire geographic information from a variety of sources; manage, interpret, and present geospatial data for a given purpose; and how to use geographic information system (GIS) software for storage, manipulation, and analysis of geospatial data.
| Core | ||
| SOC 2501 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 4501 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems and Sciences | 3 |
| CMP SCI 3990 | Undergraduate Internship | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose one course from the following list of methods/visualization electives | 3 | |
| Introduction to Geography (MOTR GEOG 101) | ||
| Topics in Information Literacy 2,3 | ||
| Data Visualization for Business Applications 2 | ||
| Political Parties and Elections 2 | ||
| Introduction to Data Visualization 2 | ||
| Social Mapping for Change | ||
| Data Programming | ||
| Introduction to Digital Image Processing and Computer Vision 2 | ||
| Choose one course from the following list of broadening electives | 3 | |
| World Regions (MOTR GEOG 101) | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Inquiries in the Fine and Performing Arts 3 | ||
| Inquiries In Mathematics And Computing 2,3 | ||
| The Geography of Governance 2 | ||
| Inquiries in U.S. History 2,3 | ||
| Geospatial Analysis in the Social Sciences 2 | ||
| Python for Scientific Computing and Data Science 2 | ||
| Topics in Logic 2,3 | ||
| Introduction to Poverty, Human Rights, and Social Justice 2 | ||
| Sustainability Management 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 13 | |
Other UMSL courses and courses from other UM campuses, through ICCS or other formats, may be included as electives with prior approval of the program coordinator.
- 1
Must be approved by the program coordinator
- 2
This course has departmental prerequisites, please consult an advisor for more information
- 3
Only specific section offerings (those with formalized GIS content) may count toward certificate and must be approved by program director
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, certificate earners will be able to:
- Explain the important role of the geospatial dimension in data analysis and presentation
- Apply foundational concepts and methods of acquisition, management, visualization, and analysis of geographic data and apply these skills to problems in various disciplines
- Use GIS tools and methods to create maps, images, and other media to communicate in a meaningful way to others
- Solve GIS focused problems independently and as a member of a team