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OVERVIEW

Geographic Information Scientists (GIScientists) have an ongoing concern with the collection, analysis and display of high precision spatial data. The Department of Geography (GEOG) and the Department of Computer Science (CSCI) are offering a joint undergraduate certificate in GIS and Computational Science. The program draws upon faculty expertise in both departments, providing interdisciplinary training in spatial data analysis and computation, both of which characterize GIS in most career paths.Ìý Computational geospatial skills are in high demand on campus and in local, regional and national job markets such as government employment, industry or consulting careers, and graduate school. The certificate is available for all majors and may be of particular interest for students in other earth science disciplines and social science disciplines. Non-matriculated students may enroll at CU through Continuing Education and once admitted, may apply for the certificate.

DETAILS

Certificate Intent

The undergraduate certificate in GIS and Computational Science will teach students to identify, analyze and understand spatial patterns, with an emphasis on computation and analytical problem solving. Required coursework in GIS, basic statistics, and basic programming, coupled with advanced electives in GIScience will give students the computational knowledge and skills to tackle society’s important and pressing environmental problems. The interdisciplinary nature of the certificate introduces students to the special characteristics (scale dependence, spatial autocorrelation) that complicate spatial data analysis, and offers additional programming skills relative to the basic GIS concentration. The computational emphasis will also increase students’ competitive edge in the job market and when applying to graduate school.Ìý

How to Apply

Students must apply to and be accepted into the certificate program, simply by emailing a transcript (unofficial is acceptable) to the certificate coordinator (listed below).Ìý

Program Requirements

Students must earn a C- or better in all coursework in the certificate, and may not take certificate courses Pass/Fail. The certificate requires 18-20 hours of coursework, including required courses and electives (but not including prerequisites).Ìý Core courses are offered each semester and Geography electives are offered at least once per year. Students undertaking the certificate as well as a GEOG minor can count no more than 9 credits from the GIS GEOG courses listed below toward the GEOG minor requirements.