Department of Geography and GIS
Chair: James M. Dunn, Ph.D.
Location: Candelaria 2200
Telephone: 970.351.2715
Faculty: Karen S. Barton, Ph.D.; Charles O. Collins, Ph.D.; David M. Diggs, Ph.D.; James P. Doerner, Ph.D.; James M. Dunn, Ph.D.; Katherine M. Johnson, Ph.D.; Phil Klein, Ph.D.; Jessica Salo, Ph.D.
The Geospatial Technology field is considered a high growth industry by the United States Department of Labor. The Department of Labor's High Growth Profile report states the market for geospatial technology is "growing at an annual rate of almost 35 percent, with the commercial subsection expanding at the rate of 100 percent each year". This has produced a dramatically growing demand for GISci specialists. The ever expanding sophistication required for GISci positions has encouraged both graduating undergraduates and working professionals to seek out advanced geospatial training.
Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science
The Geospatial Technology field is considered a high growth industry by the United States Department of Labor. The Department of Labor's High Growth Profile report states the market for geospatial technology is "growing at an annual rate of almost 35 percent, with the commercial subsection expanding at the rate of 100 percent each year". This has produced a dramatically growing demand for GISci specialists. The ever expanding sophistication required for GISci positions has encouraged both graduating undergraduates and working professionals to seek out advanced geospatial training.
The term Geographic Information Science (GISci) includes the closely related fields of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Cartography and Geovisualization, and several other sub fields. The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GISci) program provides students advanced level experience in Geographic Information Science software, techniques, and applications. Increasingly industry practitioners are asking their GISci technicians and analysts to have a higher level of skills. The GISci program assures that students have experience and advanced knowledge in four core sub sectors of the GISci industry:
- Advanced geospatial analysis techniques;
- Basic and advanced geospatial programming skills;
- The ability to develop and manage Web GIS projects; and
- The development and management of large geospatial databases in a secure environment.
Students admitted to the program who have not completed a baccalaureate degree in a related discipline with sufficient course work in GIS can expect prerequisite and quantitative deficiency courses to be added to their plan of study. At a minimum, the equivalent, through course work or professional experience of GEOG 307 must be completed before enrolling in any of the required courses for the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science. Deficiency course requirements will be determined by the program faculty.
For Certificate Requirements:
See "Geographic Information Science Graduate Certificate"