Northern Arizona University, Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation offers an 20 unit Certificate in GIS program. This certificate complements our long-standing undergraduate degree program in GIS. It provides the opportunity for professionals to re-tool and add GIS technical skills to their abilities.

REQUIRED COURSES (20 Units)

GGR 531 (4) GIS Principles I: Foundations - Overview of computer applications in map production, including geographic information systems.

GGR 533 (4) GIS Principles II: Project Design and Implementation - Fundamentals of vector and raster geographic information systems.

GGR 535 (4) GIS Programming I: Tools and Applications - Pre-requisite: 4/533 or 4/534, or Instructor’s Consent

GGR 536 (4) GIS Programming II: DBMS and Internet GIS - Pre-requisite: 4/533 or 4/534, or Instructor’s Consent

One of:

GGR 537 (4) GIS Analysis I: Environmental Modeling - Raster ( Pre-requisite: GGR 4/535 or 4/536; Pre- or Co-requisite: STA 571 / 472)
or
GGR 538 (4) GIS Analysis II: Spatial Data Analysis - Vector (Pre-requisite: GGR 4/535 or 4/536; Pre- or Co-requisite: STA 571 / 472)

OTHER GIS-RELATED COURSES - these may be taken as electives:

GGR 522 Remote Sensing Techniques I (4) - Introductory principles of electromagnetic radiation and analysis techniques of visible and near infrared photography and imagery.

GGR 523 Remote Sensing Techniques II (4) - Analysis techniques of nonvisible remotely sensed radar and thermal imagery.

GGR 524 Remote Sensing Techniques III (2) - Field checking and verification of remote sensing imagery data.

PL 506 Public Planning Analysis (3) - Use and evaluation of computer spreadsheets and database applications and modeling for public planning applications.

PL 531 Map Analysis and Site Planning (4) - Application of computer-assisted drafting programs, such as AutoCAD, for choropleth, planimetric, topographic, and site-plan mapping.

PL 532 GIS for Planners (3) - ARCView, a desktop GIS program and its application including hot linking, tabular management, data presentation and cartography. Spatial analysis and geocoding are introduced.

GGR 689 GIS Practicum Experience (2-3)

Educational Objectives of the Program:

We expect certificate candidates to be proficient in writing, speaking and computational skills (as demonstrated by the prerequisite degree). We expect certificate candidates to be proficient in spatial skills (some map reading experience). We expect certificate candidates to be proficient in fundamentals of computer operation (some basic Windows based operating system / software experience).

During the course of the certificate program we expect students to gain the following skills:

1. To be able to transfer geographic concepts into digital representations.
2. To be able to describe and discuss the 5 basic elements of GIS.
3. To be able to describe and discuss the operating principles of both vector and raster -based GIS.
4. To demonstrate hands-on technical expertise with several different GIS software.
5. To be able to complete all phases of a full GIS project.
6. To be able to assess the accuracy and limitations of GIS.
7. To improve computer-related problem solving skills.

Upon completion of the certificate program:

1. Certificate recipients will understand basic spatial analysis especially as implemented in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology.
2. Certificate recipients will have working familiarity with the tools of GIS.
3. Certificate recipients will be prepared to use GIS in the workplace at the entry level.

Application Materials Application Form (MS Word format)

Letter of Recommendation Form (MS Word format)

This program carries a special $250 administrative fee.

Faculty and Staff Involvement:

Lennis Berlin, Ph.D., Regents Professor, specializing in remote sensing

Dawn Hawley, Ph.D., Associate Professor, specializing in GIS and public planning

Ruihong 'Ray' Huang, Ph.D., Assistant Professpr, specializing in GIS and transporation planning

Erik Schiefer, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, specializing in GIS and the physical environment

GRADUATE STUDY OPTIONS in Geography, Planning and Recreation

APPLIED GEOSPATIAL SCIENCES
MASTER OF SCIENCE
(emphasis areas in GIS, Planning & Recreation, and Custom Geography)

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
(available on campus now, and available online in Fall 2010)

COMMUNITY PLANNING
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
(coming soon - available online starting Fall 2010)

COMMUNITY PLANNING
MASTER OF ADMINISTRATION
(a fully online degree program for working professionals)

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
MASTER OF ADMINISTRATION
(coming soon - a fully online degree program for working professionals)