Sep 20, 2024  
2024-2025 General Catalog [Current] 
    
2024-2025 General Catalog [Current]

Geographic Information Systems (Certificate)

Location(s): Main Campus



Program Summary

Our GIS courses and laboratory service a wide range of departments, degree programs, and affiliated organizations within the SUU campus and the neighboring communities. These courses and the laboratory provide practical, hands-on experience in geospatial technologies. The GIS program and laboratory are equipped with the latest technology, hardware, and software. Additionally, the GIS lab offers students service-learning opportunities through local and regional projects as well as internships.

The GIS program’s mission is to equip individuals with the skills to seamlessly incorporate geospatial technologies into their studies across various disciplines. We create a learning environment that encourages undergraduate research. Our mission’s effectiveness is underpinned by the program’s diversity and the interdisciplinary essence of geospatial technologies.

Geographic Information Systems Certificate Requirements

The GIS certificate program was designed with an interdisciplinary focus, which allows the integration of GIS into many four-year degrees across campus. This certificate can either be pursued as a standalone program, typically completed within a two-year timeframe, or seamlessly incorporated into a four-year course of study.

Program Information

  • All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the certificate.

Certificate Completion

This certificate program may be completed independently and does not require enrollment in or completion of any degree program to be awarded.

Geographic Information Systems Curriculum (28 Credits)


Total Credits, Certificate: 28


Program Learning Outcomes


  • Student will be able to demonstrate their understanding of geographic information systems, theories, principles, and procedures (data formats, relational database concepts, geoprocessing methods and procedures).
  • Student will be able to demonstrate their understanding of work flows for project creation/collection, data editing/manipulation, data geoprocessing/analysis, and output/presentation, both hard and soft copy.
  • Student will be able to demonstrate their understanding of skills related to field collection using GPS, smart phones, web-based mapping resources and integration into GIS.
  • Student will be able to demonstrate their understanding of remote sensing concepts/processing methods and/or programming/automated flow methods with iterations and/or UAV collection and image manipulation.