2018-2019 Academic Catalog

Geographic Information Systems Certificate

Student Learning Outcomes:

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certification provides students with the technological tools and skills to use in their major program or other interest to:

  • communicate about spatial locations and data,
  • visualize and analyze spatial data and patterns, and
  • do spatial analysis, modeling and trending for research and problem solving.

GIS is a rapidly expanding research, problem solving and communication technique for spatial data. Often using GPS collected data or existing data from many online sources, GIS allows the making of maps as well as the application of statistics and other data analysis techniques for research in a wide variety of fields. At Carroll, programs using or exploring GIS techniques include history, theology, business, environmental studies, math, engineering, computer science, public health, health sciences, and sociology, although the research and analysis skills can be applied to any discipline that has spatial data analysis needs.

The GIS Certificate is designed, similar to a minor, to allow students from any background to add it to their degree and skill set. Unlike a minor, it does not require the students to get a major or degree to accompany it. The introductory and GIS database classes (or equivalent experience) are prerequisites for the remaining 3 classes. The 1-credit capstone project, GIS 430, must be taken concurrently with another required course: GIS 315 or GIS 316.

Certificate Program Requirements

The required classes are:

GIS 110Intro to Geographical Infomation Systems

2

GIS 220GIS Databases

3

GIS 315Spatial Analysis

3

GIS 316Raster Analysis

3

GIS 430GIS Project

1

For more information about the GIS classes or Certificate contact the Computer Science Program (Dr. Ted Wendt, twendt@carroll.edu).