University of South Florida Department of Geography

Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems

 

Introduction

The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems at the University of South Florida is directed at managers and administrators in the public and private sector, technical professionals, decision-makers, and others involved in the planning, implementation and use of Geographical Information Systems. Individuals who have recently completed formal post-secondary education in GIS-related disciplines, as well those individuals who have substantial relevant work experience and who wish to upgrade their skills, will benefit from this certificate program. The emphasis in the program is on the advanced applications of GIS and statistical methods to spatial problem solving.

By completing five fifteen-week long courses, this program helps you master advanced techniques in GIS and spatial analysis, strengthen your problem solving skills in GIS and apply your knowledge in relevant areas of application. This program is not an introductory program in GIS and it does assume that entering students are already familiar with fundamental concepts in GIS data structures, GIS analysis functionality, and have substantial experience in using at least one GIS software application. Students without this knowledge are advised to take GEO 5177 GIS for Non-majors at the University of South Florida prior to applying to the program.

The GIS Certificate Program will not just give you the opportunity to learn industry-leading software but teach you advanced skills in the applications of GIS and statistical methods to spatial problem solving.

Program Requirements

Students must complete 15 semester hours of graduate level courses, and will typically complete one course per term for a total of 5 academic terms.

One required Core Courses:

Advanced Geographical Information Systems (3 credit hours)

Plus three of the following five courses:

• Remote Sensing of the Environment (4 credit hours)

• Advanced Remote Sensing (3 credit hours)

• Environmental Applications of GIS (3 credit hours)

• Socio-economic Applications of GIS (3 credit hours)

• Spatial Statistics (3 credit hours)

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is competitive and based on academic merit and/or relevant work experience. The minimum requirements for entry into the program are:

1. a bachelors degree from an accredited university in geography or a related discipline;

2. knowledge of GIS as demonstrated by completion of one undergraduate course in GIS*, or completion of GEO 5177 GIS for Non-Majors*, or at least 1 year of recent substantial practical experience in GIS technology.

3. knowledge of introductory statistics as demonstrated by completion of one undergraduate courses in course in statistics or quantitative methods*, or completion of GEO 3164 Quantitative Methods*. The statistics requirement may be waived for admission into the program on the condition that students complete an introductory statistics course prior to taking Advanced Statistics - this means students would have to take a statistics course in their first academic term in the program (together with Advanced GIS).

*courses must have been taken within the past 5 years.

Students who have not recently taken any GIS courses and do not have any relevant working experience are strongly encouraged to take GEO 5177 GIS for Non-Majors prior to starting the program. This course is offered by the Department of Geography at the University of South Florida in both Spring and Fall terms every year (occasionally in Summer).

Admission Procedures

The Department of Geography will accept a maximum of 15 students into the program in August (Fall enrollment) and January (Spring enrollment) each year. To ensure consideration, applications to the program must be submitted by May 31st for Fall enrollment and October 31st for Spring enrollment. Admission into the program is competitive, and a selection among the applicants will be made by the Department of Geography on the basis of the information included in the application. Applications must include:

Graduate Certificate Enrollment Application

Academic transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended

Up-to-date resume

Statement of interest in the GIS certificate program and career objectives (500 words maximum)

Statement of GIS experience (only required if formal educational background in GIS is lacking)

Note: The Registrar's Office has instituted an application fee of $30.00 for all non-degree seeking student applications effective November 1, 2003. Please attach a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. currency, payable to USF. Any application received without the required fee will NOT be processed, and will be destroyed two months after being received. All application fees submitted are non-refundable.

These materials should be mailed to Ms. Stephanie Shreve, Graduate Certificate Office, Educational Outreach, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, FAO100B, Tampa, Florida 33620-6756 (telephone 813-974-2442).

Once students are accepted into the program, they are classed as 'non-degree seeking' but are given a special code by the Registrar's office that allows them to register as 1st priority (same as graduate students).

Course Offerings

Students enrolled in the GIS certificate program will be expected to enroll in and complete at least one 3-credit hour course every term. Under normal circumstances, a student should therefore be able to complete the program in 5 academic terms, but the program can be completed faster. Enrollment in each course is limited.

To accommodate the needs of the certificate students, all courses will be offered in the evenings; typically a course will meet once a week from 6 to 9 pm, with additional supervised sessions at other times during the week to work on lab assignments. Courses are scheduled in much the same way as regular graduate level courses at the University of South Florida, and follow the regular academic calendar.

Course Prerequisites

In addition to the program entrance requirements, some courses within the certificate program also have their own course prerequisites. The GIS applications courses can only be taken after completion of Advanced GIS, and Spatial Statistics can only be taken after completion of Advanced GIS and Advanced Statistical Methods. Students will therefore normally complete Advanced GIS and Advanced Statistical Methods as their first two courses in the program. In addition, Remote Sensing of the Environment should be taken before Advanced Remote Sensing.

Course Descriptions

Advanced Geographic Information System

This course will provide the foundation for the certificate program by deepening the student's understanding of GIS as well strengthening their software and problem solving skills. Students will be introduced to advanced topics, such as GIS database building, geocoding, image analysis, Global Positioning Systems, spatial analysis, and surface analysis. Students will also be exposed to an overview of GIS applications. Hands-on lab assignments and case-studies will be carried out with ArcGIS.

Advanced Statistical Methods

The course will provide the statistical knowledge, background, and expertise required to carry out more advanced analysis in GIS, remote sensing, and spatial statistics. Students will be introduced to the theory and application of several statistical techniques that have a practical significance. The course emphasizes the use of regression analysis as a tool in solving applied problems, ranging from the formulation of appropriate statistical models to the analysis and interpretation of sample data. Students carry out case studies, lab assignments, and projects that are based on real-world data and involve the use of the S-Plus software application.

Remote Sensing of the Environment and Advanced Remote Sensing

The Remote Sensing of the Environment course provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of remote sensing. The advanced course covers more detailed theories and application of remote sensing, and will provide students with knowledge of advanced digital image processing techniques. Students will develop the skill to process imagery (compiled from different sources, rectified and classified), create sensitivity layers and import them into GIS for analysis and modeling (for example, time series analysis). Advanced digital image processing techniques will be introduced, such as pattern recognition, neural networks and knowledge-based expert systems.

 

Students will work with satellite and other imagery in a variety of applications.

Environmental Applications of GIS

This course will cover a number of GIS applications in areas such as agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, water resources, oil & mineral exploration, coastal resources, and environmental assessment. Students will be introduced to a number of case-studies to explore the wide range of GIS application, but gain depth in selected areas through hands-on projects. Advanced GIS techniques will be used relevant to the specific applications.

Socio-economic Applications of GIS

This course will cover a number of GIS applications in such areas as urban and regional planning, geo-demographic analysis, transportation, and public health. Students will be introduced to a number of case-studies to explore the wide range of GIS applications, but gain depth in selected areas through hands-on projects. Advanced techniques will be used relevant to the specific applications.

Spatial Statistics

This course applies advanced statistical methods to spatial data. Methods related to geostatistical modeling, spatial regression modeling, and point pattern analysis will be introduced and implemented through GIS and statistical software.

Note: the following courses are under development and will be added to the curriculum shortly: Spatial Database Development, Programming for GIS, Water Resources Applications of GIS, and Global Positioning Systems.

Relationship to Masters Programs

The Department of Geography also offers a Masters program in geography. Students enrolled in the Masters program may also apply for admittance into the certificate program. In this case, common courses can be credited towards both programs but students must comply with the specific requirements of each program. It should be noted that the department only allows up to 9 hours of credit earned as a certificate-seeking student to be applied toward a graduate degree. Admission into the Certificate Program does not imply admission into the Masters program or vice-versa.

GIS facilities at the University of South Florida

The Department of Geography operates a state-of-the-art GIS laboratory facility. Students enrolled in certificate courses will have full access to these facilities outside of scheduled classes. The University of South Florida has a site license for ESRI software, and students will be able to use the most up-to-date GIS and remote sensing software. Students will use ArcGIS, the industry-leading GIS software. This includes ArcView, ArcInfo, and a wide range of related analytical tools. Students will also have access to ERDAS Imagine software for remote sensing, statistical analysis software and GPS equipment.

Your Instructors

All 4 instructors are full-time faculty members of the Department of Geography.

Jayajit Chakraborty completed his PhD in Geography in 1999 at the University of Iowa. He also holds a masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning. His research focuses on the application of GIS technology to examine socially relevant issues and problems, with a specific emphasis on community vulnerability to chemical hazards. His areas of expertise include technological hazards, environmental justice, and spatial epidemiology.

Barnali Dixon completed her PhD in Environmental Dynamics at the University of Arkansas in 2001. She also holds a masters degree in Geography with emphasis in GIS and Remote Sensing. Her areas of research interests include the advancement of environmental modeling through enhancement of remotely sensed data (image processing) and GIS using fuzzy logic, neural networks and neuro-fuzzy techniques.

Steven Reader completed his PhD in Geography in 1989 at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. He has 12 years experience teaching GIS at the undergraduate and graduate levels and has research interests in applying GIS to public health issues, crime patterns, and marketing research studies.

Jianguo Ma

Remote Access to Course Materials

All certificate courses will have a course website where most of the course materials can be accessed at any time from anywhere with internet access. However, the courses are not distance education courses and participation in all scheduled class sessions is essential for completing the courses. Remote access to course materials will allow students to prepare better for class sessions and carry out some assignments at a location of their choice.

Approach to Teaching GIS

combination of lectures, case-studies, hands-on lab assignments and projects

small class sizes with individual instructor attention

supervised GIS lab sessions outside of regular class hours

extensive access to GIS lab (currently 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week, outside of scheduled classes)

use of a wealth of learning resources

In addition to the USF courses, students enrolled in the program will also have free access to a selection of ESRI Virtual Campus courses to upgrade their software skills. Please note that the USF courses emphasize analytical skills and the ability to apply concepts to projects and case studies. While students will have the opportunity to become proficient in various software programs (ArcGIS in particular), this is not the first priority behind the design of the courses.
 

For further information about the GIS Graduate Certificate program please contact: