2020-21 Catalogs

Certificate in Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The Certificate in Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is designed to provide students and members of the professional community with geospatial technology skills. At all levels of the program, training focuses on the application of these skills in the workplace and in research environments. The certificate is open to undergraduates interested in developing GIS applications in their fields, those already holding degrees who are interested in developing GIS skills to apply to their own areas of expertise, or professionals interested in adding GIS to their lexicon of skills or retooling for a career change.

The Certificate in Applied GIS consists of three required courses and one elective, totaling a minimum of 14 credit hours. All courses will be taught at USM. For matriculated students, some courses may be transferred from other campuses within the University of Maine system, as appropriate. For matriculated students, one course may be transferred from colleges outside the University of Maine System, on a case by case basis and as approved by USM faculty teaching that course. 

In cases where students have already completed the listed course and with prior approval, alternate courses may be substituted for both requirements and electives to make up the minimum count of 14 undergraduate credits. There is a minimum residency requirement of 3 courses or 10 credit hours. Students must complete all courses with a C- or better. Geography-Anthropology majors in SCC and CNHM specializations may use only one course in the certificate toward their major requirements. Geography-Anthropology majors in the Applied GIS and Geospatial Analysis track are ineligible for the certificate. Majors in other programs should discuss similar restrictions with their advisors.

Required courses:

  • GEO 305/ GEO 505/GEO 605 Remote Sensing
  • GEO 308/ GEO 508/GEO 608 GIS Applications I
  • GEO 408/GEO 518/GEO 618 GIS Applications II

Electives:

Take at least one of the following for a minimum total of 14 undergraduate credit hours:

  • COS 160 Structured Problem Solving: Java (3 cr.) and,
  • COS 170 Structured Programming Laboratory (1 cr.) (COS 160/170 must be taken together.)
  • COS 184 Python Programming
  • GEO 340/GEO 540/GEO 640 Digital Mapping
  • GEO 445/GEO 545/GEO 645 Drone Mapping
  • GEO 458/GEO 558/GEO 658 Research Applications in GIS

These courses may either be taken alone, or some combination of the two for the total of three credits

  • GEO 438/GEO 538/GEO 638 Independent Study in GIS (1-3 cr.)
  • GEO 448/GEO 548/GEO 648 GIS Internship (1-3 cr.)