Geospatial Information Science Graduate Certificate
Coordinator: Austin Troy
Email: austin.troy@ucdenver.edu
Academic Advisor: Roxy New
Email: mailto:roxy.new@ucdenver.edu
Introduction
Geospatial Information Science (GIS), known to some as computer mapping, addresses the storage, management, analysis, synthesis, and display of spatial data and information. Disciplines in the College of Architecture and Planning use GIS to analyze and understand the spatial nature of data, to answer place-based questions posed by stakeholders and clients, and to create planning- and research-oriented maps and analyses that are critical to communicating with stakeholders.
This certificate program is intended for individuals with an interest in the application of GIS to design and planning issues. It is open to both currently enrolled students in a University of Colorado degree program who wish to add a credential to their degree, as well as professionals who are not enrolled as degree-seeking students but who wish to pursue a certificate to improve job skills.
Students who earn this Certificate through the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver will exit the program with the following:
- An understanding of GIS theory and concepts
- Technical mastery of general GIS methods using ArcGIS Pro and other GIS platforms as well as familiarity with remote sensing
- Familiarity with common public geospatial data sources, as well as metadata standards
- Knowledge of data interoperability, including how to move data and maps from one software platform to another
- Specialized skills in geospatial technologies and methods related to the design and planning professions, including rendering and visualizations, infrastructure and transportation network analysis, property mapping, LiDAR-based 3D city modeling, Census data mapping and analysis, process automation, site selection and analysis, social equity analysis, geodesign, and many others
A minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all GIS related course work is required to earn the GIS Certificate, and for certificate credit a B- or better is required in all GIS certificate courses.
Eligibility, Application, and Tuition and Fee Information
Applicants already enrolled in a University of Colorado degree program need only submit an internal application to the CAP GIS certificate program. Applicants who are not currently enrolled in a degree program must apply to CU Denver as non-degree seeking students.
All interested program participants must complete one of the online application forms found on the CAP website. Failure to submit an official application may result in the inability for CAP to officially award the certificate upon student completion.
Materials required for all applicants:
- A short statement of interest (250-500 words) explaining previous work and/or educational experience with GIS, and how this certificate will assist in current or future career or personal goals
- Unofficial transcripts (if not already admitted to CU Denver)
Find tuition and fee information in the Bursar's Office area of the university website.
Students interested in pursuing the GIS Certificate may start the conversation with the Program Coordinator, Austin Troy or the Program Academic Advisor, Roxy New
Course Requirements
The GIS Certificate is designed to supplement students' course work in their field of study and requires 18 credits to complete. Degree seeking students in the College of Architecture and Planning wishing to pursue the GIS Certificate may count 6 credits from their degree-based course of study towards the certificate, meaning that there are 12 additional semester hours of course work required to complete the certificate beyond the total credit hour amount for their degree.
Achieving the GIS certificate in your degree program requires you to follow the appropriate advising sheet.
- Master of Landscape Architecture - GIS Advising Sheet
- Master of Urban and Regional Planning - GIS Advising Sheet
Urban Regional Planning Track:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Introductory GIS Class | ||
| URPL 6250 | GIS for Urban Planning | 3 |
| Part 2: Advanced GIS Methods Class | ||
| URPL 6260 | Advanced Geo-Spatial Methods | 3 |
| Part 3: Remote Sensing | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Remote Sensing I: Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing II: Advanced Remote Sensing | ||
| Part 4: Specialized Advanced Classes | ||
| Select 9 semester hours of the following: | 9 | |
| Applied Spatial Statistics | ||
| Cartography | ||
| GIS Applications for the Urban Environment | ||
| FOSS4G Systems Integration | ||
| Environmental Modeling with Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Open Source Software for Geospatial Applications | ||
| GIS Programming and Automation | ||
| Deploying GIS Functionality on the Web | ||
| Hazard Mitigation and Vulnerability Assessment | ||
| GIS Applications in the Health Sciences | ||
| Geospatial Data Development | ||
| GIS Relational Database Systems | ||
| Interactive Web Mapping GIS | ||
Any course from the Part 3 list (either track) not already used to fulfill the Part 3 requirement | ||
Up to 3 semester hours from a studio course where intensive GIS is used. | ||
Up to 3 semester hours for an internship using GIS in a planning or design context, also by petition. | ||
Other relevant courses by permission | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Landscape Architecture Track:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Introductory GIS Classes | ||
| LDAR 5540 | Introduction to GIS | 3 |
| GEOG 5081 | Cartography | 3 |
| Part 2: Advanced GIS Methods Class | ||
| URPL 6260 | Advanced Geo-Spatial Methods | 3 |
| Part 3: Remote Sensing | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Remote Sensing I: Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing II: Advanced Remote Sensing | ||
| Part 4: Specialized Advanced Classes | ||
| LDAR 6840 | Independent Study | 3 |
| Select 3 semester hours of the following: | 3 | |
| Applied Spatial Statistics | ||
| FOSS4G Systems Integration | ||
| Cartography | ||
| GIS Applications for the Urban Environment | ||
| Environmental Modeling with Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Open Source Software for Geospatial Applications | ||
| GIS Programming and Automation | ||
| Deploying GIS Functionality on the Web | ||
| GIS Applications in the Health Sciences | ||
| Geospatial Data Development | ||
| GIS Relational Database Systems | ||
Any course from the Part 3 list (either track) not already used to fulfill the Part 3 requirement | ||
| Interactive Web Mapping GIS | ||
Other relevant courses by permission | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |