Department of Geography
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing
Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements GISRSACRT
Requirements
The certificate requires at least 24 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Environmental Remote Sensing. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 336 Environmental Remote Sensing
GEOG-G 336 Environmental Remote Sensing
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Principles of remote sensing of the earth and its atmosphere, emphasizing satellite data in visible, infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Emphasis on practical applications and digital image analysis.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Geographic Information Science. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 338 Geographic Information Systems
GEOG-G 338 Geographic Information Systems
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Overview of the principles and practices of geographic information systems (GIS). The course will deal with issues of spatial data models, database design, introductory and intermediate GIS operations, and case studies of real-world GIS applications. Laboratory exercises will provide significant hands-on experience. Lecture and laboratory.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Advanced course. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 436
- GEOG-G 438 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GEOG-G 438 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- GEOG-G 338 or consent of instructor
- Description
- Covers intermediate and advanced theory in geographic information science and spatial analysis using GIS software. Provides an in-depth look into this rapidly developing field and teaches the skills needed to construct, manage, and analyze data and models.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Electives. 15 additional credit hours, selected from the Electives list.
- GEOG-G 237 Mapping our World: From Mercator to Mashups
- GEOG-G 250 Computing in the Geospatial Sciences
- GEOG-G 397 Social and Historical Geographic Information Systems
- GEOG-G 436
- GEOG-G 438 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
- GEOG-G 439 GIS and Environmental Analysis
- GEOG-G 481 Terrestrial Ecosystem Modeling
- GEOG-G 485 Geospatial Programming
- GEOG-G 488 Applied Spatial Statistics
- GEOG-G 489 Geospatial Analysis of Big Data in Python
- EAS-E 424 Geographic Information Systems Applications in Geology
- SPEA-E 418 Vector-Based Gis
- SPEA-E 419 Applied Remote Sensing of the Environment
- SPEA-V 465
GEOG-G 237 Mapping our World: From Mercator to Mashups
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Mapping lets us visualize our world and see how patterns change across places. For example, we can analyze how a bike-share program changes commuting patterns, or how urban farming emerges in a transforming city. Students learn how to develop digital maps and interpret spatial processes while gaining valuable experience with GIS software.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 250 Computing in the Geospatial Sciences
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- A first course in scientific computing that emphasizes practical applications in the geospatial and environmental sciences. Requires high-level programming using MATLAB for visualization, data analysis, and modeling. Teaches problem solving through analysis and interpretation of a wide range of environmental and geographic data.
GEOG-G 397 Social and Historical Geographic Information Systems
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Covers the ways scholars in the humanities and social sciences, such as historians, demographers, and archaeologists, have utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to answer research questions, as well as the methods and processes used to analyze the relationships between people and their environment across space and time.
GEOG-G 438 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- GEOG-G 338 or consent of instructor
- Description
- Covers intermediate and advanced theory in geographic information science and spatial analysis using GIS software. Provides an in-depth look into this rapidly developing field and teaches the skills needed to construct, manage, and analyze data and models.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 439 GIS and Environmental Analysis
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Applications of geographic information science principles in the collection and analysis of spatial data. Integration of GIS, remote sensing, and/or GPS technologies. Review of current literature on techniques, theory, technology, and applications with an emphasis on environmental issues. Discussions, laboratory, and research project.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 481 Terrestrial Ecosystem Modeling
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- R: Computer programming experience highly recommended
- Description
- Introduces the major components of terrestrial ecosystem models - the land component of earth system models that are used in climate change projections. These components include biogeochemical, hydrology, and energy cycles, as well as processes that impact ecosystems, such as disturbance, land use change, and land management.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 485 Geospatial Programming
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- R: GEOG-G 336 and GEOG-G 338
- Description
- Introduces both JavaScript and Python programming languages in conjunction with the Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS for geospatial analysis. Provides hands-on programming experience to independently solve problems in Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sending (RS) analysis, including machine learning.
GEOG-G 488 Applied Spatial Statistics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- 6 credit hours of geography or consent of instructor
- Description
- Extension of traditional statistical analysis to spatial data. Spatial means and spatial variances, the examination of differences in samples over space, spatial autocorrelation, nearest neighbor analysis, map comparison techniques. Emphasis is on practical applications.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
GEOG-G 489 Geospatial Analysis of Big Data in Python
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduces the Python programming language and the Python skills needed to perform complex geospatial data analysis and data visualization with large spatiotemporal datasets (e.g. modeling, remote sensing, or GIS data).
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
EAS-E 424 Geographic Information Systems Applications in Geology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Concepts and use of geographic information systems (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) technologies are introduced during intensive laboratory sessions. Fieldwork, conducted in the Indiana University Research and Teaching Preserve, involves mapping of pertinent features using GPS units followed by additional data collection aimed at attributing specific mapped features.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of EAS-E 424 or GEOL-G 424.
SPEA-E 418 Vector-Based Gis
- Description
- Introduction to geographic information systems using vector data structure Vector GIS capabilities and uses. Data structure and file management of spatial data. Laboratory exercises using ARC/INFO software.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
SPEA-E 419 Applied Remote Sensing of the Environment
- Description
- Applications of remotely sensed data and raster geographic information systems in environmental research. Concepts of remote sensing. Image acquisition from different sensors ranging from aerial photography to various types of satellite imagery. Image processing and analysis. Raster geographic information systems. Raster-vector integration. Concepts of spatial analysis.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
- Certificate GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- At least 9 credit hours in the certificate must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
- At least 9 credit hours in the certificate must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the certificate.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the certificate—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to certificate requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.