Under Review

The 2023-2024 requirements are not yet finalized and are subject to change so long as this notice is in place. While the information presented is generally reliable, you should confirm the information later this summer when requirements are finalized.

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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE NMcourse
Advanced course. One (1) course:
- GEOG-G 436 Advanced Remote Sensing: Digital Image Processing
- GEOG-G 438 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GEOG-G 436 Advanced Remote Sensing: Digital Image Processing
Credits
3
Prerequisites
GEOG-G 336 or consent of instructor
Description
Advanced remote sensing theory and digital image processing techniques with an emphasis on environmental applications. Hands-on computer exercises provide significant experience in introductory digital image processing for extraction of qualitative and quantitative information about the Earth\'s terrestrial environments.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE NMcourse
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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE 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 Advanced Remote Sensing: Digital Image Processing
- 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 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE 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 436 Advanced Remote Sensing: Digital Image Processing
Credits
3
Prerequisites
GEOG-G 336 or consent of instructor
Description
Advanced remote sensing theory and digital image processing techniques with an emphasis on environmental applications. Hands-on computer exercises provide significant experience in introductory digital image processing for extraction of qualitative and quantitative information about the Earth\'s terrestrial environments.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE NMcourse
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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE 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).
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2023CASE 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

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None

SPEA-E 419 APPLIED REMOTE SENSING OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None

SPEA-V 465 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None
Certificate GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. 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.
2. At least 9 credit hours in the certificate must be completed at the 300–499 level.
3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the certificate.
4. 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.
5. 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.