GIS Certificate Program

Geographic Information System (GIS) and spatial reasoning are a mainstay knowledge base for working professionals in environmental science, resource management, local and regional planning, disease monitoring and evaluation, real estate, military planning, and social science research. The Juniata GIS certificate program is offered jointly by the Environmental Science and Studies and the Computer Science and Information Technology Departments. We have two tracks to prepare a student for a career in any of the GIS fields. The first track has a focus on Environmental Science. This track has more courses in field methods in GIS and spatial analysis. The second track has a focus on Information Technology. This track has more courses in programming and data mining. the certificate is open to students in all departments as well as Juniata alumni.

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Requirements for GIS (18-21 credits)

We have designed this certificate based on looking at successful programs. We have tried to match core strengths of other successful programs while differentiating ourselves based on our key strengths. The cores courses include

• Introduction to geographic information systems
• Topics in remote sensing and spatial analysis
• Quantitative methods

The ways we differentiate ourselves is through our strength in field data collection techniques for environmental sciences. We include tracks in Environmental Science and in Information Technology.  The requirements of the certification are as follows:

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QUANTITATIVE FIELD INTRO

This section requires the student to have a quantitative introductory class in their field. The requirement of this course is that it has a lab or quantitative section where Excel or other spreadsheet or database program is used to compile and represent or analyze data. 

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Complete one course from either track below:

ENVIRONMENTAL TRACK:

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IT TRACK:

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STATISTICS or DATA ANALYSIS CORE

Complete one course from either track below:

ENVIRONMENTAL TRACK:

BI-305 Biostatistics

4 CreditsN, QS, CTGESPrerequisites: BI106 or ESS100

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IT TRACK:

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GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION CORE

Take the following courses below:

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FIELD DATA COLLECTION

This section is intended to have students exposed to the vagaries of field data collection. It is preferred that students collect spatially explicit data using GPS technologies or other spatially explicit survey methods. Database manage or other courses that explore the process of data collection will also meet this requirement.

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Complete one course from either track below:

IT TRACK:

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ENVIRONMENTAL TRACK:

ESS-328 Limnology

4 CreditsNTake BI105 and BI121 and ESS100 or permission of the instructor.

ESS-340 Forestry

3 CreditsN, CTGISPrerequisites: ESS100.

ESS-345 Ichthyology

4 CreditsN, QS, CTGISPrerequisites: BI-101 or BI-105

ESS-350 Field Research Methods

3 CreditsN, CTGISPrerequisites: ESS100.

GL-240 Geological Field Methods I

4 CreditsN, CW, CTGISPrerequisite: GL100A. Note: A special course fee is assessed.

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CAPSTONE OR PROJECT REQUIREMENT

Complete one of the following tracks below:

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(OPTION 1) - IT TRACK:

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(OPTION 2) - IT TRACK:

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ENVIRONMENTAL TRACK:

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Certificate Credit Total = 18-21

Any course exception must be approved by Dr. Neil Pelkey.

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CONTACTS: