California State University, Long Beach
Reach Higher: College of Continuing and Professional Education
 

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Certificate Program

GIS is a widely available technology with applications in numerous disciplines. It is used by government agencies, corporations and non profit organizations. Developed by CSULB faculty and practicing geographers, this certificate program will give you hands-on basic skills in the technology known as Geographic Information Systems. This certificate program provides state-of-the-art GIS training.

The program is a combination of online self-paced assignments and face-to-face sessions. The program is designed to be completed in one year, although completion time will vary based on each student's ability to complete assignments. Each course requires attendance at an introductory lecture session.

Core Modules (complete all)

  • Understanding GIS
  • Problem Solving with GIS
  • Geographic Data
  • Cartographic Concepts and Map Design
  • Spatial Analysis and Modeling

Elective Modules (complete two)

These modules provide specialization in particular subject areas of GIS. The course offerings will vary and will include the following but are not limited to:

  • Business applications of GIS
  • Global Positioning Systems and GIS
  • Transportation and GIS

Who Should Attend?

  • Managers, technical professionals, and support staff responsible for managing and using GIS
  • Those considering a challenging career utilizing GIS

You Will Learn:

· How to operate and navigate geographic information system software

· How to analyze data and answer spatial questions

· How to design and generate maps to communicate results of analysis

How Do I Complete the Certificate?

  • Complete 7 modules (five core modules and two elective modules).
  • Complete the certificate project.

No make-up classes are available.

4.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided upon request as a permanent record of one's attendance, if requested by the last class meeting.

Instructors:
Frank Gossette, Josephine Jenneskens, Christopher Lee, Michael McDaniel, Robert Michaels, Lisa Pitts, Zoe Schumacher, Judith Tyner, Suzanne Wechsler, James Woods, and Brian Sims

Note

Visit our web site at www.uces.csulb.edu or email info@uces.csulb.edu for schedule updates.

Cartographic Concepts and Map Design

Effective map design is the key to effective map output from GIS. This module is a hands-on introduction to principles of effective map output from GIS. Emphasis is on the applications of cartographic design/theory and principles of the selection and design of map symbols, and the use of color.

Topics Include:

  • What makes a good map?
  • How much information should go on a map?
  • What symbols should be used on the map?
  • How to tailor a map for an intended audience

Note

Course requirements: Attendance at an introductory lecture and completion of online training and self-paced assignments.

Geographic Data

Prerequisite

Completion of the courses Understanding GIS and Problem Solving with GIS.

Instructor:
Zoe Schumacher, MA candidate CSULB. She has more than six years of experience using GIS and GPS technology. She is a GIS analyst and GPS trainer at CH2M Hill. She uses various GPS units to collect GPS data for GIS analyses under challenging and unusual conditions. She served as a research assistant on a project in Mexico where she was responsible for the project’s GPS data collection and terrain mapping, and was eventually hired by NOAA to serve as a GIS “Technician at Sea” off the coast of Monterey. Her research combines remote sensing with GIS technology.

This course emphasizes the numerous data sources and data structures available for GIS applications.

Topics Include:

  • Data processing
  • Data conversion
  • Database design

Note

Course requirements: Attendance at an introductory lecture and completion of online training and self-paced assignments.


GIS Spatial Analysis and Modeling

Prerequisite

Completion of the courses Understanding GIS and Problem Solving with GIS.

This module provides an introduction to spatial modeling and analyses. The raster data structure will be emphasized.

Topics Include:

  • Advanced geoprocessing
  • Spatial modeling
  • Terrain analysis
  • Map overlays
  • Spatial interpolation

Note

Course requirements: Attendance at an introductory lecture and completion of online training and self-paced assignments.


Problem Solving with GIS

Completion of the Understanding GIS course .

This course provides a hands-on introduction to the practical uses of GIS and emphasizes principles of GIS analysis. You will learn how GIS can be used to address basic spatial questions.

Topics Include:

  • Basic and spatial queries
  • Geoprocessing concepts and applications

Note

Course requirements: attendance at an introductory lecture and completion of online training and self-paced assignments.


Understanding GIS

This course provides a broad understanding of the state-of-the-art in Geographic Information and covers the geographic concepts upon which the technology is based. Course requirements: Attendance at an introductory lecture and completion of online training and self-paced assignments.

Topics Include:

  • Introduction to geographic information software
  • Basic concepts associated with input, storage, manipulation, and display of spatial information
  • GIS terminology
  • Design and development of a spatial database and examples of GIS in use

Note

Course requirements for all courses: Attendance at an introductory lecture and completion of online training and self-paced assignments.

Additional Information