2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Natural Resources, Undergraduate Certificate
The Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Natural Resources certification program is housed with the Biology Department (gvsu.edu/biology). GIS skills are highly sought-after by employers in natural resources and environmental-related fields. Such skills are used to analyze features and patterns of natural resources based on location and spatial relationships.
This certificate is designed for GVSU students who want to add credentials with their major. Students learn to apply GIS applications in areas of environmental conservation, endangered species, wildlife, forestry, fisheries, watersheds, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, climate, parks/recreation, and nature education using Global Positioning Systems and software such as ESRI ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro. Open for all majors.
Coursework
Students will complete a minimum of 12 to 13 credit hours to receive certification in GIS. Up to three credits can be transferred from another institution (subject to course content approval).
Required Courses
Students must complete the following nine credits:
- NRM 250 - Natural Resource Measurements and Mapping (3 credits)
- NRM 405 - GIS Applications in Natural Resources (3 credits) (Prerequisite: NRM 250 or GPY 307)
- NRM 450 - Applied Spatial Analysis of Natural Resources (3 credits) (Prerequisite: NRM 405 or GPY 307)
Elective Courses
Choose one of the following:
- CIS 160 - Learn to Code in Python (3 credits)
- GEO 425 - GIS Applications in Geology (3 credits) (Prerequisite: GPY 307 or NRM 405)
- GPY 370 - Introduction to Remote Sensing (3 credits)
- GPY 407 - Advanced GIS (4 credits) (Prerequisite: GPY 307)
- STA 418 - Statistical Computing and Graphics with R (3 credits) (Prerequisite: STA 215 or STA 220 or STA 312) and (STA 216 or CIS 162)
Topics
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
- Navigation and orienteering
- Remote sensing applications
- Map creation
- Spatial analyses related to the natural resource conservation and environmental management
- Story maps
- Field-based GIS