2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Environmental Remote Sensing (RS) Undergraduate Certificate
The environmental remote sensing (RS) certification program is housed within the Department of Geography and Sustainable Planning (gvsu.edu/geography). The program provides cutting-edge skills in remote sensing science, digital image processing, and big data visualization. Particular emphasis is placed on applications of remote sensing technology in environmental planning, sustainable development, climate change adaptation, urban resiliency planning, and natural resource management.
The environmental remote sensing certificate is designed for GVSU students who want to add geospatial technology skills to their major. Students learn practical applications of geospatial technologies and develop working competency in remote sensing and GIS software, such as ERDAS IMAGINE, TerrSet (IDRISI), eCognition, and ESRI ArcGIS. Open for all majors. For more information, visit our website at gvsu.edu/geography/rs-certificate.
Program Coordinator: Professor Gang Xu, Ph.D., Department of Geography and Sustainable Planning.
Reasons to Study Remote Sensing Technology
- Emerging Field
- Geospatial technology is one of the most important emerging fields in the United States according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Marketability
- Remote sensing competency offers top jobs in a wide variety of sectors.
- Competitive Edge
- Studying geospatial technologies will give students an edge over peers in the current job market.
- Practical Application
- Students will learn practical skills that will benefit their future careers.
- Flexibility
- Students can attend full- or part-time. Any major combined with this certificate creates a new hybrid skillset.
- Affordability
- Students can add an extra credential on their official transcripts with little to no additional cost.
Our alumni have found rewarding careers in positions such as environmental specialists, transportation analysts, urban planners, business GIS analysts, regional intelligence analysts, lead digital mappers, and county GIS directors.
Requirements
Students will complete a minimum of 12 credit hours to receive certification in environmental remote sensing. Up to six credits can be transferred from another institution (subject to course content approval).
Required Courses
Six credits are required, including:
Elective Courses
Take any two of the following:
- CIS 160 - Learn to Code in Python (3 credits)
- CIS 162 - Computer Science I (4 credits)
- CIS 233 - Concepts of Database Systems (3 credits)
- GEO 425 - GIS Applications in Geology (3 credits)
- GPY 307 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
- GPY 365 - GIS for Economic and Business Decision-Making (3 credits)
- GPY 385 - GIS in Urban and Regional Analysis (3 credits)
- GPY 407 - Advanced GIS (4 credits)
- NRM 250 - Natural Resource Measurements and Mapping (3 credits)
- NRM 405 - GIS Applications in Natural Resources (3 credits)
- NRM 450 - Applied Spatial Analysis of Natural Resources (3 credits)
Topics
- How remote sensing works
- Digital image processing techniques
- Satellite image interpretation
- Land use/land cover classification
- Big data visualization
- Environmental, planning, and sustainability applications