This is the first version of the 2025–26 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science requires a minimum of 19 s.h. of credit, including at least 12 s.h. earned at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in work for the certificate. Courses taken pass/nonpass do not count toward the certificate.
The certificate is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to work with geographic information and prepare individuals to work in this growing profession. The certificate coursework helps build a knowledgeable geospatial workforce that understands how to use geographic information science properly and applies this understanding to improve transportation systems, improve water quality, or make companies more productive.
The certificate may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program. Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) students may earn the certificate when the undergraduate classification is primary.
Students who are interested in a specialization in geographic information systems, in remote sensing, or those who seek a more general background may want to select certain options when they plan their certificate coursework. For more information, contact the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability.
Students must complete all of a course's prerequisites before they register for the course.
The Certificate in Geographic Information Science requires the following coursework.
Core Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| SEES:2050 | Foundations of GIS | 4 |
| SEES:3500/IGPI:3500 | Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| SEES:3540/IGPI:3540 | Geographic Visualization | 3 |
Geographic Analysis Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| At least one of these: | ||
| SEES:3050/IGPI:3050 | Geospatial Programming | 3 |
| SEES:4500/IGPI:4500 | Advanced Remote Sensing | 4 |
| SEES:4580/IGPI:4581 | Introduction to Geographic Databases | 3 |
Application Electives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| At least two of these: | ||
| SEES:1035 | Our Digital Earth | 3 |
| SEES:3520/IGPI:3520 | GIS for Environmental Applications | 3 |
| SEES:3570 | Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR): Principles and Applications | 3 |
| SEES:4150/GHS:4150/IGPI:4150 | Health and Environment: GIS Applications | 3 |
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Geographic Information Science, Certificate
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| The undergraduate certificate in geographic information science requires a minimum of 19 s.h. of credit, including at least 12 s.h. earned at the University of Iowa. | ||
| Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in work for the certificate. | ||
| Courses taken pass/nonpass do not count toward the certificate. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Spring | ||
| SEES:2050 | Foundations of GIS | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SEES:3500 | Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| SEES:3540 | Geographic Visualization | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Certificate: geographic analysis elective a | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Certificate: application elective b | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Certificate: application elective b | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
- a
- Choose from SEES:3050, SEES:4500, SEES:4580.
- b
- Choose from SEES:1035, SEES:3520, SEES:3570, SEES:4150.