College of Letters and Science Faculty Document No. 717
October 13, 2005

Recommendation of the Geography Department and the L&S Academic Policies and Curriculum Committee to Approve a Graduate Certificate in Geographical Information Systems (Offered Jointly with the Department of Urban Planning)

Recommendation:

That the L&S Faculty approve the request of the Geography Department to partner with the Department of Urban Planning in offering the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, as outlined below.

Rationale:

This is an existing certificate that currently is offered by the Department of Urban Planning alone. The proposed changes in the requirements make it possible for a student to take the majority of his/her course work in the Department of Geography. In addition, the Geography Department cooperates with Urban Planning in offering the courses that will satisfy certificate requirements. GIS is an integral part of the discipline of geography. Therefore, it makes sense that the GIS certificate should be offered and granted jointly by the College of Letters and Science and the School of Architecture and Urban Planning. This action makes Geography a full partner in this certificate program.

Action CHANGE
Certificate Urban Geographic Information Systems
Level of Certificate Graduate Only
New Level of Certificate Same
UM-MILWAUKEE ONLINE PROGRAM CHANGE FORM

1. Current
   
   Certificate in Urban Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
   
   The Certificate in Geographic Information Systems is designed for those individuals seeking careers as GIS specialists, providing geographic data management, spatial analysis, and GIS system management support to professionals in a broad range of disciplines, such as criminal justice, health services, city and regional planning, civil and environmental engineering, transportation, and marketing. Certificate holders will seek employment in positions such as "GIS Specialist," "GIS Analyst," or "GIS Coordinator."
   
   The program includes 12 credits of core courses on the structure of geographic data, components for managing geographic information systems, spatial analysis, and delivery of geographic information through maps and displays. An additional 6 credits of electives are taken in coursework to remote sensing, map-making, data management systems, or internship.
   
   Upon completion of the certificate courses, a student is awarded the certificate which qualifies for 5 credential points in the GIS Certification Institute's standards for professional certification in GIS.
   
   Application and Admission
   
   Students interested in the UGIS Certificate should contact the Department of Urban Planning. Those who are not already admitted to a UWM graduate degree program must submit a graduate non-degree application form and an official undergraduate transcript to the Graduate School. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or a graduate degree to be accepted into the certificate program.
   
   For international applicants, whose first language is not English, a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 600 (250 on the computer-based version) or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 must also be submitted.
   
   Credits and Courses
   
   Required Courses (12 credits)
   UrbPlan 791, Introduction to Urban Geographic Information Systems for Planning (3 crs.)
   UrbPlan 792, Using Urban Geographic Information Systems for Planning (3 crs.)
   UrbPlan 793, Applied Projects in Urban Geographic Information Systems (3 crs.)
   UrbPlan 794, Internet Geographic Information Systems (3 crs.)
   
   Elective Courses (6 credits)
   Geog 403, Remote Sensing: Environmental and Land Use Analysis (4 crs.)
   Geog 405, Introductory Cartography (4 crs.)
   Geog 525, Geographic Information Science (4 crs)
   Bus Adm 749, Data Management Systems (3 crs.)
   UrbPlan 991, Legislative/Administrative Agency Internship (3 crs.)
   UrbPlan 999, Independent Study (1-3 crs.)
   
   
2. Proposed Change Summary
   
   
   1. Delete the word "Urban" from the certificate name.
   2. Expand and change the certificate requirements with regards to required and elective courses (no change in total credits).
   3. Officially recognize that the certificate is jointly offered by the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, and the College of Letters and Science.
   4. Require a minimum of 6 credits each from Geography and Urban Planning for certificate completion.
      
      
3. Effects
   
   Additional Faculty Required
   
   Four-Year Faculty Needs
   
   Library Resources
   
   Required Additional Facilities and Equipment
   
   Program Costs
   
   Resource Reallocation
   
   
4. Justification
   
   
   1. Reflect the addition of new GIS courses that are appropriate for the certificate, but do not necessarily have an "urban" focus.
   2. Reflect the addition of new GIS courses that are appropriate for the certificate, but do not necessarily have an "urban" focus.
   3. The restructuring of the curriculum increases the role of Geography in offering the certificate to a level equal to that of Urban Planning, so it is appropriate that the certificate be offered and awarded jointly.
   4. Since the certificate will be jointly offered, it is appropriate that a minimum number of credits be required from each of the sponsoring units.
      
      
5. New Copy
   
   Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
   
   The Certificate in Geographic Information Systems is designed for those individuals seeking careers as GIS specialists, providing geographic data management, spatial analysis, and GIS system management support to professionals in a broad range of disciplines, such as criminal justice, health services, city and regional planning, civil and environmental engineering, transportation, and marketing. Certificate holders will seek employment in positions such as "GIS Specialist," "GIS Analyst," or "GIS Coordinator."
   
   The School of Architecture and Urban Planning, and the College of Letters and Science jointly offer the certificate. The core courses (12 credits) focus on the structure of geographic data, components for managing geographic information systems, spatial analysis, and delivery of geographic information through maps and displays. Students select the remaining 6 credits for the certificate from electives, which may include an internship, in areas such as remote sensing, map-making, and data management systems.
   
   Upon completion of the certificate courses, a student is awarded the certificate which qualifies for 5 credential points in the GIS Certification Institute's standards for professional certification in GIS.
   
   Application and Admission
   
   Students interested in the GIS Certificate should contact the Department of Urban Planning or the Department of Geography. Those who are not already admitted to a UWM graduate degree program must submit a graduate non-degree application form and an official undergraduate transcript to the Graduate School. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or a graduate degree to be accepted into the certificate program.
   
   For international applicants, whose first language is not English, a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 600 (250 on the computer-based version) or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 must also be submitted.
   
   Credits and Courses
   
   A minimum of 6 credits each in Urban Planning and Geography courses are required for completion of the certificate.
   
   Required Courses (12 cr)
   
   Tier 1 (select one course)
   URBPLAN 791, Introduction to Urban Geographic Information Systems for Planning
   GEOG 525, Geographic Information Science
   
   Tier 2 (select one course)
   URBPLAN 792, Using Urban Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Planning
   GEOG 625, Intermediate Geographic Information Science
   
   Tier 3 (select two courses)
   URBPLAN 793, Applied Projects in Urban Geographic Information Systems
   URBPLAN 794, Internet Geographic Information Systems
   GEOG 725, Advanced Geographic Information Science: Geographic Modeling
   GEOG 734, GIS and Society
   
   Elective Courses (6 cr)
   URBPLAN 771, Transportation Policy and Planning
   URBPLAN 991, Legislative/Administrative Agency Internship
   URBPLAN 999, Independent Study
   BUSADM 749, Data Management Systems
   GEOG 403, Remote Sensing: Environmental and Land Use Analysis
   GEOG 405, Cartography
   GEOG 547, Spatial Analysis
   GEOG 698, GIS/Cartography Internship
   GEOG 703, Advanced Remote Sensing
   GEOG 750, Remote Sensing and Urban Analysis
   GEOG 960, Seminar: Geographic Techniques
   Other courses as approved by the GIS Certificate Subcommittee
   
   
6. Proposed Effective Date
   
   Fall 2005-2006
   
   
7. Comment
   
   
8. Approval
   
   
   

Comment from GFC Approved 5/16/05 as GFC Document 995. The Graduate School concurs with this action.

Vice Chancellor's Signature _______________________________

Date ______________________________________________