Three foci define research in geospatial information science. One strand of research addresses the fundamental questions of the human conceptualization of space and how geospatial information (i.e., information that can be tied to a particular location on the earth's surface) is generated, located, recorded, modeled, manipulated, and/or communicated through computer technology. A second strand of research addresses how geospatial information science and technology can be applied to real world problems across a variety of physical, environmental, and social science disciplines. A third strand of research investigates the societal implications of GIS technology on social interactions on a variety of levels, e.g., people to the environment, people-to-people, and people-to-government. The certificate program is designed to introduce students to these three strands of research, as well as provide the students hands-on training in the technology so that they may apply it in their disciplinary areas of research. To receive the certificate, students must complete, in addition to the requirements in their major program, the prerequisites and the basic and advanced topics courses listed below. Also, the student must complete a 3-credit seminar in geospatial information science that will serve as a capstone course.
