The Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences (PES) at Colorado Mesa University offers a minor and a professional certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T). These interdisciplinary programs welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds who want to develop geospatial skills and complement their studies or professional experience. Applications span fields such as environmental science, geology, biology, business, archaeology, history, and criminal justice.
The minor complements a bachelor’s degree, while the professional certificate documents completion of focused GIS&T coursework. Courses combine geographic concepts with practical skills in digital mapping, geospatial data collection, data management, and spatial analysis. The curriculum brings together four complementary areas: cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
Cartography
Cartography is the art and science of designing and producing maps to communicate geographic information. Students learn how map scale, projections, symbols, colors, and layout influence the way people interpret spatial patterns and relationships. Cartography provides the visual foundation for communicating the results of geospatial analysis.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GIS integrates software, data, and analytical methods to capture, organize, analyze, and display information associated with geographic locations. By combining layers of information, GIS helps users explore spatial relationships, identify patterns, and answer location-based questions. CMU’s coursework includes geospatial databases, data management and editing, spatial analysis, and modeling.
Remote Sensing
Remote sensing gathers information about Earth’s surface from a distance, commonly through sensors aboard satellites or aircraft. These sensors produce imagery and other data that help users examine landscapes and environmental conditions. Students learn to process and interpret remotely sensed imagery, which can be integrated with other geographic data in GIS.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
GPS uses signals from orbiting satellites to determine a receiver’s location on Earth. In GIS&T, GPS supports field mapping and the collection of geographic coordinates linked to descriptive information about features. Students learn GPS techniques for collecting data that can be incorporated into GIS maps and databases for analysis and decision-making.