This certificate is designed to prepare individuals for positions in public and private sectors of the Remote Sensing and Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) profession. Students receive a comprehensive overview of satellite delivered remote sensing capabilities and an appreciation for broad applications in government and commercial sectors. The curriculum employs hands-on techniques for demonstrating the use and application of subject matter and includes current best-practices as well as evolving techniques. Decision-makers and analysts in federal, state, and local government as well as private industry will gain necessary skills and experience to enable them to leverage imagery and GIS products in delivering real organizational value.
Students seeking the Certificate in Remote Sensing Analysis and Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) should hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies. Students entering this program should have a basic set of computer application skills and possess good mathematical skills.
The 18 credit hours required for the certificate in Remote Sensing Analysis and Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) include the following courses:
- SPSM 5300 Remote Sensing Analysis Concepts and Geospatial Information System Technology (Requisite Course)
- SPSM 5310 Remote Sensing and Geospatial Information System Applications
- SPSM 5320 Remote Sensing and Geospatial Imagery Analysis
- SPSM 5330 Geospatial Information System (GIS) Technologies
- SPSM 5340 GPS - Position Determination and Coordinate Applications
- SPSM 5360 Practical Research in Remote Sensing Analysis and Geospatial Information Systems (Prerequisite: successful completion of all required courses in this certificate program).
Course Descriptions
SPSM 5300 Remote Sensing Analysis Concepts and Geospatial Information System Technology (3)
Introduction and overview of satellite-based remote sensing including the evolution of national and international imagery policies and the growth of the commercial industry. Practical exposure to data types, imagery manipulation applications, software tools, and future technology developments is included.
SPSM 5310 Remote Sensing and Geospatial Information System Applications (3)
Commercial and civil applications such as homeland security, emergency management, forestry, urban planning, property assessment, natural resources management, utilities, etc., from business, marketing, and management standpoints are studied. Practical application, case study, and hands-on exercises using Webster University Space Lab resources and imagery products form a significant portion of the curriculum.
SPSM 5320 Remote Sensing and Geospatial Imagery Analysis (3)
Methods for deriving economic advantage and increasing resource management effectiveness through the use of remotely sensed imagery products are studied. Basic techniques for the analysis of imagery will be combined with hands-on use of current and evolving software applications and tools.
SPSM 5330 Geospatial Information System (GIS) Technologies (3)
Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) processes and their support of integrated applications, analysis, and resource management methods are examined. Instruction includes practical application and hands-on exposure to current and evolving GIS manipulation software applications and tools available in the Webster University Space Lab.
SPSM 5340 GPS - Position Determination and Coordinate Applications (3)
This course focuses primarily on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and gives the student hands-on experience with the space-based radio navigation system. This course examines current and future GPS applications that lend themselves to use in a variety of mapping, cartography, surveying, geological formation and resource location and identification. Students may explore basic navigation, map coordinate systems, differential GPS position determination and surveying applications and then integrate this knowledge with the remote sensing applications knowledge. This course is not substitutable for SPSM 5800 GPS-Space Radio Navigation.
SPSM 5360 Practical Research in Remote Sensing Analysis and Geospatial Information Systems (3)
Focused on federal, state, local municipality and commercial cartography and mapping projects using imagery as a base. This applications course will include practical lab instruction on the primary systems for Earth projection as well as basic cartography and topography skills. The course complements previous topics by providing a synthesis of the primary applications of remotely sensed data and GIS products. The student is expected to synthesize and integrate the learning experience acquired in the certificate program and to evaluate current relevant topics. Internships or practical research projects are considered appropriate for demonstration of student research in conjunction with the completion of this course. These projects may have a direct application relative to the student's current employment or professional development for future career advancement.
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