Nov 08, 2024  
2017-2018 SDSM&T Academic Catalog 
    
2017-2018 SDSM&T Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Geospatial Technology- Undergraduate Certificate


Contact Information

Dr. Laurie Anderson
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
MI-303
605-394-2461
E-mail: Laurie.Anderson@sdsmt.edu

Geospatial Technology

Geospatial technology is a career field that measures, visualizes, and analyzes features on the earth’s surface. It includes diverse applications such as mapping and cartography, aerial photography and satellite remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), global positional systems (GPS), geostatistics, LIDAR, photogrammetry, and geolocation. It forms an integral part of government services and industries, including natural resources management, environmental protection, architecture, urban planning, insurance, retail, marketing, agriculture, forestry, mining, petroleum, water resources, transportation, utilities, and more. It is an actively growing field with high demand for trained workers. It requires good computer skills.

Background Requirements

This certificate program is designed to enhance an individual’s existing work or academic training by building specific geospatial competencies required in the workplace. The ideal career preparation is to combine this certificate with a degree or work experience in one of the fields listed above. It is strongly recommended that persons wishing to pursue this certificate already have or will soon have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Before enrolling in any classes for this certificate, the candidate must have good computer skills including the Windows operating system, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, Internet, e-mail, and file management. Training in statistics is also recommended.

Program Requirements


The certificate consists of four required core courses. Students who have not yet achieved a bachelor’s degree will take the undergraduate (400 level) courses; students holding a bachelor’s degree may enroll in the graduate (500 level) courses. The two levels are offered simultaneously in the same classroom, but additional requirements and expectations pertain to students enrolled at the graduate level.

At least 9 credits of the certificate must be taken from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in every course, in order to earn the certificate.