The Spatial Analysis graduate certificate program prepares University of Michigan graduates for positions as spatial analysis application scientists in state and federal government agencies, private industry or consulting agencies. Coursework offered through the program leads to a Graduate Certificate in Spatial Analysis with a focus on Applied Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Quantitative Spatial Analysis.

Academic disciplines and many professions are currently undergoing dramatic changes in the ways in which they create and use geographic information. A perspective that values the spatial context of events and phenomena has gained favor in social, biological, earth, environmental and health sciences. Urban, regional, social, landscape, and natural resource planning have adopted computational tools for handling the digital geographic information on which their professions depend. Businesses value information on spatial context to minimize environmental impact and maximize market potential. The burgeoning field of geographic information science offers new perspectives, poses new questions, and provides new tools to a broad range of application areas. These dramatic changes have generated a demand for scientists, scholars, and professionals who have access to the theories, methodologies, and technologies of spatial analysis and can apply them in the chosen field of study.

Due to the interdisciplinary emphasis of the Spatial Analysis Program, required courses are offered from a variety of University of Michigan units, including Natural Resources and Environment; several departments in the College of Engineering including Atmospheric, Oceanic & Space Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science; the School of Architecture and Urban Planning; the Epidemiology program in the School of Public Health; and the School of Information.

Spatial Analysis Program Requirements

• Selection of a primary focus area from among three areas: Applied Remote Sensing, GIS or Quantitative Spatial Analysis
• Completion of three courses (normally 9 credits) within the chosen focus area, at least one of which is from a list of "foundation courses" in that area
• Consultation between student and advisor regarding selection of remaining additional courses which should aim to achieve one of three objectives: a) adding a secondary focus by taking two courses within a second focus area; b) increasing breadth by selecting courses from two of the other focus areas, or c) increasing depth by taking an additional course in the primary focus area; one of the remaining courses should be in another area.
• No more than one course may be taken from among the related information science courses
• At least one course must be taken from a unit other than the student's home unit.

At least 15 credit hours selected from a group of core courses:

1. APPLIED REMOTE SENSING
   Remote sensing core courses:
   AOSS 532 Radiative Transfer, F, 3
   NRE 541 Remote Sensing for Environmental GIS, W (even), 4
   
   Additional remote sensing courses:
   EECS 430 (AOSS 431) Radiowave Propagation and Links, W, 4
   AOSS 585 Inversion Techniques in Remote Sensing, W, 3.
   
   
2. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
   GIS core courses (only one of these two courses can be counted):
   NRE 531 Principles of Geographic Information Systems, W, 4
   UP 406 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, F, 3
   
   Additional GIS courses:
   UP 507 Geographic Information Systems, W, 3
   NRE 540 GIS in Natural Resource Applications, F, 2
   NRE 534 GIS and Landscape Modeling, F (even), 3
   
   
3. SPATIAL STATISTICS
   Spatial statistics core courses:
   CEE 570 Introduction to Geostatistics, F (2011), 3
   NRE 543 Environmental Spatial Data Analysis, F (odd), 3
   4. RELATED INFORMATION SCIENCE
   
   Students may count one of the following towards the Certificate:
   ENG 477 Principles of Virtual Reality, F, 3
   SI 654 Database Application Design, F, 3
   SI 649 Information Visualization, F, 3

Application Information

The program is available to students who are currently in a graduate program at the University of Michigan, or who have finished a post-graduate degree program from the University of Michigan within the last five years. Interested students should contact Dan Brown (danbrown@umich.edu or 734-763-5803) for questions about the curriculum or the Office of Academic Programs in the School of Natural Resources and Environment (snre.admissions@umich.edu or 734-764-6453) for application materials. In addition to application forms, GRE scores and transcripts, students are asked to submit a resume and write a one-page letter to the Steering Committee requesting admission. This letter will include the proposed course of study and, for students already in a U-M program, a signature endorsement by the student's advisor.
Application deadline for Fall admission is February 1, for Winter is October 1.

Spatial Analysis FAQ

Applicants will need the following codes to complete their application:

• Program of Application: Spatial Analysis
• Numeric Code: 01633
• Plan (Subplan): 8970 CGR

Program Level: Certificate