The Department of Geographical and Sustainability Science offers two undergraduate certificates: Geographic Information Science (GISci) and Sustainability.

Certificates enhance and enrich undergraduate academic programs and broaden students' opportunities for post-graduation employment or graduate studies. Certificates are interdisciplinary and draw on courses offered by multiple departments to craft a broad foundation on each subject.  

Geographic Information Science (GISci) Certificate

• requires a minimum of 18 s.h. of credit, including at least 12 s.h. earned at the University of Iowa
• The certificate may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not concurrently enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program
  • Students who major in geography (geographic information science track) or who earn a minor in geographic information science cannot earn the certificate

Geographic information systems (GIS) and the digital spatial data that they contain inform major decisions on how natural resources are managed, how smart cities are built, how communities respond to natural disasters, and how the spread of disease is detected. The certificate is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to work with geographic information and prepare individuals to work in this growing profession. The certificate course work helps build a knowledgeable geospatial workforce that understands how to use GIScience properly and applies this understanding to improve transportation systems, improve water quality, or make companies more productive. Learn more about program requirements and coursework for the GISci Certificate here.

Sustainability Certificate

• Requires 24 s.h. of credit 
• Students who major in sustainability science cannot earn the certificate
• Certificate students may count a maximum of three courses in a single department/program toward the certificate

Sustainability embraces many disciplines, methodologies, and institutional practices. Certificate students must have knowledge of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, which is represented by the program's breadth electives: dynamics of natural systems; dynamics of human systems; and communication, ethics, and interpretation. They also must have experience with analyzing real-life problems in and outside of the classroom and in working collaboratively to solve such problems. Learn more about program requirements and coursework for the Sustainability Certificate here.