Academic micro-credentials help students showcase a specific set of skills and experiences attained while at Eastern Michigan University. The micro-credential curriculum creates a pathway for student learning and knowledge creation to capture/acknowledge a student’s interdisciplinary learning beyond traditional University structures. Having satisfied all micro-credential curriculum requirements, a student is awarded a digital badge that is officially noted on the student’s academic transcript.

Geographic information systems (GIS), or geospatial technologies, create, analyze, and manage geospatial data and maps. These applications use advanced technology to capture, store, and analyze information about the earth’s environments and man-made features. Cartographers, civil engineers, environmental scientists, transportation specialists, urban information analysts, and other professionals can use GIS to make maps and predict changes in their specific domains. Many companies and industries use GIS to gather data and improve products and services. GIS can also help locate and track points of interest in cities and improve navigation applications. GIS and related technologies have created numerous employment positions in which professionals need advanced GIS knowledge and experience. Students who complete the geospatial technologies micro-credential (GTMC) program are expected to master the following knowledge and skills as their learning outcomes:

1. Geographic concepts (world coordinate systems, map scale/projections, sea level/elevation)
2. Map design (cartographic, interactive maps, web-based GIS, and GIS dashboard),
3. Geodatabases (importing spatial and attribute data, geocodes, table joins, spatial joins, data aggregation, and map queries)
4. Creation of new spatial data (digitizing, geocoding, and dissolving vector features)
5. Spatial data processing (clipping, merging, appending, joining, and dissolving)
6. Spatial analysis (proximity analysis, risk surface, site suitability, and spatial data mining)
7. Internship projects (resume writing, soft skills, interviewing techniques, creation of an online portfolio, ArcGIS Pro skills for solving real-world projects)

There are two tracks:

1) Dual-enrollment tract: this track includes two courses:

GEOG 101 (3 hours) – Introduction to GIS (ArcGIS Pro Fundamentals)

This course emphasizes the basics of GIS and introduces students to the fundamentals of ArcGIS Pro. No prior knowledge or experience with GIS is required.

GEOG 201 (3 hours) – Fundamentals of GIS Analysis (Mapping,Visualization, Analysis and Management of Geospatial Data)

This course emphasizes using ArcGIS Pro software for mapping, visualization, analysis, and management of geospatial data. The prerequisite is GEOG 101 or equivalent (with the instructor’s permission).

2) On-campus track: this tract includes one course:

GEOG 276 Principles of Geographic Information Systems (3 hours)

Introduction to the concept of computer mapping. Accessing online sources of spatial data; creating digital maps and charts using online data sources; vector and raster data models, spatial data entry and editing; coordinate systems and methods of geo-referencing digital maps; elementary database management and spatial analysis. (Required for GIS minors and Urban and Regional Planning majors. Also suggested for teachers who would like to incorporate digital mapping into their teaching. Appropriate for all other disciplines using spatial mapping.)