Geographic Information Science Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions:
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What is GIS? What does GSS stand for?
Geographic Information Science or Systems. See more information here: and here:
GSS stands for geospatial sciences. It includes GIS, remote sensing and land surveying.
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Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information without physically being there.
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What GIS programs are offered at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ?
We have a four year undergraduate degree in geospatial sciences (GSS). In addition, we have a GIS certificate program. Both are housed in the Department of Geography and Anthropology. |
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Who is the contact for the GSS degree? Who is the contact person for the GIS certificate?
Dr. Ranbir Kang is the program coordinator for the GSS degree program. Professor Uli Ingram oversees the GIS certificate. |
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What is the difference between the GSS degree and the GIS certificate?
The GSS major is a 4 year degree resulting in a Bachelor of Science. It includes many
geospatial courses, as well as the full set of general education courses, and concentration
courses. The GIS certificate consists of 4 courses and a practicum. It can be completed
in 1 year. It is offered online and in-person. |
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Do you offer remote sensing courses?
Yes, students can take SURV 3320, SURV 3451 or GEOG 4410 which are remote sensing
courses. |
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Who teaches the GIS and remote sensing courses at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ?
Professor Erinn Bariteau, Professor Dan Branham, Professor Uli Ingram, Dr. Ranbir
Kang, Dr. Mark Patterson, Dr. Nancy Hoalst Pullen, Dr. Allen Roberts, Dr. Jun Tu,
and Dr. Mostafa Arastounia. |
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Do you offer online GIS courses?
Yes, we offer many of our GIS courses online. It is possible to complete the certificate
completely online and the GIS degree mostly online, with just a few in-person classes. |
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Do you offer any upper level GIS courses in the summer?
It depends on the availability of the professors, and the demand of the students. |
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What software is used in the GIS and remote sensing courses?
We use mostly ESRI products including ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and
ArcGIS Server in the GIS courses. In the remote sensing courses Idrisi or ArcGIS Pro
is used. |
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Where can I get/use GIS software?
аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ GIS students have access to the GIS software through a remote connection (available
24/7), or they can go to the Kennesaw campus to work in the GIS lab in-person. |
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I have taken several ESRI software training classes online. Does that qualify as an
introductory GIS course?
Usually it does not. Feel free to contact Professor Ingram if you have any questions. |
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Can I transfer courses from other universities?
Most likely yes. The transfer credit will be evaluated during the admissions process. |
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Is it required to complete an internship?
GSS majors are required to complete an internship (GIS 3398), GIS certificate students
are required to complete a practicum (GIS 4415).
The prerequisite for GIS 4415 is Geog 4405 or Geog 4500 and permission of the GSS program coordinator.
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What is the difference between an internship and a practicum?
The practicum can be completed on-campus or off-campus, internships are off-campus.
The practicum is only 3 credit hours whereas the internship is 6-9 credit hours. Otherwise
they are very similar. |
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What do I need to do before I can do the internship or practicum?
The pre-requisites are GEOG 4405 or GEOG 4500. You need to schedule a meeting with
the internship/practicum coordinator the semester before your internship. To do so,
you need to contact Dr. Nancy Pullen at npullen@kennesaw.edu. Once you have found an internship, you need to submit a proper job description from
the company or organization to the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ GSS internship coordinator.
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How do I earn credit for my internship or practicum?
You need to register for 6 hours of GIS 3398 (if you are a GSS major). You need to
register for 3 hours of GIS 4415 (if you are pursuing the certificate).
The prerequisite for GIS 4415 is GEOG 4405 or GEOG 4500 and permission of the GSS
Internship Coordinator.
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How many hours will I work at the internship/practicum?
For every credit hour that you are registered, you will work 50 hours. For example,
if you take 6 hours of GIS 3398, you will work 300 hours. |
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How do I find out about internships/practicum opportunities?
We send out opportunities to the GIS student mailing list. Once you take the first GIS course, you will be subscribed to our mailing list. |
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What career opportunities are available for students/graduates with GIS skills?
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Is there an employment placement program offered for graduates of the certificate
or degree program?
No, but we send emails about many GIS jobs to our student and alumni mailing lists.
You can also check the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Career Services website and the handshake app for job listings. |
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Where do GIS students usually do their internship or practicum?
There are many companies and organizations that use GIS, such as city and county governments,
utility companies, engineering companies, environmental companies, etc. Examples of
previous internship sites are: City of Woodstock, City of Roswell, City of Alpharetta,
Bartow County, Cobb County, Georgia DOT, National Park Service, USGS, Davey Resource
Group, Edwards-Pitman, Intermx, Wood, Southern Company, Atlanta Gas Light. |
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Is there any financial support for conference registration and accommodations to present
a poster at a conference?
Yes, there is sometimes, if you are presenting at a conference. We send out reminders
of deadlines for financial support for travel through the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Office of Undergraduate
Research. |
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How do I subscribe to the GIS student listserv?
. Then click on Subscribe. You will receive an email to confirm your subscription. |
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If I want to subscribe to the GIS student listserv, do I need to use my аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ email
address?
It is up to you. You may use your аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ email, or an external one. |
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GSS Degree Questions:
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Where do I find details about the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ GSS degree?
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How do I declare GSS as my major?
Once you have been admitted to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ, you will be able to log into You will declare your major under Student Records. |
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What do I need to do if I want to change my major to GSS?
You can change your major in . You will change your major under Student Records. |
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Is the GSS degree available fully online?
No, it is not. There are quite a few GSS and concentration classes that are offered
online, but not every single one. |
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How do I receive the IS certificate that is embedded in the GIS degree?
If you are pursuing the Information Systems concentration, then you will be able to
complete the IS Certificate without taking any additional courses. |
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Please contact Christine Jacobs (cjacob36@kennesaw.edu) if you have any questions or would like advising help.
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Is there a maximum or minimum number of allowable internship credits?
GSS majors are required to complete 6 credit hours of GIS 3398, but can complete as
many as 9 credit hours. |
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Are there opportunities for undergraduate research?
Yes, students interested in undergraduate interest may take GIS 4100 – a directed applied research study. |
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Directed Applied Research. This is usually a 3 credit hour course where a student
works with a professor on a faculty-led research project. Please contact the professors
directly if you are interested in doing a DAR. See a listing of all the professors. |
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Which professors offer DARs?
Many of the GIS and geography professors offer DAR opportunities. Some require GIS
skills, and can be completed for upper level GIS course credit. Others are geography
focused, and might work for credit for the human/environmental systems concentration. |
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You need to contact the professor you want to work with the semester before the semester
you would like to complete the DAR. Once the professor has agreed to do the DAR with
you, a GIS 4100 section will be created that you can then register for. |
GIS Certificate Questions:
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Where do I find details about the certificate program?
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Is the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ GIS certificate a stand-alone certificate or an embedded certificate?
You may either pursue just the GIS certificate at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ, or you may pursue a major and add on the GIS certificate. |
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Is the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ GIS Certificate recognized by the Board of Regents?
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I am currently a student at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ. How do I enroll in the certificate?
For more information on specific classes, see our .
Undergraduate students will need to be admitted as a regular student and select the certificate which they wish to pursue. Students already admitted, need to go to Owl Express and select the certificate they would like to pursue in the change/major application.
If you are pursuing only the GIS certificate (and not a degree at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ), please follow the steps below to be admitted to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ as an "Adult/Non-Traditional" student pursuing the GIS certificate.
How to apply to graduate with the GIS certificate
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I am not currently a student at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ. How do I enroll in the certificate?
Undergraduate students will need to be admitted as a regular student and select the certificate which they wish to pursue. Students already admitted, need to go to Owl Express and select the certificate they would like to pursue in the change/major application.
If you are pursuing only the GIS certificate (and not a degree at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ), please follow the steps below to be admitted to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ as an "Adult/Non-Traditional" student pursuing the GIS certificate.
How to apply to graduate with the GIS certificate
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When can I start the GIS certificate?
You can start any semester. We offer course work all academic terms. |
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How long does it take to complete the GIS certificate?
It can be completed in 3 semesters. That assumes that you take two GIS courses per
semester, for two semesters, and then find and complete practicum during the last
semester. It can take longer than 3 semesters for some students. |
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When is the GIS certificate awarded?
It is awarded after you complete GIS 4415, and if you have a B (a.k.a 3.0) average
in the GIS courses.
*The prerequisite for GIS 4415 is Geog 4405 or Geog 4500 and permission of the GSS program coordinator.
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Is there a GPA requirement for the GIS certificate?
Yes, you have to maintain a B (a.k.a 3.0) average in ALL courses that you take as
part of the certificate. |
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Is the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ GIS certificate the same as GIS certification?
No. The аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ GIS certificate prepares you for the GIS certification, but it is not
the same. Please contact the program director if you are interested in more information
about the certification exams. |
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I have many years of experience in the GIS field, but I never completed an undergraduate
degree. Can I do the GIS certificate program at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ?
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What is the application deadline for the Certificate program?
We accept applications year around. |
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Who is my advisor for the GIS certificate program?
Please contact Christine Jacobs (cjacob36@kennesaw.edu) if you have any questions about the certificate or would like advising help. |
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What are the costs for the GIS certificate?
They are the same as the usual аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ undergraduate tuition.
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Will I be eligible for financial aid while pursuing the GIS certificate?
No, certificates are not covered by financial aid. |
Contact Information: Dr. Ranbir Kang (GSS degree): Email: rkang4@kennesaw.edu4
Professor Uli Ingram (GIS certificate) Email: uingram@kennesaw.edu Phone: 678-824-2620.
Dr. Nancy Pullen (Internship/practicum coordinator): Email: npullen@kennesaw.edu.
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