Geography Information Systems

Undergraduate GIS Certification

NKU now offers a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems. GIS provides a wide array of businesses, government agencies, NGOs and individuals with sophisticated software tools to map and analyze information critical to their missions.

NKU’s GIS Certificate equips students with the skills and gives them the credential that will help him or her find employment in the rapidly expanding world of GIS services.

For further information visit the link above or contact Dr. Hongmei Wang or Dr. John Metz.

GIS Lab

Geography students at NKU have a high-tech teaching tool in the Geography Information System Lab located in room 408 of Landrum Academic Center.

Computers loaded with GIS software allow students to access volumes of geographical data. The department offers a course that teaches students about the system and how to use it.

"GIS is a powerful tool that's widely used for research, planning and development by government agencies and private businesses," said Dr. John Metz, associate professor of geography.

The GIS software system references information such as topography, land parcels, houses, roads, water lines and sewer lines to make maps that serve different purposes. The maps are used in city planning, land development, resource management, academic research and even crime prevention to identify where crimes are most prevalent.

Students can use the GIS lab any time that Landrum Academic Center is open, and faculty members are often there to assist them. By utilizing the lab, students can improve their job prospects after graduation.

"Being able to use this technology well will be a big help in finding a job, so take advantage of the class and the opportunity it provides to develop your skills," said Metz.