Graduate College offers certificate in geoinformatics

The University of Iowa is now offering a graduate certificate in geoinformatics, a field that develops new uses for information technology to address specific problems in geography, geosciences, urban and regional planning, and related branches of engineering.

Offered through the interdisciplinary graduate program in informatics, the certificate requires at least 18 semester hours of coursework. It provides basic geoinformatics training as a complement to a wide variety of disciplines.

David Bennett, associate professor of geography and coordinator of the geoinformatics subtrack, said geographic information systems are increasingly being used to support basic science and to make better, more informed decisions in such areas as farming, conservation, urban management and engineering.

Bennett anticipates significant demand for the program. He said the use of geospatial data has taken off, and it's an area that has been identified as a relatively fast growth industry in terms of jobs.

The UI also awards certificates in health informatics, information science and bioinformatics. Degrees are offered in health informatics and information science.

For more information, contact igpi@uiowa.edu.