{"id":3476,"date":"2021-02-24T22:37:24","date_gmt":"2021-02-24T22:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.umflint.edu\/cas\/?p=3476"},"modified":"2024-07-12T16:10:00","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T16:10:00","slug":"exploring-um-flints-gis-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.umflint.edu\/case\/2021\/02\/24\/exploring-um-flints-gis-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring UM-Flint’s GIS Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CAS Student Ambassador April Bartle is exploring the different academic programs offered by the College of Arts & Sciences. Read what April learned about the GIS Certificate in this article. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I think of the term \u201cmap-maker\u201d, the olden days come to mind, when maps were created by quill pens and ink. Maps are an immensely valuable tool that can help scientists find solutions to problems based on spatial data. I had the opportunity to speak with Professor Greg Rybarczyk, Associate Professor of Geography, who talked me through UM-Flint\u2019s Geographic Information Systems Certificate Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Since 2010, Professor Greg Rybarczyk has been passionate about teaching students the value of maps at UM-Flint. He\u2019s in charge of making the GIS certification curriculum the best it can be for students. GIS stands for geographic information systems, which is essentially using maps to convey data, and then furthermore using that data to solve or understand a problem. It may seem simple by nature, but like every iceberg, much more lies beneath than it appears. Students will learn to be critical thinkers through their use of managing data, manipulating data, and displaying that data on a map. They will be trained in using computer software to aid the visuals and process the information gathered for a cartographic product. By having knowledge of information as it applies to an area, predictions can be made to solve tomorrow’s problems. As Professor Rybarczyk likes to put it, the GIS field is the pursuit of the \u201cwhys of the where\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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