The University of Dayton has added a certificate project in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to its list of offerings for the fall 2009 semester.

GIS technology is a beneficial tool in researching national and social sciences and can also contribute

to other various areas, such as distributing networks and targeting market segments. Because of the ranges covered, there has become a more apparent

and larger demand for individuals

with GIS skills.

"GIS is a very flexible and marketable

skill and it can be useful in a lot of job fields," UD geology professor and GIS certificate program

director Shuang-Ye Wu said in a press release. "In marketing, for example, GIS can help you identify where potential customers

are, how close competitors are and where the best location for advertising or doing business might be."

Consisting of four courses equaling 14 credit hours (Applied GIS, Remote Sensing, Advanced GIS Application and GIS Capstone),

students can attain the certificate in just one year. They are offered online or during evening

sessions.

Interested individuals must submit their transcript, a statement

of purpose and three letters of recommendation. There is a $50 processing fee for international

students only. Applications should be submitted online anytime

after May 1 at http://gradadmission.

udayton.edu.

Providing a student meets the criteria for admission, those already

enrolled in any University of Dayton Graduate program can complete the certificate.

"Put simply, GIS involves anything

to do with map making and using maps to make decisions," Wu said.