Minors & Certificates

You do not have to major in the School of Earth and Environment to build earth, environmental or geospatial expertise. Add a focused credential to complement another K-State degree.

Option

What it adds to your degree

Geology minor

Build a broad foundation in earth materials, processes and geologic analysis.

Exploration and Environmental Geophysics minor

Learn geophysical methods used to investigate the subsurface for environmental, engineering and resource applications.

Geography minor

Add spatial and human-environment perspectives, with opportunities to study human geography, physical geography, GIS and remote sensing.

GIS certificate

Develop hands-on skills in cartography, remote sensing, GIS and spatial problem-solving for research or the workforce.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences secondary major

Study the use, management, sustainability and quality of natural resources through an interdisciplinary program.

Earth and Space Science Teacher Licensure Program

Combine earth science expertise with preparation for teaching at the secondary level.

Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information System

The undergraduate certification in geographic information systems, as distinct from the minor in geography, is focused on meeting the needs of students who want to acquire grounding in geospatial analytical tools (cartography, remote sensing, and GIS). The certificate helps students prepare for entry-level positions in the private sector or government. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for courses within the certificate program to qualify for the certificate.

Course Requirements

  • GEOG 302 Cartography and Thematic Mapping
  • GEOG 508 Geographic Information Systems 1
  • GEOG 602 Computer Mapping & Geographic Visualization
  • GEOG 605 Remote Sensing of the Environment
  • GEOG 608 Geographic Information Systems 2

GIScience Elective (Credits: 3)

Graduate Certificates

Add focused expertise without completing another full degree. Graduate certificates can complement a K-State graduate program or, when program rules allow, be pursued as a stand-alone credential.

Geographic Information Science (GIScience) Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is designed to provide graduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the rapidly expanding field of GIScience or apply GIScience concepts in their own field of study. The Graduate Certificate in GIScience may be awarded as a "stand-alone" certificate or in conjunction with the completion of graduate degree requirements in one of the academic units at Kansas State University. A minimum of 12 hours at the 600-level or higher is required. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.33 in the geospatial core to earn the certificate.

Build skills in: GIS, spatial analysis, remote sensing, geospatial data management, mapping, modeling and related computational methods.

A good fit for: Students who want geospatial expertise for research or careers in public agencies, environmental work, planning, business, science, engineering or data-focused roles.

Geospatial Core (Required):
  • GEOG 508 Geographic Information Systems 1
  • GEOG 880 Spatial Data Analysis and Modeling
  • GEOG 605 Remote Sensing of the Environment
  • GEOG 608 Geographic Information Systems 2
  • GEOG 890 Advanced Spatial Analysis Techniques
Commonly Selected Electives - 6 credit hours:
  • AGRON 655 Site Specific Agriculture
  • BAE 669 Watershed Modeling
  • BE GEOG 895 Topics/Spatial Analysis
  • BAE 869 Advanced Watershed Modeling
  • BIOL 822 Landscape Ecology
  • CE 752 Advanced Hydrology
  • CE 786 Land Development for Civil Engineers and Planners
  • CIS 560 Database System Concepts
  • CIS 635 Intro to Computer-based Knowledge Systems
  • CIS 636 Intro to Computer Graphics
  • GEOG 602 Computer Mapping & Geographic Visualization
  • GEOG 700 Quantitative Analysis in Geography
  • GEOG 705 Thematic Remote Sensing
  • GEOG 706 Biophysical Remote Sensing
  • GEOG 707 Remote Sensing of Water
  • GEOG 709 Geography Field Research Techniques
  • GEOG 712 Internet GIS and Distributed GIServices
  • GEOG 728 Programming for Geographic Analysis
  • GEOG 808 Geocomputation
  • GEOG 880 Spatial Data Analysis and Modeling
  • LAR 580 Planning & Design Intro to GIS
  • LAR 704 Environmental Landscape Planning and Design
  • PLAN 801 Planning Methods I
  • STAT 703 Intro to Statistical Methods for the Sciences
  • STAT 705 Regression and Analysis of Variance
  • STAT 726 Introduction to R Computing

Mineral Exploration for a Sustainable Future Graduate Certificate

Gain specialized training for locating and evaluating the mineral resources needed for modern technologies and the energy transition. This 18-credit-hour hybrid certificate combines mineral exploration coursework with practical technical development and access to geoscience instrumentation.

Study topics such as: Economic geology, mineral exploration, petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, geophysics, GIS, remote sensing and field methods.

A good fit for: Students and professionals with a geology or related science background who want focused preparation for exploration, mining, environmental or resource-related careers.