Certificate in Geospatial Data Science

What happens when you combine the power of locational intelligence with the deep insight enabled by data science? You get Geospatial Data Science – an exciting, rapidly growing domain that sits at the intersection of geographical information science (GIS) and data science. The certificate in Geospatial Data Science prepares students to analyze and model our world through big data with a spatial lens. From predicting the spread of wildfire in real time, to modeling urban mobility patterns, to building machine learning tools to analyze satellite imagery, geospatial data scientists help us make sense of complex geospatial and locational problems.

This interdisciplinary certificate draws on the strengths of UW-Madison’s world-class programs in Cartography and GIS, Computer Sciences, and Statistics to equip students with both the geospatial foundations and data science skills needed to work in areas like geospatial artificial intelligence (geoAI), environmental predictive modeling, locational business intelligence, and disease-spread prediction.

Students take a mix of courses in GIS, programming, and statistical data modeling, gaining hands-on experience with real-world data, cutting-edge tools, and industry-relevant workflows. Whether you’re a Cartography/GIS student looking to enhance your data skills, a Data Science student hoping to add a geospatial dimension to your toolkit to help stand out, or any other student interested in gaining geospatial data science toolkit that’s relevant to myriad fields, ranging from national security and environmental management to urban planning and public health, the certificate in Geospatial Data Science offers a flexible and forward-thinking path into one of today’s most in-demand skillsets.

Updated requirements for the certificate in Geospatial Data Science are listed on the Guide. Students interested in learning more about the certificate in Geospatial Data Science are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Geography advisor, Joel Gruley, via Starfish.

Joel Gruley is the advisor for the certificate in Geospatial Data Science. Joel was lucky enough to find and study Geography in college, and he taught it for several years at Madison College before joining the Department of Geography at UW-Madison. He’s passionate about helping students learn about and navigate the exciting field of Geospatial Data Science, and Geography more generally.

Students who want to learn about courses, research opportunities, and careers related to Geospatial Data Science are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Joel via Starfish. Students who wish to declare the certificate in Geospatial Data Science must schedule an appointment with Joel.