Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are tools for creating, editing, analyzing, and displaying spatial data. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide government, business, researchers, and the public with a decision support tool. A GIS application can be utilized for resource management, disaster planning and response, environmental analysis, utilities management, demographic analysis, and business location analysis. GIS can produce high quality maps and is driven by robust geographic databases containing spatial data in numerous formats. These geographic databases are often linked with traditional tabular data sets to help solve problems.

A GIS application allows corporate real estate executives to develop and use an inventory of a company's real estate assets. GIS provides dynamic site selection information to potential buyers. Utility companies use the technology to map a given region's infrastructure. Public health agencies use GIS to map the spread of public health dangers. County and city officials throughout the US use visual databases to steer policy and manage growth. Economic Developers distribute comparable data to key decision makers.

GIS business reports provide a means to visually map data which contains a geographic reference (like a zip code). Online GIS maps identify a region's unique competitive advantage. Maps with data layers have the ability to isolate a particular area of interest and show multiple variables.

GIS is a fast growing sector of the job market in both the public and private sectors. The UWF Continuing Education short courses are targeted at working professionals new to GIS or those wishing to explore further the potential of their GIS software. All courses use current ESRI software and provide a certificate of completion as well as the potential of earning CEU(s). Contact UWF Continuing Education at (850) 474-2914 for more information.

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