We offer a variety of Certificates spanning environmental science, natural resources, environmental policy and law, geospatial sciences, and aquatic and marine biology. Students learn from the experts using innovative online technologies for course delivery from the pre-eminent University of Florida.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
WHY CERTIFICATES?
Sometimes a full degree is more than you need to accomplish your goals. For those students seeking less commitment, cost, and time than a master’s degree, we are pleased to be able to offer a wide range of certificates in environmental and natural resource subject areas that can help you further your career and gain the knowledge you need.
UF students can also earn Certificates to add value and specificity to your degree program – students from all Colleges and departments are encouraged.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
This Graduate Certificate aims to provide working knowledge of aquaculture and health of captive aquatic animals and/or familiarity with health issues in wild aquatic species.
This basic knowledge is critical for professionals working at facilities which house aquatic animals and marine mammals, including scientists at research laboratories and teachers involved with agriculture education in K-12 (for example, aquaculture in the classroom). This certificate also serves graduate students who have an interest in developing expertise in the fields of aquaculture and aquatic animal health.
Credits required: 12
Required Courses (for 6 credits total):
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
This basic knowledge is critical for professionals working at facilities which house aquatic animals and marine mammals, including scientists at research laboratories and teachers involved with agriculture education in K-12 (for example, aquaculture in the classroom). This certificate also serves graduate students who have an interest in developing expertise in the fields of aquaculture and aquatic animal health.
Credits required: 12
Required Courses (for 6 credits total):
- FAS 5015, Aquaculture I
- FAS 5255, Diseases of Warm Water Fishes
- FAS 5203C/FAS 6932, Biology of Fishes
- FAS 6165, Fish & Crustacean Nutrition
- FAS 6154, Marine Adaptations
- FAS 6176, Algae Biology & Ecology
- FAS 6256, Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Histology
- FAS 6408, Aquaculture II
- VME 6010, Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues
- VME 6011, Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
This Graduate Certificate aims to address the growing demand for ecological restoration professionals in areas such as restoration ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental consulting, fire and wildlife ecology, watershed management, wetland sciences and wetland restoration, and mine rehabilitation.
Students obtaining the certificate will have acquired skills to assist them in understanding ecology, soils, and related biophysical sciences; designing restoration projects, synthesizing relevant primary information sources, such as technical reports and scientific publications; techniques used in ecological restoration, monitoring, and evaluation; and awareness of socio-economic, ethical, legal, and political dimensions of ecological restoration.
Credits required: 15
Required Courses:
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
Students obtaining the certificate will have acquired skills to assist them in understanding ecology, soils, and related biophysical sciences; designing restoration projects, synthesizing relevant primary information sources, such as technical reports and scientific publications; techniques used in ecological restoration, monitoring, and evaluation; and awareness of socio-economic, ethical, legal, and political dimensions of ecological restoration.
Credits required: 15
Required Courses:
- FOR 5157 Ecosystem Restoration Principles and Practice
- FAS 6360, Invasion Ecology of Aquatic Animals
- FOR 5159 Ecology and Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem
- FOR 6151 Forest Ecosystem Health
- FOR 6154 Analysis of Forest Ecosystems
- FOR 6340 Physiology of Forest Trees
- FOR 6934 Ecology and Restoration of Invaded Ecosystems
- FOR 6934 Agroforestry of the Southeastern US (TBA)
- FNR 6628 Watershed Restoration and Management
- FNR 6669 Policy and Economics of Natural Resources
- HOS 6070 Plant Materials for Conservation and Restoration
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
The Environmental Education and Communication graduate certificate was revamped for Fall 2022. If you need the course list for the previous version, please email shouder@ufl.edu
All environmental educators and communicators need a background in environmental science content, especially ecological processes and natural resource management, as well as skills in effective program design and delivery. This graduate certificate addresses issues related to education and communication as they relate to the management of the environment and natural resources. The coursework focuses on education and communication theory and practice.
Credits required: 11-12
Required Courses (6 credits)
Download the details here.
All environmental educators and communicators need a background in environmental science content, especially ecological processes and natural resource management, as well as skills in effective program design and delivery. This graduate certificate addresses issues related to education and communication as they relate to the management of the environment and natural resources. The coursework focuses on education and communication theory and practice.
Credits required: 11-12
Required Courses (6 credits)
- FOR 6934: Science Communication and Public Education (3 credits)
- FNR 5072C: Environmental Education Program Development (3 credits)
- AEC 6552: Evaluating Programs in Extension Education (3 credits)
- BSC 6038: Broader Impacts of Science on Society (2 credits)
- FOR 6005: Conservation Behavior (3 credits) or FOR6934: Conservation Behavior for Practitioners (3 credits)
- FOR 6934: Communicating Natural Resource Science with the Public (3 credits)
- FYC 6620: Program Planning and Evaluation for Human Service Delivery (3 credits)
- LAS 6291: Communication and Leadership (3 credits)
- LAS 6291: Facilitation Skills (3 credits)
- WIS 6934 Stakeholder Engagement in Natural Resources (3 credits)
Download the details here.
The Graduate Certificate in Forest Health & Resilience is a multidisciplinary program that addresses the current and emerging threats to forest health, the ecological, social and economic importance of forest health, and provides professionals with management tools to enhance forest resilience and minimize the impacts of forest health threats.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Credits required: 12
Required Courses (for 6 credits total):
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Describe the social, economic, and ecological contexts of forest health and resilience.
- Accurately diagnose tree health using established methodologies including an awareness of the various pitfalls in diagnoses.
- Analyze the occurrence of insect and pathogen outbreaks and the abiotic drivers responsible for tree die-offs, and interpret the effects on forest productivity and health.
- Formulate management recommendations for preventing, intervening, and/or restoring a forest in response to a disturbance or an insect/pathogen outbreak.
Credits required: 12
Required Courses (for 6 credits total):
- FOR 6151 Forest Ecosystem Health
- FOR 6155 Forest Ecosystem Resilience
- FOR 6934 Ecology & Restoration of Invaded Ecosystems
- FOR 6934 Issues in Southeastern Forest Health
- FOR 5159 Ecology and Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem
- FOR 6340 Physiology of Forest Trees
- FNR 6669 Policy & Economics of Natural Resources
- ENY 5405 Insects as Vectors of Plant Pathogens
- ENY 5006+L Graduate Survey of Entomology
- FOR 6215 Fire Paradigms
- ENY 6934 / FOR 6934 Bark and Ambrosia Beetle Academy
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
This Graduate Certificate aims to address geospatial sciences including geographic information systems, remote sensing, image analysis, geostatistics, GIS programmming/scripting, web mapping, data visualization, and spatial modeling.
The use of geospatial data is an evolving field, both in principle and practice. This certificate allows working professionals to gain additional academic understanding/credentials in this field, such as: applying theoretical and technical knowledge of geospatial information sciences and the application of spatial analysis for research problems in resource conservation; design and implementation of research methodologies used in the application of Geomatics; utilizing digital spatial data resources for mapping and analysis tasks; use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to both document and analyze natural resources.
Credits required: 9
Required Courses:
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
The use of geospatial data is an evolving field, both in principle and practice. This certificate allows working professionals to gain additional academic understanding/credentials in this field, such as: applying theoretical and technical knowledge of geospatial information sciences and the application of spatial analysis for research problems in resource conservation; design and implementation of research methodologies used in the application of Geomatics; utilizing digital spatial data resources for mapping and analysis tasks; use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to both document and analyze natural resources.
Credits required: 9
Required Courses:
- GIS 6116 Geographic Information Systems Analysis
- SUR 5386 Image Processing for Remote Sensing
- SUR 5365 Digital Mapping
- GIS 6103 GIS Programming
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
The goal of this Graduate Certificate is to provide training and background in policy making, permitting, and administration for natural resource management professionals nationwide, and/or to focus the studies of law and environmental policy professionals towards natural resources.
Stakeholder and industry feedback has been unanimous with regards to the need for training, for traditional and non-traditional students, in environmental policy, analysis, human management, and organizational administration. This Graduate Certificate offers a means of obtaining the prerequisites to higher-level administration careers for professionals in the field as well as students seeking to round-out their education in natural resources.
Credits required: 12
Choose 4 Courses:
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
Stakeholder and industry feedback has been unanimous with regards to the need for training, for traditional and non-traditional students, in environmental policy, analysis, human management, and organizational administration. This Graduate Certificate offers a means of obtaining the prerequisites to higher-level administration careers for professionals in the field as well as students seeking to round-out their education in natural resources.
Credits required: 12
Choose 4 Courses:
- FAS 6705 Fisheries and Aquaculture: An Economics Perspective
- FOR 6005 Conservation Behavior or FOR 6934 Conservation Behavior for Practitioners
- FOR 6543 Natural Resource Economics Valuation
- FNR 5625 Managing Public Lands & Waters
- FOR 6934 Human and Organizational Management in Natural Resources
- FNR 6061 Conflict, Collaboration, and Community Engagement in Natural Resources
- FNR 6669 Policy and Economics of Natural Resources
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
This Graduate Certificate addresses marine resource population dynamics, quantitative fisheries assessment, and use of quantitative models in fisheries management decision making.
Students completing the Certificate will be able to: apply theoretical and technical knowledge of quantitative sciences (mathematical and statistical) to fisheries research and management problems; design and conduct quantitative fisheries stock assessments; provide fisheries management advice based on quantitative fisheries assessment and management strategy evaluations; analyze and synthesize quantitative fisheries assessment results for use in management decision making contexts such as fisheries commissions. NOTE: Students should have a strong background in statistics and/or a prerequisite course such as STA6166 or ALS5932.
Credits required: 11-12
Required Courses (8 credits):
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
Students completing the Certificate will be able to: apply theoretical and technical knowledge of quantitative sciences (mathematical and statistical) to fisheries research and management problems; design and conduct quantitative fisheries stock assessments; provide fisheries management advice based on quantitative fisheries assessment and management strategy evaluations; analyze and synthesize quantitative fisheries assessment results for use in management decision making contexts such as fisheries commissions. NOTE: Students should have a strong background in statistics and/or a prerequisite course such as STA6166 or ALS5932.
Credits required: 11-12
Required Courses (8 credits):
- FAS 6355C Fisheries Management
- FAS 6337C Fish Population Dynamics
- FAS 6339C Advanced Fisheries Stock Assessment (TBA)
- FNR 6560 Bayesian Statistics
- GIS 6116 GIS Analysis
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
This certificate focuses on the emerging area of mapping using small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). This certificate will enhance the geomatics education of graduate students and working professionals, addressing the needs of industry for individuals competent in the acquisition of high resolution geospatial information. Topics will include foundational knowledge, vehicle and mapping systems operation, and geospatial applications.
Credits required: 9
Prerequisites:
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the graduate certificate.
Download the details here.
Credits required: 9
Prerequisites:
- SUR3103C Geomatics
- SUR6502C Foundations in UAS Mapping
- SUR6940C Practicum in UAS
- SUR6377 Geospatial Applications of UAS
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in each course to earn the graduate certificate.
Download the details here.
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATES
The Geomatics Certificate is geared towards professionals or new graduates seeking licensure as surveyors and mappers in the state of Florida. A specific set of courses is required prior to attempting the licensure examination, and as our program is the only accredited Geomatics program in Florida, we are proud to provide this service to professional and prospective surveyors and geospatial scientists, cartographers, and those interested in geographic information
Our faculty present overviews on Geomatics issues, as well as insights into the latest developments on these issues. Faculty from the UF Geomatics Program are recognized for their expertise in surveying, mapping, GIS, legal aspects, computations, and photogrammetry continually update these courses with their unique perspectives.
If you are applying for licensure in the State of Florida, SFFGS’s 15 credits of Geomatics Certificate coursework can apply toward the semester hours needed to sit for the exam. However, there are additional requirements that must be met. The requirements for licensure by examination and contact information for the Board of PSM can be found at this link: FDACS Surveyor/Mapper Licensing.
Program Requirements
To complete the Certificate the student must take five of the three-credit online courses listed below. Two of them are required: SUR 3103 Geomatics and SUR 3641 Survey Computations. Any three additional courses from the list must be taken. Students with the indicated skills and materials have the prerequisites to do well in the course. Students without the listed skills and materials may struggle to do well. Enrollment is open to all students for all courses, but only those with the indicated skills and materials are likely to do well. The passing criteria are the same for students enrolled in the regular degree program.
Credits required: 15
Courses
Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
Our faculty present overviews on Geomatics issues, as well as insights into the latest developments on these issues. Faculty from the UF Geomatics Program are recognized for their expertise in surveying, mapping, GIS, legal aspects, computations, and photogrammetry continually update these courses with their unique perspectives.
If you are applying for licensure in the State of Florida, SFFGS’s 15 credits of Geomatics Certificate coursework can apply toward the semester hours needed to sit for the exam. However, there are additional requirements that must be met. The requirements for licensure by examination and contact information for the Board of PSM can be found at this link: FDACS Surveyor/Mapper Licensing.
Program Requirements
To complete the Certificate the student must take five of the three-credit online courses listed below. Two of them are required: SUR 3103 Geomatics and SUR 3641 Survey Computations. Any three additional courses from the list must be taken. Students with the indicated skills and materials have the prerequisites to do well in the course. Students without the listed skills and materials may struggle to do well. Enrollment is open to all students for all courses, but only those with the indicated skills and materials are likely to do well. The passing criteria are the same for students enrolled in the regular degree program.
Credits required: 15
Courses
- SUR 3103 – Geomatics (3 credit hours) Introduction to angle, distance and elevation measurement, as applied to engineering, boundary location, topography, forest management and construction. Covers error theory as well as horizontal and vertical curves. Needed skills/materials: algebra, trigonometry, access to surveyor equipment, access to local surveyor mentor, access to basic use of AutoCad, textbook.
- SUR 3641 – Survey Computations (3 credit hours) The principles of geometry applied to surveying computations. Computer methods in surveying. Needed skills/materials: algebra, trigonometry, textbook.
- SUR 4403 – Cadastral Principles (3 credit hours) Cadastral systems, land boundaries, corners and areas; writing land descriptions and identification of land parcels; legal principles of boundary survey, office and business practices; professional standing. Needed skills/materials: report writing in English, textbook.
- SUR 4430 – Surveying & Mapping Practice (3 Credit hours)A study of land survey practice: the lot survey, the sectional survery and the water boundary survery. Also includes office and business practices and professional standing. Needed skills/materials: boundary law, survey computations, AutoCad survey drafting, report writing in English.
- SUR 4201 – Route Geometrics & Design (3 credit hours) The geometric design of transportation systems, computer applications and a comprehensive design project. Spiral curves, superelevation theory and earthwork analysis are covered. Needed skills/materials: survey computations, algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry.
- SUR 3323 – Visualization of Spatial Information (3 credit hours) Methods of mapping, modeling, communicating and visualizing spatial features. Includes boundary and topographical features, attributes, site modeling, site development and mapping using computer-aided mapping and design features.
- GIS 3072C – Geographic Information Systems (3 credit hours) GIS concepts, surveying and mapping inputs in GIS development, comparison of GIS systems and applications in the natural and physical sciences, engineering and planning.
Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course to earn the certificate.
Download the details here.
This certificate focuses on the emerging area of mapping using small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). This certificate will enhance the geomatics education of graduate students and working professionals, addressing the needs of industry for individuals competent in the acquisition of high resolution geospatial information. Topics will include foundational knowledge, vehicle and mapping systems operation, and geospatial applications. Note: academic credits for the undergraduate certificate program can only transfer into a bachelor’s degree-seeking program at a UF Research and Education Center.
Credits required: 9
Prerequisites:
Download the details here.
Credits required: 9
Prerequisites:
- SUR3103C Geomatics
- SUR4501C Foundations in UAS Mapping
- SUR4940C Practicum in UAS
- SUR4376 Geospatial Applications of UAS
Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course to earn the undergraduate certificate.
Download the details here.
This certificate is primarily intended for on-campus bachelor’s degree students.
Download the details here.
Download the details here.
This certificate is primarily intended for on-campus bachelor’s degree students.
Please see full information here.
Please see full information here.
This certificate is primarily intended for on-campus bachelor’s degree students.
Please see full information here.
Please see full information here.
This certificate is primarily intended for on-campus bachelor’s degree students.
Please see full information here.
Please see full information here.
For more information about our SFFGS certificate and graduate degree programs, please contact the following individuals:
Certificates:
Sandie Houder: shouder@ufl.edu
Graduate Degree Programs:
Dianne Behringer: ffgs-academics@ifas.ufl.edu
GET STARTED
- Enroll one semester at a time, with no long-term commitment
- Quick and easy application – no GRE required!
- Earn multiple Certificates or combine with a degree
