Overview
The purpose of any proficiency test is to find out whether you have mastered the knowledge and the skills that are taught in a particular course well enough that you are prepared to succeed in the subject’s subsequent courses. The advantage to earning proficiency credit is that, if you decide to continue studying the subject, you can skip the lower-level course and begin studying at a higher level.
Introduction
Our GIS Proficiency exams are designed to meet the needs of students in the following scenarios:
Non-degree seeking GIS Certificate student wishing to prove proficiency in foundation courses.
Degree-seeking MS GIS Administration student wishing to prove proficiency in foundation courses and/or the student has previously taken undergraduate level sections of core GIS courses (GIS4102/5103 or GIS4930/5935).
Policies
See the current UWF Catalog Grades and Academic Policies section and UWF Regisrar’s Credit by Proficiency/Examination page.
- Must be enrolled in a GIS class to take the exam.
Failing an exam will result in the requirement to enroll in the course.
Passing an exam will result in course credit
Exam List
Our exams are hosted on UWF GIS Proficiency Exams Google site.
GIS 4043/L INTRODUCTION TO GIS
GIS 4006/L CARTOGRAPHIC SKILLS/COMPUTER CARTOGRAPHY
GIS 4035/L PHOTO INTERPRETATION AND REMOTE SENSING
GIS 5935 SPECIAL TOPICS IN GIS
GIS 5103 GIS PROGRAMMING
Expectations
Work with your program advisor to determine need.
Register and schedule to take the required exam well in advance of when credit is needed.
Communicate any issues or needs in advance of scheduled exam date via email.
Possess access to hardware, software, reliable internet connection and student gmail account as well as related skills required to complete the exam.
For example, students attempting Introduction to GIS exam should be familiar with ArcGIS Pro software.
Basic knowledge of lab computers or ArgoApps for GIS and google document creation and/or document uploading to google drive and sharing is required.
Complete exam and activities during the timeframe allotted.
GIS Software Remote Access
We expect most students will have already accessed and used Argo Apps for GIS. The following information and tutorial videos are available via UWF Confluence Knowledge Base: GIS Software Access
Google Drive Basics
How to Upload Files to Google Drive (required for all exams)
How to create a shareable link to a google document (required for GIS5935 Special Topics in GIS discussion quiz)
You can give other people a link to your file so that you don't have to add email addresses when you share your file.
Open the home screen for Google Drive
Click the file you want to share.
Click Share.
At the top right, click Get shareable link.
Next to "Anyone with the link," click the Down arrow
.
To choose what someone can do with your file, click the Down arrow
. Learn more about how others can view, comment, or edit files.
Copy and paste the link in an email or any place you want to share it.
What to Expect
Exams are scheduled once a semester over a one-two week timeframe.
Upon registration/appointment, GIS Admin to contact you via email to confirm information.
Dedicated Google Drive folder will be created and shared with you, including this document.
On the day/time of your scheduled exam, GIS Admin will open the assigned exam (quiz) and provide project-based exam materials in your dedicated folder.
Quiz based exams are available for 2 hours.
Project-based exam is due in about 2 weeks (on final due date, access to dedicated google folder will expire).
If you are completing all exam materials in the GIS lab, correspond with staff regarding available time slots. Refer to GIS Lab Schedule posted on GDC website.
Required files you’ve created should be uploaded to your assigned/designated google drive folder for final review.
Upon completion, GIS Faculty will review submitted materials
Allow 2 weeks for this process.
Expect an email from GIS Admin regarding results and next steps.