Geographic Information Systems Technology

Geographic Information Systems Technology

A.A.S. Degree (S)

The associate degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology provides a wide range of courses to prepare students for entry-level GIS technician positions in a variety of professional fields. The program educates students in the general and technical aspects of geography and geospatial technologies. The student gains practical experience in building, maintaining, modifying, and using GIS databases, data analysis, custom application development, and visual communication. The curriculum is broad-based to meet the demands of a range of geospatial technology positions.

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

  1. Apply knowledge, techniques, and skills of geography and geospatial technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and remote sensing (RS).
  2. Employ cartographic design principles to develop effective visual representations of geospatial data, including maps, graphs, and diagrams.
  3. Design and implement GIS systems using common geospatial software and hardware to acquire, store, manage, analyze, and visualize spatial data for a variety of disciplines.
  4. Utilize geospatial techniques and common analytical methods to solve problems.
  5. Evaluate and employ effective data management and database design techniques.
  6. Apply fundamental concepts of programming, application development, geospatial information technology, and related technologies.
  7. Integrate a commitment to address professional and ethical responsibilities, including a respect for accuracy standards and diversity.
  8. Recognize the need for and an ability to engage in self-directed continuing professional development.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Graduation Requirements

Core Courses

ENG 101Composition I

3

ENG 102Composition II

3

MAT 183Reasoning with Functions I

5

SOC 104Human Geography

3

SSC 100First Year Seminar

1

Select 1 course(s) from:

CLT 110Cross-Cultural Immersion

3

COM 111Human Communications

3

ECO 111Macroeconomics

3

ENG 124Oral Communications

3

HIS 111United States History: Pre-Civil War

3

HIS 112United States History Post-Civil War

3

HIS 131Art History I

3

HIS 132Art History II

3

PSY 121General Psychology

3

SOC 103Sustainability and Society

3

SOC 111Sociology

3

Program/Major Courses

CET 144Surveying Principles

4

EDD 171Introduction to CAD using AutoCAD

3

GIS 101Introduction to GIS

3

GIS 110Spatial Data Analysis/Modeling

3

GIS 120Data Acquisition & Management

3

GIS 210Cartographic Design and Visualization

3

GIS 240Emerging GIS Technologies

3

GIS 260Geospatial Projects

4

ITN 180Database Technology I

3

 

GIS 271GIS Internship

2

Or

CET 245Advanced Surveying Co-op

4

Program/Major Support Courses

DAT 101Introduction to Data Analytics and Visualization

3

ITN 160Programming I

3

MAT 162Statistical Reasoning

4

 

CRJ 101Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

And

CRJ 223Criminology

3

Or

ENV 190Introduction to Environmental Science and Technology

3

And

 

GEO 205Geology and the Environment

3

Or

CET 236Soils

3

Suggested Pathway to Graduation (Course Sequence Sheet)

Semester 1

SSC 100First Year Seminar

1

DAT 101Introduction to Data Analytics and Visualization

3

GIS 101Introduction to GIS

3

SOC 104Human Geography

3

ENG 101Composition I

3

MAT 183Reasoning with Functions I

5

Semester 2

CET 144Surveying Principles

4

GIS 110Spatial Data Analysis/Modeling

3

GIS 120Data Acquisition & Management

3

ENG 102Composition II

3

EDD 171Introduction to CAD using AutoCAD

3

Semester 3

MAT 162Statistical Reasoning

4

GIS 210Cartographic Design and Visualization

3

ITN 160Programming I

3

ITN 180Database Technology I

3

Elective
Track Elective

4/3

Semester 4

GIS 271GIS Internship

2

Or

CET 245Advanced Surveying Co-op

4

 

GIS 240Emerging GIS Technologies

3

GIS 260Geospatial Projects

4

Elective
Track Elective

4/3

Elective
Social Science Elective

3

Approved Electives

Select one (1) social science elective.

CLT 110Cross-Cultural Immersion

3

COM 111Human Communications

3

ECO 111Macroeconomics

3

ENG 124Oral Communications

3

SOC 103Sustainability and Society

3

SOC 111Sociology

3

HIS 111United States History: Pre-Civil War

3

HIS 112United States History Post-Civil War

3

HIS 131Art History I

3

HIS 132Art History II

3

PSY 121General Psychology

3

Track 1 electives.

CRJ 101Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

And

CRJ 223Criminology

3

Track 2 electives.

ENV 190Introduction to Environmental Science and Technology

3

And

 

GEO 205Geology and the Environment

3

Or

CET 236Soils

3

To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 65 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on your need for developmental education courses and the elective choices you make (if electives are a part of the program). Some programs also have college-level courses that you must take if you do not score at a certain level on the College Placement Test. If this applies to your program, the courses are listed at the top of the sequence sheet before the first semester of the course list.

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