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.
- 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).
- Employ cartographic design principles to develop effective visual representations of geospatial data, including maps, graphs, and diagrams.
- 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.
- Utilize geospatial techniques and common analytical methods to solve problems.
- Evaluate and employ effective data management and database design techniques.
- Apply fundamental concepts of programming, application development, geospatial information technology, and related technologies.
- Integrate a commitment to address professional and ethical responsibilities, including a respect for accuracy standards and diversity.
- 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:
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.
Graduation Requirements
Core Courses
Select 1 course(s) from:
Program/Major Courses
Program/Major Support Courses
| DAT 101 | Introduction to Data Analytics and Visualization | 3 |
| ITN 160 | Programming I | 3 |
| MAT 162 | Statistical Reasoning | 4 |
| | |
| CRJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| And | |
| CRJ 223 | Criminology | 3 |
| Or | |
| ENV 190 | Introduction to Environmental Science and Technology | 3 |
| And | |
| | |
| GEO 205 | Geology and the Environment | 3 |
| Or | |
| CET 236 | Soils | 3 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation (Course Sequence Sheet)
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
| MAT 162 | Statistical Reasoning | 4 |
| GIS 210 | Cartographic Design and Visualization | 3 |
| ITN 160 | Programming I | 3 |
| ITN 180 | Database Technology I | 3 |
Elective
| Track Elective | 4/3 |
Semester 4
| GIS 271 | GIS Internship | 2 |
| Or | |
| CET 245 | Advanced Surveying Co-op | 4 |
| | |
| GIS 240 | Emerging GIS Technologies | 3 |
| GIS 260 | Geospatial Projects | 4 |
Elective
| Track Elective | 4/3 |
Elective
| Social Science Elective | 3 |
Approved Electives
Select one (1) social science elective.
Track 1 electives.
Track 2 electives.
| ENV 190 | Introduction to Environmental Science and Technology | 3 |
| And | |
| | |
| GEO 205 | Geology and the Environment | 3 |
| Or | |
| CET 236 | Soils | 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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