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 101	Composition I	3
ENG 102	Composition II	3
MAT 183	Reasoning with Functions I	5
SOC 104	Human Geography	3
SSC 100	First Year Seminar	1

Select 1 course(s) from:

CLT 110	Cross-Cultural Immersion	3
COM 111	Human Communications	3
ECO 111	Macroeconomics	3
ENG 124	Oral Communications	3
HIS 111	United States History: Pre-Civil War	3
HIS 112	United States History Post-Civil War	3
HIS 131	Art History I	3
HIS 132	Art History II	3
PSY 121	General Psychology	3
SOC 103	Sustainability and Society	3
SOC 111	Sociology	3

Program/Major Courses

CET 144	Surveying Principles	4
EDD 171	Introduction to CAD using AutoCAD	3
GIS 101	Introduction to GIS	3
GIS 110	Spatial Data Analysis/Modeling	3
GIS 120	Data Acquisition & Management	3
GIS 210	Cartographic Design and Visualization	3
GIS 240	Emerging GIS Technologies	3
GIS 260	Geospatial Projects	4
ITN 180	Database Technology I	3
GIS 271	GIS Internship	2
	Or
CET 245	Advanced Surveying Co-op	4

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

SSC 100	First Year Seminar	1
DAT 101	Introduction to Data Analytics and Visualization	3
GIS 101	Introduction to GIS	3
SOC 104	Human Geography	3
ENG 101	Composition I	3
MAT 183	Reasoning with Functions I	5

Semester 2

CET 144	Surveying Principles	4
GIS 110	Spatial Data Analysis/Modeling	3
GIS 120	Data Acquisition & Management	3
ENG 102	Composition II	3
EDD 171	Introduction to CAD using AutoCAD	3

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.

CLT 110	Cross-Cultural Immersion	3
COM 111	Human Communications	3
ECO 111	Macroeconomics	3
ENG 124	Oral Communications	3
SOC 103	Sustainability and Society	3
SOC 111	Sociology	3
HIS 111	United States History: Pre-Civil War	3
HIS 112	United States History Post-Civil War	3
HIS 131	Art History I	3
HIS 132	Art History II	3
PSY 121	General Psychology	3

Track 1 electives.

CRJ 101	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
	And
CRJ 223	Criminology	3

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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