Geographic information systems integrate computer software and hardware to collect, organize, analyze, and present geographically referenced data. GIS systems extend into many different fields and are prevalent in both local and federal government agencies, at home and abroad. The application of GIS can be found in areas as diverse as disease control, economics, marketing, environmental study, utility management, and crime control and prevention. This career degree program is associated with the GIS Technician, GIS Specialist and GIS Professional certificates.
Required General Education Courses
16 credit hours as follows:
Select 7 credit hours from Math or Physical and Life Sciences:
BIO, CHM, EAS, GEL, MTH, NAT, PHS, PHY
A minimum level of competency in mathematics is required for graduation for all A.A.S. degrees. This minimum competency may be demonstrated in one of two ways:
- Placement into MTH-120 or higher; or
- Successful completion with an earned grade of “C” or better in BUS-120, MTH-102, or MTH-109 for designated career programs or higher level mathematics course, or
- An equivalent transfer course from another college with an earned grade of “C” or better.
Select 3 credit hours from Social/Behavioral Sciences, or Humanities and Fine Arts:
ANT, ARB, ART, ECO, FRE, GEO, GER, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, PSC, PSY, SOC, SPA, SSC, THE
Required Career Courses
40 credit hours as follows:
Career Electives
6 credit hours as follows:
Select 6 credit hours from GEO, BUS, CRJ, MDT, MIS, LAN, IMS
Suggested Schedule
Semester 1 (16 credit hours)
| COM-101 | Composition I | 3 |
| GIS-101 | Orientation to GIS Careers | 1 |
| GIS-110 | Fundamentals of Geospatial Science | 3 |
| GIS-112 | Intro to Geospatial Technology | 3 |
| GIS-114 | Data Acquisition & Management | 3 |
| ___-___ | Science/Math Elective | 3 |
Semester 2 (16 credit hours)
| GIS-120 | Spatial Analysis | 3 |
| GIS-122 | Cartographic Design | 3 |
| GIS-124 | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 3 |
| ___-___ | Science/Math Elective | 4 |
| - | | |
| GIS-126 | GIS Capstone Project | 3 |
| OR- | | |
| GIS-128 | Internship in Geospatial Technology | 3 |
Semester 3 (15 credit hours)
| COM-103 | Speech Fundamentals | 3 |
| LAN-111 | IT Essentials - A+ | 3 |
| MDT-145 | Intro to Computer Aided Drafting | 3 |
| MIS-123 | Database Design | 3 |
| ___-___ | Career Elective | 3 |
Semester 4 (15 credit hours)
| LAN-112 | Managing IT - A+ | 3 |
| MIS-210 | Project Management | 3 |
| MIS-292 | SQL/Database Applications | 3 |
| ___-___ | Career Elective | 3 |
| - | | |
| ___-___ | Humanities and Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
| OR- | | |
| ___-___ | Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 |