An increasing number of job sectors require mapping and spatial competency, including architecture, environmental science, finance, healthcare, marketing, policing, transportation, urban planning, and utilities. This certificate is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and automated mapping technology, utilizing satellites, aerial photography, drones, and web-based data. Advanced courses within this certificate equip students with the skills necessary to publish sophisticated web-based maps and create code to customize GIS applications.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| GEOG 100 | Map Interpretation and Geospatial Analysis | 3 |
| or GIS 100 | Map Interpretation and Geospatial Analysis | |
| GIS 130 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3 |
| or GEOG 130 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | |
| GIS 133 | GIS Cartography and Base Map Development | 3 |
| GIS 134 | Data Acquisition and Management | 3 |
| GIS 135 | Spatial Analysis with GIS | 3 |
| GIS 137 | GIS Advanced Applications | 3 |
| Elective Courses - One course from the following: | ||
| CS 102 | Introduction to Python Programming | 3 |
| CS 120 | Introduction to Visual Basic.NET | 4 |
| GIS 098 | GIS Work Experience | 1-4 |
| GIS 222 | Independent Study in Geographic Information Systems | 1-3 |
| WST 038 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Water Resources | 3 |
| Total Units | 19-22 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Courses: | ||
| ANTHRO 106 | Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| or ANTHRO 106H | Biological Anthropology - Honors | |
| ARCH 102 | Digital Design Media Level I | 3 |
| BIOL 104 | Human Ecology | 3 |
| CIT 101 | Introduction to Computer Literacy | 3 |
| ENVSCI 100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| GEOG 110 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOL 101 | Introduction to Physical Geology | 3 |
Students working for certificates must have a basic knowledge of arithmetic, reading and writing in order to learn and work in the occupations they select.
This is a Gainful Employment Program
Program Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the skills necessary to become an entry-level GIS technician, including spatial data acquisition, spatial data processing, and publishing web-based maps.
- Employ ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcGIS Survey123, ArcGIS QuickCapture, ArcGIS Workforce, and ArcGIS Navigator applications, as well as public-domain datasets to create web-based map.
- Create and organize a tabular database and associated metadata through entry of textual and numerical information.
- Collect and integrate raster data layers, including remotely sensed imagery, and vector data layers, including points, lines, and polygons.
- GIS map analysis, including descriptive spatial statistics, inferential spatial statistics, and spatial autocorrelation.
- Demonstrate how GIS can visualize and address longstanding issues related to economic, environmental, racial, and social justice, as well as environmental sustainability.