Geographic Information Systems Technology
Program Description
Geospatial technology is the unifying tool with which spatial phenomena is explored. Geospatial technology consists of Geographic Information Systems, Global Positioning Systems and Remote Sensing. The Geographic Information Systems Technology program at Foothill College provides opportunities for career preparation and lifelong learning by providing courses that meet workforce needs. Geographic information systems are collections of computers, software applications and personnel used to capture, store, transform, manage, analyze and display spatial information. The associate degree provides a solid technical background in geographic information systems concepts and applications including cartographic concepts, database design, programming and interdisciplinary applications of the technology. The outcomes of the associate degree align with the U.S. Department of Labor geospatial competency model for geospatial careers. The degree also includes general education and elective courses required for graduation. Completion of the degree requires practical work experience in geographic information systems. The Geographic Information Systems Technology degree prepares students for entry-level technician jobs.
Learn more about the program on the Geospatial Technology & Data Science website.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to apply cartographic principles of scale, resolution, projection, data management and spatial analysis to a geographic nature using a geographic information system.
- Students will be able to plan, evaluate and execute an original geographic information systems project.
- Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate orally, in writing and graphically, the outcome of geographic information systems analysis.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an awareness of professional obligations to society, employers and funders and individuals as outlined in the Geographic Information Systems Professional Certification Institute Code of Ethics.
Career Opportunities
Geographic information systems skills are highly desirable in agriculture, archaeology, business, cartography, government, law enforcement, marketing, oil and gas, real estate and urban planning.
Award Type(s)
- AS = Associate in Science Degree
- CA = Certificate of Achievement
Units Required
- Major: 42.5-43.5
- Certificate(s): 21.5-43.5
Associate Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| English Proficiency | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| ENGL 1A | COMPOSITION & READING | 5 |
| ENGL 1AH | HONORS COMPOSITION & READING | 5 |
| ENGL 1S & ENGL 1T | INTEGRATED COMPOSITION & READING and INTEGRATED COMPOSITION & READING | 8 |
| or equivalent | ||
| Mathematics Proficiency | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| MATH 105 | INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA | 5 |
| MATH 180 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING | 5 |
| or any MATH course approved for Foothill GE Area V, Communication & Analytical Thinking | ||
A minimum of 90 units is required1 to include:
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
- Core courses (25.5 units)
- Support courses (17-18 units)
| 1 | Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree. |
Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates.
Core and Support Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GIST 11 | INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING | 4 |
| or GEOG 11 | INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING | |
| GIST 12 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY | 4 |
| or GEOG 12 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY | |
| GIST 52 | GEOSPATIAL DATA ACQUISITION & MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| GIST 53 | ADVANCED GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY & SPATIAL ANALYSIS | 4 |
| GIST 54A | SEMINAR IN SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I | 2 |
| GIST 58 | REMOTE SENSING & DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING | 3 |
| C S 1A | OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN JAVA | 4.5 |
| or C S 3A | OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN PYTHON | |
| Support Courses | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 9 | |
| INTERMEDIATE SOFTWARE DESIGN IN PYTHON | ||
| JAVASCRIPT FOR PROGRAMMERS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | ||
| DATA VISUALIZATION | ||
| DATA ANALYTICS & MANAGEMENT | ||
| And two courses from the following: | 8-9 | |
| PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| HUMAN GEOGRAPHY | ||
| WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| Total Units | 42.5-43.5 | |
Certificate Requirements
Certificate of Achievement in Geographic Information Systems Technology I
- Units: 21.5
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GIST 11 | INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING | 4 |
| or GEOG 11 | INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING | |
| GIST 12 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY | 4 |
| or GEOG 12 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY | |
| GIST 52 | GEOSPATIAL DATA ACQUISITION & MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| GIST 54A | SEMINAR IN SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I | 2 |
| GIST 58 | REMOTE SENSING & DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING | 3 |
| And one course from the following: | 4.5 | |
| OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN JAVA | ||
| OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN PYTHON | ||
| INTERMEDIATE SOFTWARE DESIGN IN PYTHON | ||
| JAVASCRIPT FOR PROGRAMMERS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | ||
| DATA VISUALIZATION | ||
| DATA ANALYTICS & MANAGEMENT | ||
| Total Units | 21.5 | |
Certificate of Achievement in Geographic Information Systems Technology II
- Units: 30
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GIST 11 | INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING | 4 |
| or GEOG 11 | INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING | |
| GIST 12 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY | 4 |
| or GEOG 12 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY | |
| GIST 52 | GEOSPATIAL DATA ACQUISITION & MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| GIST 53 | ADVANCED GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY & SPATIAL ANALYSIS | 4 |
| GIST 54A | SEMINAR IN SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I | 2 |
| GIST 58 | REMOTE SENSING & DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING | 3 |
| And two courses from the following: | 9 | |
| OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN JAVA | ||
| OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN PYTHON | ||
| INTERMEDIATE SOFTWARE DESIGN IN PYTHON | ||
| JAVASCRIPT FOR PROGRAMMERS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | ||
| DATA VISUALIZATION | ||
| DATA ANALYTICS & MANAGEMENT | ||
| Total Units | 30 | |
Certificate of Achievement in Geographic Information Systems Technology III
- Units: 42.5-43.5
The Certificate of Achievement in Geographic Information Systems Technology III is awarded upon completion of the core and support courses listed for the AS degree. General education courses are not required.