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, and also prepares students to transfer to four-year institutions in Geospatial Science. 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. The Geographic Information Systems Technology degree prepares students for entry-level technician jobs or to transfer to a four-year institution.
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, environmental sciences, forestry, 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
A minimum of 90 units is required1 to complete the associate degree, including:
- Core and support courses for the major (42.5-43.5 units total)
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
- Foothill College General Education
- Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)2
- Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)2
- Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)3
- 1
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
- 2
Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.
- 3
Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.
Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.
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 | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATA SCIENCE | ||
| JAVASCRIPT FOR PROGRAMMERS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | ||
| DATA VISUALIZATION | ||
| And two courses from the following: | 8-9 | |
| PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| HUMAN GEOGRAPHY | ||
| WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SCIENCE | ||
| 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 | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATA SCIENCE | ||
| JAVASCRIPT FOR PROGRAMMERS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | ||
| DATA VISUALIZATION | ||
| 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 | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATA SCIENCE | ||
| JAVASCRIPT FOR PROGRAMMERS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | ||
| DATA VISUALIZATION | ||
| 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.