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Geographic Information Systems Certificate Engineering and Applied Technology Total Units: 17
This program is currently inactive. Catalog rights may apply, see a counselor for more information.

Term Effective: Fall 1981

Description:

INTERESTED STUDENTS:
THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN REVISED TO A 2-YEAR GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE.

Also see information for the new Geospatial Technology Major.
Please Contact Jerry Miller jmiller@santarosa.edu (707) 527-4376 for details.

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Skills Certificate provides students with the foundation skills needed to utilize GIS technology for a variety of applications. The two-semester sequence beginning in fall semester with APTECH 54A, Introduction to Information Systems, and APTECH 54B, Advanced ArcView, in spring semester, will provide a breadth of coverage of GIS capabilities and enable students to develop skills and knowledge needed to utilize GIS in the work environment.

The U.S. Geological Survey defines GIS as, "a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information; that is, data identified according to location. Practitioners also define a GIS as including the procedures, operating personnel, and spatial data that go into the system. The power of a GIS comes from the ability to relate different information in a spatial context and to reach a conclusion about this relationship. A GIS allows practitioners to manipulate, analyze, map and display spatial data and information, combining layers of information about a place to give a better understanding of that place. What layers of information are combined depends on the purpose-finding the best location for a new store, analyzing environmental damage, viewing similar crimes in a city to detect a pattern, and other related uses."

GIS is one of the fastest growing career fields in North America, with analysis and planning applications in numerous areas. Virtually any agency, business, or organization that utilizes land planning or analysis of business problems to model systems and alternatives before management decisions are implemented can benefit from utilizing GIS to accurately capture and display a variety of geographically related information.

Excellent employment opportunities exist in GIS for men and women who are interested in data collection and management, mapping, and spatial analysis. Opportunities are available in both public service and private enterprise including local, state, and federal agencies, national parks, non-profit organizations, private consulting firms, and business. GIS has applications in economics and market research analysis, emergency response, environmental protection and planning, land use planning, public health and safety, utility planning and management, transportation planning, delivery route planning, real estate, and crime prevention, among others.

Geographic Information Systems Career Ladder
*GIS Principle (Private Industry Owner, experience and 4 year degree or advanced degree and generally specializing in a particular discipline
*GIS Manager (Supervisor, with experience and 4 year degree or advanced degree)
*GIS Analyst (Lead Person, experience and 4 year degree)
*GIS Technician I, II, and III (Certificate from SRJC and experience)
*Mapping Technician (Certificate from SRJC and experience)

Students interested in a suggested order for taking classes in this program, can view the recommended course sequence.

Program Requirements:

The requirements for the Geographic Information Systems Certificate program are:

  • Complete 17 units from
    • Geographic Information Systems Requirements

Geographic Information Systems Requirements - complete 17.00 units
GEOG 4Physical Geography3.00

Term Effective: Fall 1981

The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.

Term Inactive: Spring 2010

Course Prerequisites and Advisories:

Courses in a program of study may have prerequisites or advisories; that is, courses that must or should be completed before taking that course. Please check for prerequisites or advisories by clicking on the course numbers in the Program Requirements section.

It is important that students who are completing an Associate Degree and desire to transfer to a four-year institution meet with a counselor to plan their lower division coursework. While many majors at SRJC are intended to align with lower division major preparation required by California public universities, specific lower-division major requirements vary among individual campuses. See a counselor, visit the Transfer Center, and check Guides For Transfer in Specific Majors, and ASSIST to review transfer preparation guides for specific schools and majors.

Notes:

Recommended preparation: computer literacy, including the use of Windows for file management, background in the use of the Internet to search for and download files, and exposure to spreadsheets, graphics programs, and databases.

Students should begin the program with APTECH 54A.

Contact
Information
Phone Email Website
(707) 527-4603
srjccertificate003273@santarosa.edu