Columbus State
Community College


550 East Spring Street
Columbus, OH 43216

(614) 287-5353
(800) 621-6407

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Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems Associate Degree
GIS Certificate

 

The Geographic Information Systems associate degree program provides the community with skilled professionals who use, edit, and make decisions using GIS systems. Graduates are able to work in diverse industries that use geographic information systems including government agencies, construction, banking, health care, land use planning, transportation mapping and analysis, and emergency response.
 
With the growth of decision-making using spatial data and geographic locations, many businesses are looking for individuals who have skills and knowledge in GIS. GIS professionals can analyze and match spatial data with geographic location, create maps and make decisions relevant to their industries. They use, edit and manipulate the GIS software in their day-to-day operations. GIS is expected to be a growth occupation in Ohio and the nation in the years to come. 
 
The GIS Certificate program is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in Geographic Information Systems. It is most beneficial to entry and intermediate level GIS users who lack formal training and education in GIS. There are no prerequisites and no previous work experience in geographic information technologies is required. The program is an evening and/or weekend program. Courses are taught as instructor-led or as Web-based instruction. Projects and assignments can be submitted using your own computer or lab facilities on campus.  
 
The GIS program provides students with a solid educational background in communication skills, math, computer literacy and operations, and the humanities and behavioral sciences.

Upon completion of the associate degree in GIS, the graduate will be able to:

GIS Associate Degree

COURSE CR
Quarter 1
GEOG 207 Introduction to GIS  5
GIS 100 Acquiring GIS Data  3
MATH 148 College Algebra  5
CIT 103 Computer Concepts and Logic  3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  16
 
Quarter 2
ENGL 101 Beginning Composition  3
GEOG 280 Elements of Cartography  5
GIS 105 Elements of Photogrammetry (First Term) 2
GIS 110 Georeferencing and Editing GIS Data (Second Term)  2
GIS 251 GIS Software I  3               
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  15
 
Quarter 3
ENGL 102 Essay and Research  3
MATH 135 Elementary Statistics  5
ARCH 112 Construction Drafting: CAD I  2
GIS 253 GIS Software II  3
HUM XXX Humanities 111, 112, 113, 151,152 or 224  5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  18
 
Quarter 4
COMM 110 Conference and Group Discussion  (or)
COMM 105 Speech    3
COMM 204 Technical Writing  3
CIT 233 Expert Access  3
SURV 140 Surveying and GPS (or)
SURV 141 Basic Surveying  4
xxx xxx Technical Elective  3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  16
 
Quarter 5
GIS 203 Remote Sensing of Environment  4
GIS 280 Advanced GIS Applications  4
GEOG240 World Economic Geography  5
xxx xxx Technical Elective  3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  16
 
Quarter 6
GIS 260 Introduction to Spatial Analysis  4
GIS 279 Introduction to GIS Databases  3
GIS 291 GIS Practicum  4
GIS 290 Seminar for GIS  1
xxx xxx Technical Elective  3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  15
TOTAL DEGREE CREDIT HOURS  96

Technical Electives must be selected from the following list of courses:

SPECIALIZATION TRACKS

GIS Specialization

Must take at least two technical electives from:

GIS 275[Planning and Implementing GIS[ 3
GIS 277[Introduction to ArcIMS[ 3
GIS 278[Introduction to Programming in GIS[ 3
GIS 281[Introduction to ArcGIS Server[ 3
GIS 299[Special Topics in GIS[ 1–5

Must take at least one technical elective from:

GIS 283 GIS in Emergency Management  3
GIS 284 GIS in Health  3
GIS 285 GIS in Business  3
GIS 286 GIS in Utilities  3
CMGT 221 Building Information Modeling  3

Environmental Specialization

ENVR 101 Intro. to Environmental Science, Safety and Health  4
ENVR 110 Industrial/Municipal Pollution Control  3
ENVR 158 Environmental Site Assessment  3

Landscape Specialization

LAND 152 Site Planning  4
LAND 110 Landscape Computer Application  4
SURV 247 Townsite/Urban Development  3

LIS Specialization

LAND 152 Site Planning  4
SURV 245 Survey Law  3
SURV 249 Land Subdivision Systems  3

GIS Certificate

COURSE CR
Quarter 1
GEOG 207 Introduction to GIS  5
GIS 100* Acquiring GIS Data  3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  8
 
Quarter 2
GIS 251 GIS Software I  3
xxx xxx Technical Elective2  3
xxx xxx Technical Elective2  3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  9
 
Quarter 3
GIS 253 GIS Software II  3
GIS 280 Advanced GIS Applications (or  4
GIS 290/291 Seminar for GIS/GIS Practicum1  5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS  7–8
TOTAL CERTIFICATE CREDIT HOURS  24–25

Technical Electives must be selected from the following list of courses.
Must take at least one technical elective from:

GIS 275 Planning and Implementing GIS  3
GIS 277 Introduction to ArcIMS  3
GIS 278 Introduction to Programming for GIS  3
GIS 279 Introduction to GIS Databases  3
GIS 281 Introduction to ArcGIS Server  3
GIS 299 Special Topics in GIS  1-5

Must take at least one technical elective from:

GIS 283 GIS in Emergency Management  3
GIS 284 GIS in Health  3
GIS 285 GIS in Business  3
GIS 286 GIS in Utilities  3

* This course may be taken prior to starting the GIS Certificate.
1 This course maybe taken during Summer Quarter.
2 Two technical electives required for certificate (any quarter).