Geospatial Information Science and Technology, AAS

Program Description

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) is designed for students wishing to gain a background in the field of the collection, analysis and manipulation of geospatial data. Geospatial data is information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the earth. GIST refers to study of the supporting science, hardware, software, and data acquisition skills required to collect and synthesize geospatial data. A geographic information system (GIS) is one form of geospatial technology; global positioning systems (GPS) and remote sensing (RS) are others.

The general education requirements for this program are designed to encourage students to develop skills in critical and creative thinking and to gain the scientific and analytical background required to maximize the potential of geospatial technologies. This AAS degree in GIST prepares students for employment as technicians in the fields of natural resources, government public safety, mapping and utility companies, oil and gas, health and human services, and consulting firms. Students will leave the program with both a theoretical background and hands-on skill set in the field of geospatial technologies.

General Education Requirements

Writing Level I (WR1) 3 credits
American & Wyoming Government (POLS 1000) 3 credits
MATH/APPM/LSCI (in program)
Student must complete six (6) credits of general education courses distributed over two (2) different general education areas, one of which is either WR2 or ORAL.
ARTS/HUM/IT/ORAL/SOC/WR2 (in program)
UNST 1 credits

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

Course NumberTitleCredits
CMAP 1200Computer Information Systems

3 credits

 

ENGL 1020English Composition II

3 credits

OR

ENGL 2002Technical Writing

3 credits

 

GEOG 1020Intro to Human Geography

3 credits

GEOG 1200Geospatial Foundations

4 credits

GEOG 2110Techniques in Cartography

4 credits

GEOG 2310Intro to Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GEOG 2410Advanced Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

MATH 1400College Algebra

4 credits

 

STAT 2050Fundamentals of Statistics

4 credits

OR

STAT 2070Intro Statistics for the Social Sciences

4 credits

 

OEAC 2025Wilderness Navigation

1 credits

Program Electives

Students must choose a minimum of four (4) credits from the following courses:

Course NumberTitleCredits
BIOL 1080Intro to Environmental Science

4 credits

ENR 2425Mountain Environments

4 credits

OEAC 2020Mountaineering:

1 - 5 credits

OEAC 2030Wilderness Backpacking:

1 - 5 credits

OEAC 2031Combined Expeditions:

1 - 5 credits

G&R 2032Winter Expedition:

1 - 5 credits

NOLS Wind River Wilderness Course

1-5 credits

Students must choose a minimum of seventeen (17) credits from the following courses:

Course NumberTitleCredits
GEOG 2120Geographic Information System Databases

3 credits

GEOG 2125Geogrphc Info Syst Database Apps

1 credits

GEOG 2130Spatial Analysis

4 credits

GEOG 2135Applied GPS for GIS

3 credits

GEOG 2140Survey of Remote Sensing Applications

4 credits

GEOG 2190Intro to Programming Geospatial Information Science and Technology

3 credits

 

GEOG 2395Capstone Project in Geographic Information Systems

3 credits

OR

CPED 1000Co-Op Work Experience I:

3 credits

Total Credit Hours: 62