Geospatial Information Science Technology

100% of this program can be completed online.

FIND OUT HOW THIS 2-YR PROGRAM POSITIONS YOU FOR A FASCINATING CAREER IN A GROWING FIELD!

Geospatial Information Science and Technology (G.I.S.T.) is used virtually everywhere. It is the map on your smart phone, the maps in the news, and is used behind the scenes for analysis purposes in science and business. It converts remote sensing imagery provided by satellites into digital data that helps drivers find their destinations, warns us of approaching storms, locates energy resources, tracks global warming and provides intelligence for national security. The ability to collect and analyze geospatial data is a valued skill set for businesses, urban planning, agriculture, scientific research, the military and a wide-range of organizations throughout the world.

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School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)The School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) prepares you for in-demand careers that solve problems and drive innovation.

BUILD THE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR NOW.

Through classroom and computer lab experiences, you’ll learn to use specialized software to collect, convert, and integrate geographical data into digital form. You’ll become proficient at using geospatial data to produce data layers, maps, tables and reports, and conduct spatial analysis.This two-year degree program takes your skills up a notch through courses developed in conjunction with NYS GIS professionals and the National GeoTech Center of Excellence. You'll also have the flexibility to attend a mix of in-person and online courses, or complete your degree entirely online.

Upon completion you can apply for entry-level positions such as:

  • Remote Sensing Scientist and Technologist
  • Precision Agriculture Technician
  • Mapping Technician
  • Urban Planner
  • Geoscientist
  • Cartographer
  • Geographer

GIST graduates often work on projects with people in related fields. For example, they could work with civil engineers, legislators, businesses or real estate developers to determine the best location for a new public transportation infrastructure.

Our graduates find promising career and internship opportunities at organizations like these:

  • American Red Cross
  • Con Edison (NYC)
  • EagleView
  • Esri
  • Genesee Land Trust
  • MRB Group
  • New York State Department of Health
  • Oswego County
  • Soil, Food and Healthy Communities (Malawi)/Cornell University
  • Town of Penfield
  • Water for South Sudan

OPEN THE DOOR TO FUTURE STUDIES.

MCC’s G.I.S.T. A.A.S degree not only puts you in demand with employers, it gives you a strong foundation for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs at excellent institutions like these:

  • University at Buffalo
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • SUNY Farmingdale
  • SUNY Cortland

Get in touch with the Monroe Community College’s admissions office to learn more about the opportunities you can create with an associate degree in Geospatial Information Science and Technology. Contact us at (585) 292-2200 or admissions@monroecc.edu.

GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY

A.A.S. Degree - Career Program

Department:Chemistry and Geosciences

School(s): Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

MCC Program Code: GG10

100% of this program can be completed online.

This program's design is based on: New MCC General Education

Description
The Geospatial Information Science Technology (GIST) A.A.S. is a growing and exciting career field that allows users to see trends and patterns in crimes, health, environment, urban planning, business decisions, geosciences, agriculture, and more. GIST uses computer software, imagery (airplanes, drones, and satellites), location, and data (phones to online data) to map and analyze information. Students who earn an A.A.S in GIST will have received a comprehensive education and completed an internship to prepare them to enter the geospatial workforce as a GIST technician who has a wide variety of career options (cartographer, geospatial intelligence, remote sensing analyst, and more).

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Employ geographical analysis to solve problems or answer specific questions.
2. Perform geospatial workflows to solve a particular problem or make a particular decision.
3. Employ industry standard principles in the design of professional quality maps.
4. Configure a geospatial server for use in mobile mapping applications.
5. Use scripting language to streamline geospatial workflows.
6. Implement geospatial solutions to solve problems or answer specific questions through a final capstone experience.
7. Develop a GIST portfolio.

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: https://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
No previous courses are required. MCC Level 6 Mathematics Placement is needed. Students may be able to begin the program by taking a dual enrollment section of Digital Earth in high school.

Distribution Requirements

Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours
GEG 130 Digital Earth
3
GEG 131 Cartography
3
GEG 133 Introduction to Remote Sensing
3
MTH 160 Statistics I
3
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition
3
First Semester Total:
15
SECOND SEMESTER: 15-16 Credit Hours
GEG 100 Physical Geography I Laboratory
1
GEG 101 Physical Geography I
3
GEG 230 Spatial Analysis and GIS
3
GEG 237 Web Mapping
3
OPEN ELECTIVE**
3-4
MCC GENERAL EDUCATION HEALTH & WELLNESS ELECTIVE (MCC-HW)
2
Second Semester Total:
15-16
THIRD SEMESTER: 15-16 Credit Hours
GEG 102 Human Geography
3
GEG 236 Geospatial Data Acquisition and Management
3
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
OPEN ELECTIVE**
3-4
Third Semester Total:
15-16
FOURTH SEMESTER: Credit Hours 15
GEG 238 Introduction to Geospatial Programming
3
GEG 239 Capstone Course in Geospatial Technology
2
CIS 100 Information Processing Fundamental
4
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
OPEN ELECTIVE**
3
Fourth Semester Total:
15
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-62
* Students should consult with their advisor to select GIST electives. Choose from: GEG 104, 111, 200, 211, 215, 220.
**Students should each consult with their advisors to select open electives based on their mathematics placement, concentration, transfer plan, and career goals. If a student needs to reach MCC level 8 mathematics placement in order to take CIS 100, use an open elective to reach this math level. Recommended open electives also include AAD 104, AAD 105, COM 115, CPT 101, CRC 170, ENG 251, MET 101.