Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are collections of computers, software applications, and personnel used to capture, store, transform, manage, analyze, and display spatial information. This powerful technology has a wide range of applications in planning and management by government agencies, business, and industry. The certificate provides a solid technical background in GIS concepts and applications including database design, the Global Positioning System (GPS), cartography, GIS programming, spatial analysis, and interdisciplinary applications of the technology. Completion of the certificate requires practical work experience in GIS.
According to an Environmental Systems Research Institute survey, over 80 percent of the data used for decision-making in government and industry has a spatial component. New areas of rapid growth are in criminal justice, homeland security, marketing, retail site location, resource allocation, banking, health-care planning, disease control, insurance, real estate, and disaster preparedness, management, and response. Most local, state, and federal government agencies use GIS and maintain a staff of GIS technicians, analysts, and professionals. GIS is also commonly used in the private sector by businesses, planners, architects, foresters, geologists, environmental scientists, archaeologists, real estate professionals, marketers, sociologists, and bankers. The growth in application areas of GIS and of GIS as a specialized discipline represents a new way for individuals, agencies, and businesses to view the world. The expansion of jobs in GIS is anticipated to continue for many years to come. It is likely that all students, regardless of their particular field of interest, will at least be exposed to and probably use a GIS in some capacity in the years ahead. The purpose of American River College's GIS program is to prepare students for careers in this expanding technological field.
Student Learning Outcomes
✔ assess and describe fundamental aspects of geographic information and scale, with specific reference to raster and vector digital spatial data models used to represent such information.
✔ evaluate and compile various types of spatial data, with specific attention to geospatial metadata, data quality, and identification of the most appropriate data type for use in a specific GIS application.
✔ compare and contrast the variety of available coordinate systems, map projections, and datums, and choose the appropriate variety for a specific GIS application.
✔ originate, classify, edit, and manage digital spatial data using various techniques (e.g., manual, scan, and on-screen digitizing, computer-assisted drafting, GPS, etc.).
✔ design, synthesize, validate, optimize, and manage spatial attribute tables and databases.
✔ apply appropriate data normalization and classification schemes to attribute data.
✔ formulate geoprocessing and analysis functions that are appropriate for specific applications, and be able to perform and evaluate the results of such processes (such as buffering, overlay, reclassification, address matching, and statistical analysis).
✔ compare and contrast the effectiveness of various GIS output products, including maps, tables, charts, and other digital output for specific applications.
✔ describe, assess, and compare common map elements and the cartographic design process.
✔ synthesize, design, apply, and manage a GIS project, including estimates of time and labor requirements.
✔ propose at least three examples of GIS applications that document spatial distributions or solve spatial problems.
✔ list and describe at least three career options for GIS professionals.
✔ design, create, and disseminate high-quality maps in both hard-copy (paper) and digital (on-screen) forms.
✔ compare and contrast the effectiveness of hard-copy and digital maps.
✔ analyze problems encountered in the study of other disciplines, and formulate appropriate GIS solutions.
