Geographic Information Science

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Geographic Information Science program is designed to provide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) concepts including but not limited to cartography, map elements, and spatial analysis and syntheses, not simply GIS software. In addition, students will use current technologies used in the workplace to identify and problem-solve environments where spatial data analysis is required.

Details

Offered At
Phoenix
Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Geographic Information Science (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5021
Total credits required
16-19
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Admissions criteria

Program Interest Form and Acceptance into the Program is required.
Students must complete the Program Interest Form (Link Here) Geography Program page https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/degrees-certificates/geography

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students are encouraged to seek academic advisement from the Program Director before admission to the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Apply spatial analysis and geoprocessing operations on vector and raster data.
  2. Perform data management tasks (creating, querying, editing, joining, and customizing spatial and non-spatial data) as well as perform statistical analysis.
  3. Apply data analytics involved in relational and spatial databases.
  4. Demonstrate use of cartographic (map-making) skills.
  5. Recognize social and ethical responsibilities associated with the use of GIS as it pertains to environmental and population policies.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of remotely sensed imagery.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

$63,420

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

$55,640

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BPC110 or
CIS105		 Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems or
Permission of Program Director 0-3 		CS or CS 0–3
GIS205 Geographic Information Technologies CS 3
GIS211 Geographic Information Science I CS 4

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
GIS222 Geographic Information Science II 3
GIS223 Introduction to Digital Image Processing 3
GPH298AC Special Projects 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BPC110 or
CIS105		 Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems or
Permission of Program Director 0-3 		CS or CS 0–3
GIS205 Geographic Information Technologies CS 3
GIS211 Geographic Information Science I CS 4

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
GIS222 Geographic Information Science II 3
GIS223 Introduction to Digital Image Processing 3
GCU/GPH298AC Special Projects 3
Course Area Key
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=179338).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.