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Earn a degree with endless possibilities

GIST enables us to see, analyze, and understand patterns on the earth. GIS is crucial for the study of climate change, city planning, scientific research, creating maps, and much more.

Earn a degree with endless possibilities

GIST enables us to see, analyze, and understand patterns on the earth. GIS is crucial for the study of climate change, city planning, scientific research, creating maps, and much more.

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Geospatial Information Science & Technology

Associate of Applied Science Degree

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.

Course Number Course Credits
CMAP 1200Computer Information Systems3
  
ENGL 1020English Composition II3
OR 
ENGL 2002Technical Writing3
  
GEOG 1020Intro to Human Geography3
GIST 1200Geospatial Foundations4
GIST 2110Techniques in Cartography4
GIST 2310Intro to Geographic Information Systems4
GIST 2410Advanced Geographic Information Systems4
MATH 1400College Algebra4
  
STAT 2050Fundamentals of Statistics4
OR 
STAT 2070Intro Statistics for the Social Sciences4
  
OEAC 2025Wilderness Navigation1

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

Course Number Course Credits
BIOL 1080Intro to Environmental Science4
ENR 2425Mountain Environments4
OEAC 2020Mountaineering:1-5
OEAC 2030Wilderness Backpacking:1-5
OEAC 2031Combined Expeditions:1-5
G&R 2032Winter Expedition:1-5
NOLS Wind River Wilderness Course 

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

Course Number Course Credits
GIST 2120Geographic Information System Databases3
GIST 2125Geographic Info Systems Database Apps1
GIST 2130Spatial Analysis4
GIST 2135Applied GPS for GIS3
GIST 2140Survey of Remote Sensing Applications4
GIST 2190Intro to Programming Geospatial Information Science and Technology3
  
GIST 2395Capstone Project in Geographic Information Systems3
OR 
CPED 1000Co-Op Work Experience I:3

General Education requirements provide students a general knowledge to help them complete a degree at CWC.

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

Total Credit Hours: 62

Certificates

The certificate I in Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) emphasizes both the academic and technical skills required for 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. This certificate 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 service and consulting firms. Students will leave the program with both a theoretical background and hands-on skill set in the field of geospatial technologies.

Program Requirements

Course Number Course Credits
CMAP 1200Computer Information Systems3
ENGL 1010English Composition I3
GIST 2310Intro to Geographic Information Systems4
GIST 2410Advanced Geographic Information Systems4
GIST 1200Geospatial Foundations4
  
MATH 1000Problem Solving3
OR 
MATH 1400College Algebra4

Program Electives

Students must choose a minimum of nine (9) credits from the following courses:

Course Number Course Credits
GIST 2110Techniques in Cartography4
GIST 2120Geographic Information System Databases3
GIST 2125Geographic Info Systems Database Apps1
GIST 2130Spatial Analysis4
GIST 2135Applied GPS for GIS3
GIST 2140Survey of Remote Sensing Applications4
GIST 2190Intro to Programming Geospatial Information Science and Technology3
  
GIST 2395Capstone Project in Geographic Information Systems3
OR 
CPED 1000Co-Op Work Experience I:3
  
OEAC 2025Wilderness Navigation1

General Education Requirements

Writing Level I (WR1)/ORAL(in program)

MATH/APPM/LSCI

(in program)
UNST1 credits

Total Credit Hours: 31-32

The certificate II in Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) provides an introductory foundation in the academic and technical skills required for 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. This certificate 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 service and consulting firms. Students will leave the program with skills and background to complement virtually any profession that requires introductory level skills in the use and application of geospatial technologies.

Program Requirements

Course Number Course Credits
GIST 2310Intro to Geographic Information Systems4
GIST 2410Advanced Geographic Information Systems4
GIST 1200Geospatial Foundations4

Program Electives

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

Course Number Course Credits
GIST 2110Techniques in Cartography4
GIST 2120Geographic Information System Databases3
GIST 2125Geographic Info Systems Database Apps1
GIST 2130Spatial Analysis4
GIST 2135Applied GPS for GIS3
GIST 2140Survey of Remote Sensing Applications4
GIST 2190Intro to Programming Geospatial Information Science and Technology3
GIST 2395Capstone Project in Geographic Information Systems3
CPED 1000Co-Op Work Experience I:3

Total Credit Hours: 16

Get to know your instructor

Professor of Environmental Science and Health; Director of Instruction and Research at the Alpine Science Institute; Agriculture

Jacki Klancher has been an educator for more than 20 years. Originally from Patricia, Alberta Canada, Klancher has been at CWC for more than 10 years as a professor and she was integral in launching the Interdisciplinary Climate Change Expedition. This undergraduate research program has allowed her to integrate the classroom component of the EHS Environmental GIST and Expedition Science programs with wilderness travel and adventure.

INSTRUCTOR OF GIS AND EXPEDITION SCIENCE

Mara grew up in Lander, Wyoming and loves finding ways to connect students to their local environments and communities. She teaches GIS, environmental science and geography, and she helps facilitate and teach summer backcountry research expeditions.

Let the adventure begin

If you have an interest in anthropology, environmental sciencegeospatial information systems technology (GIST), or outdoor education you can begin your studies and career on top of the Rocky Mountains as part of the Alpine Science Institute at Central Wyoming College.

Student on glacier