State Board Approval Date:	10/1/02
Implementation Date:	Fall 2002
Last Updated:	September 9, 2009

Geographic Information Systems, Degree 2008

Program Standard and Course Guide

Table of Contents

General Program Standards
SPECIFIC PROGRAM STANDARDS
Admission Requirements	GIS3-02-01
Provisional Program Admissions	GIS2-02-04
Program Numbering	GIS3-03-02
Program Course Consistency and Sequence	GIS3-03-03
Program Course List
Accreditation (Guide)	Appendix A
Suggested Course Sequence (Guide)	Appendix B
Suggested Equipment List (Guide)	Appendix C

Admissions

Standard Number: GIS3-02-01 (Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide admission requirements are implemented for the Geographic Information System, Degree.

Explanatory Comment

Admission refers to regular admission into a degree program.

Statewide program admission requirements consider state and national occupational licensing and certifying requirements, where applicable. The institution develops and implements clearly stated degree program admissions policies and procedures.

Admission requirements are related to the functions of the Geographic Information Systems, Degree profession.

Evaluative Criteria

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated Geographic Information Systems, Degree program admission and advanced placement policies and procedures.

The requirements for admission to the Geographic Information Systems, Degree program are:

a. attainment of 16 years of age;

b. documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High School Equivalency Certificate requirements;

c. achievement of minimum regular admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in TCSG document Minimum Program Entrance Scores; and

d. proper completion of application and related procedures.

Admission of transfer students to the Geographic Information Systems program is contingent upon their meeting the following requirements:

a. regular admission and good standing at a regionally accredited degree granting institution; and

b. proper completion of application and related procedures.

Standard Number: GIS3-02-04 (Provisional Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide provisional admission requirements are implemented for the Geographic Information Systems, Degree program.

Explanatory Comment

Provisional admission is granted to qualified students who do not meet the regular admission requirements of the program.

Provisionally admitted students are allowed to take developmental studies courses and/or certain occupational courses as designated in the course sequence standard.

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated policies and procedures for entry into programs on a provisional basis.

Evaluative Criteria

Provisional admission to the Geographic Information Systems, Degree program is afforded those students who do not meet program requirements but do meet provisional admission requirements.

The requirements for provisional admission to the Geographic Information Systems, Degree program are:

a. attainment of 16 years of age;

b. documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High School Equivalency Certificate requirements;

c. achievement of minimum provisional admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in TCSG document Minimum Program Entrance Scores; or recommendation by program faculty and designated admissions personnel on the basis of interview and assessment of student potential; and

d. proper completion of application and related procedures.

All Geographic Information Systems, Degree program students initially admitted on a provisional basis meet regular admission requirements prior to graduation.

Provisionally admitted students whose English, math, and/or reading achievement levels do not meet regular program admission requirements are required to enroll in developmental studies courses approved by the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Program Structure

Standard Number: GIS3-03-02 (Program Numbering System)

Standard Statement

A Program Major Code of GIS3 and Program CIP Code of 450702 are applied to the Geographic Information Systems, Degree program.

Explanatory Comment

Assignment of a statewide Program Major Code GIS3 and Program CIP Code 450702 to the Geographic Information Systems, Degree program is the basis from which statewide programmatic consistency is developed.

Each degree/diploma/certificate program complies with the assigned Program Major Code(s) established in the relevant program-specific standards of the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Evaluative Criteria

Each authorized degree/diploma/certificate program is assigned a Program Major Code and Program CIP Code.

Each degree/diploma/certificate program having a given Program Major Code is consistent with all other programs throughout the state that have the same Program Major Code.

Degree/diploma/certificate programs having multiple specializations are assigned a Specialization Major Code and Specialization CIP Code for each option.

Standard Number: GIS3-03-03 (Program Consistency and Sequence)

Standard Statement

The Geographic Information Systems, Degree program utilizes essential course components consistent with statewide program requirements. Specific course alphanumeric identification Codes are assigned to each course. Students are required to progress through two course categories in a developmentally valid sequence.

Explanatory Comment

Programs are assigned an identical Major Code GIS3 and are consistent statewide. Each specific course is assigned an alphanumeric descriptor that serves as a statewide course identification code.

Evaluative Criteria

The Geographic Information Systems, Degree program is assigned a Major Code of GIS3, and utilizes essential components designated for that program number statewide. Program components include, but are not limited to:

Program Title

Geographic Information Systems, Degree

Program Description

The Associate of Applied Science in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology prepares students for employment in a variety of professions as GIS technicians. GIS technicians learn to create, analyze, and maintain digital mapping layers that allow organizations to make complex and informed decisions based on natural resource features, location of manmade structures, population density, and other relevant geographic data. Topics include mapping of natural resources and manmade structures, mapping and cartographic fundamentals, statistical analysis, global positioning systems, database design and management, spatial analysis and modeling, and Internet mapping.

GENERAL EDUCATION AREAS OF STUDY (Required minimum: 25 quarter hours)
AREA I	English/Humanities/Fine Arts	Minimum 10 quarter hours
	Successful completion of ENG 1101 is required as 5 of a minimum 10 quarter hours.
	Successful completion of a Humanities/Fine Arts is required as 5 of minimum 10 quarter hours taken from the following academic fields:
	Art	History
	Creative Writing	Humanities
	English – Literature	Literature and Cultural Studies
	Ethnic Studies	Music
	Film Studies and Criticism	Theatre
AREA II	Social/Behavioral Sciences	Minimum 5 quarter hours
	Courses that address Social Sciences/Behavioral Sciences taken from the following academic fields:
	Communications	Political Science
	Economics	Psychology
	Ethnology	Sociology
AREA III	Natural Sciences/Mathematics		Minimum 5 quarter hours 1)
	Successful completion of MAT 1100 or MAT 1101 or MAT 1111 is required as 5 minimum quarter hours.
	Courses may be taken from the following academic fields:
	Astronomy	Physics
	Biology	Mathematics
	Chemistry	Computer Science
Program Specific Requirements
Minimum Required Hours				25

Course Code	Occupational Course Title	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
SCT 100	Introduction to Microcomputers [P] Provisional admission	1	4	0	5	3
GIS 1101	Introduction to GIS [C] SCT 100	1	4	0	5	3
GIS 1103	Intermediate GIS [P] GIS 1101	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1105	Introduction to Global Positioning Systems [P] GIS 1101	1	4	0	5	3
GIS 1109	Special Topics in GIS [P] 1105	1	4	0	5	3
GIS 1114	Advanced GIS: Application Development [P] GIS 1103	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1116	Spatial Analysis in GIS [P] GIS 1103	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1120	Introduction to Raster-Based GIS [P] GIS 1101	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1122	GIS in Science, Business, and Government [P] GIS 1103	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1124	Cartographic Design and Management in GIS [P] GIS 1103	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1126	Database Design and Management in GIS [P] GIS 1101	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1127	GIS Internet Mapping [P] GIS 1101	5	0	0	5	5
GIS 1130	GIS Internship [P] Satisfactory completion of coursework as determined by advisor/instructor	0	0	15	15	5
XXX xxx	Occupationally related elective(s)	0+	0+	0+	3+	3
Minimum Required Hours:		23+	72+	15+	113+	67

Program Final Exit Point

Geographic Information Systems, Degree

92 minimum quarter hours credit required for graduation

Appendix A

Accreditation and Certification

The Geographic Information Systems, Degree program must conform to the institutional accreditation requirements of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (COC).

Appendix B

General Information

Geographic Information Systems, Degree Program Curriculum Model

Suggested Course Sequence

The standard curriculum for Geographic Information Systems, Degree program is set up on the quarter system. A suggested sequence for the program is given below with area of specialization. Technical institutes may implement the Geographic Information Systems, Degree program by using the sequences listed below or by using a locally developed sequence designed to reflect course prerequisites and/or corequisites.

Suggested Sequence I

First Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
ENG 1101	Composition and Rhetoric	5	0	0	5	5
SCT 100	Introduction to Microcomputers	3	0	0	3	3
GIS 1101	Introduction to GIS	1	4	0	5	3
GIS 1105	Introduction to Global Positioning Systems	1	4	0	5	3
	Total	10	8	0	18	14

Second Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
XXX xxx	Area I Elective	5	0	0	5	5
GIS 1103	Intermediate GIS	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1109	Special Topics in GIS	1	4	0	5	3
	Total	8	12	0	20	14

Third Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
XXX xxx	Area II Elective	5	0	0	5	5
GIS 1114	Advanced GIS: Application Development	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1116	Spatial Analysis in GIS	2	8	0	10	6
	Total	9	16	0	25	17

Fourth Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
GIS 1120	Introduction to Raster-Based GIS	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1124	Cartographic Design in GIS	2	8	0	10	6
	Total	4	16	0	20	12

Fifth Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
GIS 1122	GIS in Science, Business, and Government	2	8	0	10	6
GIS 1126	Database Design and Management in GIS	2	8	0	10	6
	Total	4	16	0	20	12

Sixth Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
MAT 1111	College Algebra	5	0	0	5	5
XXX xxx	Area I, II, or III Elective	5	0	0	5	5
XXX xxxx	Occupationally Related Elective(s)	0+	0+	0+	3+	3
	Total	10+	0+	0+	13+	13

Seventh Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
GIS 1130	GIS Internship	0	0	15	15	5
	Total	0	0	15	15	5

Appendix C

Geographic Information Systems, Degree

Suggested Equipment List

Garmin GPSmap60 or Garmin GPSmap76csx

Field computer with GPS (Trimble or Magellan)

ArcGIS Software (ESRI

Color Plotter (HP, Epson, or OCE)

Posted: 09/09/09