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Associate of Science Degree
Applied Geographic Information Systems

The courses listed will lead to the Associate of Science in Applied Geographic Information Systems. The degree prepares students for either technician or analyst careers using GIS in the fields of civil engineering, biology, public safety, planning and landscape architecture, public health, social sciences, and public administration. Completion of this program is designed to prepare students to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.

Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.

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Sample Education Plan

This sample education plan for the 2023-2024 catalog year represents one possible pathway through the program. Each university (UC, CSU, private, and others) has their own transfer requirements; please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. Additional course descriptions may be found in the College Catalog.
Select sample path/map:
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
GIS 120 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (RHC 8b)M4.0
GIS 120 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (4.0 units)

Advisory:CIT 101
Prerequisite: Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: GIS 120 or GIS 220)

This course introduces fundamental concepts of geographic information and spatial analysis. Using industry standard geospatial application tools including geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and small unmanned aerial vehicle (sUAVs), students perform spatial analysis in various disciplines including but not limited to business, public safety, health, politics, civil engineering, and environmental, social, biological and geological sciences. Students learn how to organize geospatial data; visualize spatial patterns by aggregating numbers by areas, analyzing ratios and proportions, generating scatterplots, qualifying volumes and areas, and performing map algebra; and interpret correlations or suitable locations based on provided or researched criteria.

ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (RHC GE 1b and 8a)GE3.5
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or eligibility for college composition.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication.

Select one: PSY 190 / MATH 150 / FIN 101 (RHC GE 2)GE3.0†
Notes:
While the above course(s) are recommended, students may take any of the following courses to fulfill this requirement:  FIN 101, MATH 060, MATH 073, MATH 130/H, MATH 140, MATH 150, MATH 160, MATH 170, MATH 175, MATH 180, MATH 190/H, PSY 190.

PSY 190 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory:ENGL 101 and the ability to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*The UC will grant credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H or PSY 190)

This course provides an overview of the types of statistics that are important in the behavioral sciences. It is designed to teach students majoring in psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology how to present and interpret experimental data. The course focuses on hypothesis testing and the statistics used to analyze assumptions, with topics including basic probability, measures of central tendency, measures of variance, sampling, and inferential statistics.

MATH 150 - Survey of Mathematics (3.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course.
Transfers to: CSU, UC

In this course students will learn to read and understand quantitative information, solve practical problems, and make sound decisions using numbers. Topics include consumer applications, logic, probability, statistics, algebra, and geometry. This course is for students who need a quantitative reasoning course for graduation or transfer.

FIN 101 - Introduction to Financial Planning (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an elementary algebra course.
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of financial planning, and is designed to provide students with tools needed to achieve their personal financial goals. Students will learn to make informed decisions related to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing by applying quantitative reasoning concepts. Course topics include the financial planning process, budgeting, cash flow, debt consolidation, investing, and retirement planning.

RHC GE 7b - HumanitiesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 

Select one:
ANTH 104;
ASL 101, 124, 201, 202;
CHIN 101, 102;
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150;
EGSS 130;
ENGL 126, 131;
FR 101, 102, 201, 202;
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170;
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130, 140, 145;
JAPN 101, 102;
LIT 102, 102H, 112A, 112AH, 112B, 112BH, 114, 114H, 117, 117H, 130, 130H,140, 140H, 141, 141H, 142, 142H, 144A, 144AH, 144B, 144BH, 145, 145H, 146A, 146AH, 146B, 146BH, 147, 147H, 148, 148H, 149, 149H;
MSCM 128;
PHIL 101, 101H, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140;
POLS 128, 128H, 150;
SPAN 101, 101S, 102, 102S, 201, 201H, 202;
SPCH 130, 132

RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE1.0

Select one: KINA or DANC activity course.
Students who have completed a Fire, Police, Wildland Fire, or Corrections Academy from an accredited institution are automatically waived from this requirement, as are students with a DD214 on file. Exemption may be granted to those students physically unable to complete this requirement. Exemption forms are available in Student Health & Psychological Services.

Total Semester Units:14.5† 
2nd Semester
GIS 220 - GIS ApplicationsM4.0
GIS 220 - GIS Applications (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:GIS 120
Advisory:CIT 101
Transfers to: UC, CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: GIS 120 or GIS 220)

This course covers advanced applications of geographic information systems (GIS), including digitizing with topology, georeferencing “as-builts,” and deriving new spatial data by importing computer aided drafting (CAD) drawings. Students learn how to distinguish the difference and value of raster data versus vector data, perform new trends in GIS including processing new raster data with photogrammetry of imagery collected by small unmanned aircraft vehicles (sUAVs), and create mobile applications for field data collection (i.e., fire hydrant inventory). The course may include field trips to industry events and to attend off-campus survey field exercises.

GIS 221 - Cartography Design and Geographic Information SystemsM4.0
GIS 221 - Cartography Design and Geographic Information Systems (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: GIS 120
Transfers to: CSU

GIS plays an important role in many disciplines, and improves the understanding of particular kinds of information through visual interpretation. This course is for students who want a better understanding of methods to effectively portray information spatially using conventions of patterns, colors and symbology. Students are introduced to the history of map interpretation, map projections, scales, map accuracy, and layout conventions for publication in reports or large formats at emergency operations center. The course may include field trips for students to visit industry user meetings.

RHC GE 7a - Fine ArtsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
ARCH 103
ART 101, 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 120, 130, 135, 140;
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H;
GDSN 110:
MUS 101, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136;
MUST 151, 152;
PHTO 110, 130;
THTR 101, 105, 105H, 110

RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral ScienceGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
AJ 101
ANTH 102, 102H, 103, 104, 110, 115, 125;
CD 106, 208;
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150;
ECON 101, 101H, 102, 102H, 106, 135;
EGSS 110, 120, 130;
GEOG 102, 103;
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170;
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130;
KIN 170, 190, 195
MSCM 128;
PHIL 128, 128H, 135;
POLS 110, 110H, 115, 125, 128, 128H, 130, 135,140,150;
PSY 101, 101H, 112, 114, 180, 200;
SOC 101, 101H, 102, 105, 110, 114, 116, 120, 127, 130;
SPCH 150

RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE1.0

Select one: KINA or DANC activity course.
Students who have completed a Fire, Police, Wildland Fire, or Corrections Academy from an accredited institution are automatically waived from this requirement, as are students with a DD214 on file. Exemption may be granted to those students physically unable to complete this requirement. Exemption forms are available in Student Health & Psychological Services.

Total Semester Units:15.0 
Summer 1
ElectiveEL3.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

ElectiveEL2.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:5.0 
3rd Semester
GIS 280 - Geospatial Programming and Web ServicesM4.0
GIS 280 - Geospatial Programming and Web Services (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:GIS 120Transfers to: CSU

Knowledge of a scripting language is a highly desired skill for geographic information system (GIS) technicians. This course teaches how to automate GIS tasks by applying common industry scripting language (e.g., Python or Model Builder). Advanced database management methodologies for spatial data analysis and development of GIS applications will also be covered. Upon completion, students will perform programming fundamentals effectively, providing easier interfaces for end users.

GIS 290 - Cooperative Work Experience/Internship for Geographic Information Systems Related Fields *M1.0
Notes:
*Course may have higher units. GIS 290 can be taken for 1 - 4 units.

GIS 290 - Cooperative Work Experience/Internship for Geographic Information Systems Related Fields (1.0 units)

Prerequisite:GIS 120
Transfers to: CSU

This course supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under supervision of a college instructor and is facilitated by the use of learning objectives. The student will be working in a skilled or professional level assignment in their area of vocational interest and will meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is related to the field of GIS and have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. "Contact the CWE office regarding re-enrollment procedures".

Student Unpaid Internship:
1 Unit/60 hours; 2 Units/120 hours;
3 Units/180 hours; 4 Units/240 hours
Student Paid Internship:
1 Unit/75 hours; 2 Units/150 hours;
3 Units/225 hours; 4 Units/300 hours

RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
POLS 110, 110H;
HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170

ElectiveEL3.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

ElectiveEL3.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:14.0 
4th Semester
Major ElectiveM3.0
Notes:
See major advising sheet for major elective options. The following areas of specialization are available: Civil Engineering, Data Analyst and Environmental.

Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Major ElectiveM3.0
Notes:
See major advising sheet for major elective options. The following areas of specialization are available: Civil Engineering, Data Analyst and Environmental.

Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

RHC GE 5 - Natural Science with LabGE4.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one Natural Science with Lab:
ANTH 101, 101H & 101L;
ASTR 110, 110H & 112, 137;
BIOL 101, 105 & 105L, 111 & 111L, 112, 120 & 120L;
BIOT 100;
CHEM 110, 120, 130;
GEOG 101 & 101L;
GEOL 150 & 151, 152 & 152L;
PHY 120, 150, 160, 211, 212, 213

Total Semester Units:10.0 
Total Units for Applied Geographic Information Systems AS program 58.5† 
Notes:
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
Legend:
Some classes may have higher units
M Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement
GEGeneral Education course
ELElective Course
Advising Sheet:
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet.

Program Learning Outcomes

About RHC

Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.

Contact

Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601

Phone: (562) 692-0921
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