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.Course | Units | Typically Offered |
1st Semester | ||
GIS 120 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (RHC 8b)M | 4.0 | |
GIS 120 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (4.0 units) Advisory:CIT 101 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)GE | 3.5 | |
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. 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)GE | 3.0† | |
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. 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. 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. 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 - HumanitiesGE | 3.0† | |
Notes: Select one: | ||
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE | 1.0 | |
Select one: KINA or DANC activity course. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 14.5† | |
2nd Semester | ||
GIS 220 - GIS ApplicationsM | 4.0 | |
GIS 220 - GIS Applications (4.0 units) Prerequisite:GIS 120 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 SystemsM | 4.0 | |
GIS 221 - Cartography Design and Geographic Information Systems (4.0 units) Prerequisite: GIS 120 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 ArtsGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral ScienceGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE | 1.0 | |
Select one: KINA or DANC activity course. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 15.0 | |
Summer 1 | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 3.0 | |
3rd Semester | ||
GIS 280 - Geospatial Programming and Web ServicesM | 4.0 | |
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 *M | 4.0 | |
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 (4.0 units) Prerequisite:GIS 120 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: | ||
RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 14.0 | |
4th Semester | ||
GIS 130 - Field Data Applications for GISM | 4.0 | |
GIS 130 - Field Data Applications for GIS (4.0 units) Prerequisite:GIS 120 This course provides students and working professionals an expanded hands-on study on field data collection and methods using various geospatial technology including Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and sUAV (small unmanned aerial vehicles) for applications in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RMS). Experience in using field data collection enhances GIS technician and analyst employability. Students will research real world applications for public safety, public works, digital humanities and various sciences. This course will include off-campus field trips. | ||
GIS 230 - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Environmental TechnologyM | 3.0 | |
GIS 230 - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Environmental Technology (3.0 units) Prerequisite: GIS 120 Environmental technicians collect, manage, manipulate and interpret environmental data using geographic information systems (GIS). This course will prepare students to integrate spatial technologies and environmental information in various disciplines in environmental technology, biology, planning, landscape architecture, engineering, geology, archaeology, and related fields. Practical GIS exercises engage the student with industry-used technologies including global positioning systems (GPS), remote sensing, and small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAVs) in activities designed to increase comprehension of the concepts, and skills they need to become marketable in their chosen environmental fields.Geographic Information Systems. Possible day field trips are scheduled to visit local industries and for field work. | ||
RHC GE 5 - Natural Science with LabGE | 4.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one Natural Science with Lab: | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 14.0 | |
Total Units for Applied Geographic Information Systems: Environmental Specialization AS program | 60.5† | |
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor. |
† | Some classes may have higher units |
M | Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement |
GE | General Education course |
EL | Elective Course |
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet. |
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