Geospatial Information Science and Technology, AAS

Program Description

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) is designed for the student 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/GNSS) and remote sensing (RS) are others.

The general education requirements for this program are designed to encourage the student 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 the student 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. The student will leave the program with both a theoretical background and hands-on skill set in the field of geospatial technologies.

This program is based out of the CWC Lander Outreach Center, although courses can be taken online.

General Education Requirements

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)
UNST1 credits

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENGL 1020English Composition II

3 credits

OR

ENGL 2002Technical Writing

3 credits

 

GEOG 1020Intro to Human Geography

3 credits

GIST 1050GNSS Field Data Collection

3 credits

GIST 1200Geospatial Foundations

4 credits

GIST 2110Techniques in Cartography

4 credits

GIST 2310Intro to Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GIST 2410Advanced Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

OEAC 2025Wilderness Navigation

1 credits

STAT 2050Fundamentals of Statistics

4 credits

 

MATH 1000Problem Solving

3 credits

OR

MATH 1400College Algebra

4 credits

Program Electives

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

Course NumberTitleCredits
CMAP 1200Computer Information Systems

3 credits

CMAP 1765Spreadsheet Applications:

3 credits

CMAP 1815Database Applications:

3 credits

COSC 1010Intro to Computer Science I

4 credits

COSC 2050Intro to Structured Query Language (SQL)

3 credits

GEOG 2950Research In:

3 credits

GIST 1100Workshop in UAV Mapping and GIS Applications

1 credit

GIST 2000Professional GIST:

1 - 6 credits

GIST 2120Geographic Information System Databases

3 credits

GIST 2125Geographic Info Systems Database Apps

1 credits

GIST 2130Spatial Analysis

4 credits

GIST 2140Survey of Remote Sensing Applications

4 credits

GIST 2180Geospatial Web Applications

4 credits

GIST 2190Intro to Programming Geospatial Information Science and Technology

3 credits

GIST 2395Capstone Project in Geographic Information Systems

3 credits

GIST 4950Research in:

1 - 6 credits

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

Course NumberTitleCredits
Any NOLS Wilderness Course

1-5 credits

ATSC 2000Introduction to Meteorology

4 credits

ATSC 2110Introduction to Climatology

4 credits

BIOL 1080Intro to Environmental Science

4 credits

ENR 2425Mountain Environments

4 credits

GEOG 1010Intro to Physical Geography

4 credits

OEAC 2020Mountaineering:

1 - 5 credits

OEAC 2030Wilderness Backpacking:

1 - 5 credits

OEAC 2031Combined Expeditions:

1 - 5 credits

Total Credit Hours: 61