Associate of Science | 62 credits minimum

Natural Sciences and Engineering Division
Taylorsville Redwood Campus SI 241
General Information 801-957-4073
Program Information 801-957-4880
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Faculty
Associate Professor - R. Adam Dastrup, MA, GISP
Assistant Professor - Maura Hahnenberger, Ph.D.

Program Description
The Geographic Science program provides foundational knowledge in physical and human geography along with an emphasis on technical skill sets within geospatial technology. Students completing the Associate Degree will develop a strong foundation in critical thinking, spatial thinking, and geospatial analysis using foundational geographical inquiry and scientific methodology. Students will also acquire industry-driven technical skill sets in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, aerial photography, drone imagery analysis, and global positioning systems (GPS). Students seeking geospatial technology pathway may be able to receive an industry-focused Geographic Information Systems Certificate of Proficiency as part of the associate degree.

Career Opportunities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, the job outlook for GIS/cartographers and remote sensing/photogrammetrists is a 29% increase 2014-2024.

A study conducted by EAB (Educational Advisory Board) for the time period of Summer 2016-2017 determined employers from all sectors in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah predominately seek students for the following GIS- related job positions. At total of 2340 job postings listing GIS or related specialties were identified for the one year period. GIS position titles included: Geographic Information Systems Analyst, GIS Technician, GIS Specialist, Data Analyst, Environmental Specialist, and Systems Administrator.

According to the May, 2017, P&S Market Research’s market research report (www.psmarketresearch.com/) “Global Geographic Information System (GIS) Market Size, Share, Development, Growth and Demand Forecast to 2023, the global GIS market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.1%, during 2017 - 2023.

This report surveyed agencies and firms in Government at all levels, Water and Wastewater Management, Telecommunications, Engineering and Business Services, Aerospace & Defense, Oil and Gas Refineries, Oil and Gas Exploration, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare and Others. The report is available at https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/geographic-information-system-market

The global GIS market is expected to increase from $8,985.5 million in 2016, to reach $17,510.9 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 10.1% during 2017 - 2023. Among the various application areas, government sector has been the largest contributor to the global GIS market, accounting for over 28% of the global revenue in 2016. Increasing urbanization, in addition to the surging adoption of enterprise GIS in developing countries is expected to bolster the demand for geographic information systems during the forecast period.

Transfer/Articulation
Formal articulation agreements are being developed for the University of Utah, Weber State University, Utah State University, and Westminster. All required courses and elective courses will transfer to these two schools and count toward degree requirements. Most of the required courses and elective courses transfer to most other Geography programs. Currently, the strongest articulation agreement will be with the University of Utah’s Geography Department with a 100 percent articulation agreement.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: Most of the textbooks used for the program are Open Educational Resources (OER).
Course Fees: $200

Estimated Time to Completion
Time to completion is 4 semesters based on a full-time minimum of 15 credits per semester. Less than 15 credits per semester will increase time to completion.

Program Student Learning Outcomes	Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
	1 - Acquire substantive knowledge 2 - Communicate effectively 3 - Develop quantitative literacies 4 - Think critically & creatively 5 - Become a community engaged learner 6 - Work in professional & constructive manner 7 - Develop computer & information literacy
Analyze maps and other geographic representations, geospatial technologies, and spatial thinking to understand and communicate information.	1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Apply geospatial technology skill sets (i.e. geographic information systems, remote sensing, aerial photography, and global positioning systems) to analyze spatial patterns, trends, distributions, and flow spatially and over time.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth’s surface.	1, 3, 4, 7
Interpret the physical and human characteristics of places and that people create regions to interpret Earth’s complexity.	1, 3, 4, 5, 7
Determine how culture and experience influence people’s perceptions of places and regions.	1, 4, 5, 7
Describe the physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth’s surface.	1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Analyze the characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems and biomes on Earth’s surface.	1, 3, 4, 7
Explain the characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth’s surface.	1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Determine the characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth’s cultural mosaics.	1, 3, 4, 7
Analyze patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth’s surface.	1, 4, 7
Describe the processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement.	1, 2, 4, 7
Explain the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth’s surface.	1, 2, 4, 5, 7
Analyze how human actions modify the physical environment and how physical systems affect human systems.	1, 3, 4, 5, 7