Dec 03, 2024  
2022-2023 SLCC General Catalog 
    
2022-2023 SLCC General Catalog [**** ATTENTION: YOU ARE VIEWING AN ARCHIVED CATALOG ****]

Geospatial Technology: AAS (CTE)


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Associate of Applied Science | 65 credits minimum

Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Description
The Geospatial Technology AAS degree is a strong and cutting-edge technical degree in geospatial technology addressing the Department of Labor’s Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM) with an emphasis in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and global positioning systems (GPS). The degree provides students with core competencies in GIS, but reaches farther into the geospatial spectrum by providing a strong emphasis in aerial and satellite-based remote sensing, drone technology called small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and spatial analysis.

Career Opportunities
Students completing the Geospatial Technology AAS degree will be highly qualified for most entry-level geospatial technology positions, specifically in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS). Many of these industries will be directly connected to geospatial technology, while other industries will be indirectly impacted. The U.S. Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics states that geospatial technology is one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries, with entry-level positions in surveying, mapping technicians, photogrammetrists, and cartography.

The geospatial technology industry is incredibly diverse and interdisciplinary, applicable and highly needed in the following industries: local, state, and federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; private sector positions; business and marketing; geography; urban planning and transportation; architecture; public utilities, public safety; military and Homeland Security; geospatial intelligence; criminal justice and law enforcement; public health; forestry and agriculture; environmental science and wildlife conservation; energy management; natural resource management; history, archeology, and archeology; sociology; military; disaster response and mitigation; surveying; computer science and information systems; and more. Learn more at https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/index.

Transfer/Articulation Information
Starting Fall Semester 2018, the Geographic Information Science AS degree directly transfers to the Geography Department at the University of Utah. Courses in that program of study are included in this GIS Certificate of Proficiency. Those courses include GEOG 1180 Programming using Python , GEOG 2100 Cartographic Principles , and GEOG 2500 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems .

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Course Fees: $ 60

NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.

General Education Requirements


Complete all General Education courses.

  

Program Requirements


Elective Courses (12 credits)


  • Select 6 credits from any GEOG course
  • Select 6 credits from any course numbered 1000 or higher

NOTE: Additional courses and credits will be required if courses completed in required and elective
sections meet General Education requirements, too. A total of 65 credits are required to complete this
degree.

Time to Completion & Graduation Map


  • Geospatial Technology AAS: Full-time  
  •  Time to completion is 5 semesters based on a full-time minimum of 15 credits per semester. Less than 15 credits per semester will increase the time to completion.

Program Learning Outcomes


Program learning outcome alignment with Student Learning Outcomes  in brackets.

  • Identify, explain, and find meaning in spatial patterns and relationships, such as site conditions, how places are similar and different, the influence of a land feature on its neighbors, the nature of transitions between places, how places are linked at local, regional, and/or global scales. [1,4,5,6,7,8]
  • Compare and contrast the elements of geospatial data quality, including geometric accuracy, thematic accuracy, resolution, precision, and fitness for use. [1,4,5,9]
  • Apply the necessary components, role, and operations of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), including the Global Positioning System and similar systems. [1,4,9]
  • Use the concept of the electromagnetic spectrum to explain the difference between sensors (e.g., optical, microwave, multispectral, hyperspectral, etc.) across multiple remote sensing platforms. [1,4,9]
  • Differentiate the several types of resolution that characterize remotely-sensed imagery, including
    spatial, spectral, radiometric, and temporal across multiple remote sensing platforms. [1,4,9]
  • Demonstrate foundational skill sets on which geographic information systems (GIS) are based, including the problem of representing change over time and the imprecision and uncertainty that characterizes all geographic information. [1,4,8,9]
  • Acquire and integrate a variety of field data, image data, vector data, and attribute data to create, update, and maintain GIS databases. [1,3,4,8,9]
  • Compare advantages and disadvantages of standard spatial data models, including the nature of vector, raster, and object-oriented models, in the context of spatial data used in the workplace. [1,4,5,8,9]
  • Use geoprocessing software to perform essential GIS analysis functions. [1,3,4,9]
  • Apply Earth geometry and geodesy techniques such as datums, coordinate systems, and map projections to geospatial applications. [1,2,3,4,9]
  • Apply modeling and spatial analysis skill sets using geographic information systems (GIS) technology. [1,3,4,9]
  • Recognize GIS tasks and computer programming software that is amenable to automation, such as route generation, incident response, and land use change analysis. [1,3,4,9]
  • Employ cartographic design principles to create and edit visual representations of geospatial data, including maps, graphs, and diagrams. [1,2,4,8,9]
  • Demonstrate how the selection of data classification and/or symbolization techniques affects the message and communication of thematic maps to specific audiences. [1,2,4,9]
  • Develop professional, networking, critical thinking, ethical, and teamwork skills related to the discipline of geospatial technology. [1,2,4,5,6,7,8]
  • Determine trends in geospatial technology and applications including mobile apps, sUAS/drones, cloud applications, and web-based mapping. [1,4,6,7]
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, including airframe, flight instruments, and navigation. [1,4,9]
  • Compare and contrast various types of sUAS for fixed-wing and rotar-wind aircrafts. [1,4,5,8]
  • Apply image acquisition and analysis techniques from images acquired by sUAS. [1,3,4,9]
  • Select the type of sUAS for a specific mission and identify the types of payloads to be carried and sensors needed to complete a flight mission. [1,2,4,7,8]
  • Demonstrate competency to pass the FAA Part 107 flight exam successfully. [1,4]

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