College Catalog Programs of Study 2015-2016

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

Career Studies Certificate

Offered through LO

Purpose: This program is designed to help students develop both the theoretical knowledge and a practical facility with GIS. Students who already hold a baccalaureate or master’s degrees will acquire the requisite skills and knowledge to switch careers, or to apply spatial analysis in their present workplaces. Students will be positioned to pursue additional coursework toward an associate degree and/or transfer to a four-year institution for further study in the geospatial, environmental or physical sciences; in civil engineering; in information technology; or in business/marketing at a four-year institution.

Recommended Preparation: Students are expected to understand fundamental computer applications and concepts before enrolling in GIS courses.

One Year Credits
1st Semester
1ENG/CST Elective 3
GEO 220 World Regional Geography 3
GIS 200 Geographic Information Systems I 3
Total   9
2nd Semester
GIS 201 Geographic Information Systems II 3
GIS 255 Exploring Our Earth: Introduction to Remote Sensing 3
2___ Elective 3
Total   9
3rd Semester
GIS 203 Introduction to Cartography for GIS 3
GIS 205 Geographic Information Systems 3-Dimensional Analysis 3
GIS 290 Internship 1
3___ Technical Elective 3
Total   10
Total credits for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Career Studies Certificate=28

All first-time students must take a one-credit SDV course prior to enrolling in their 16th credit at NOVA.

To be credited toward the certificate, a minimum grade of “C” for each class is required.

1 May be met by ENG 111 or other ENG courses approved by a student’s advisor, or by CST 100, CST 110, CST 115, CST 126, CST 227, or CST 229.

2Elective must be chosen from the following disciplines: BIO, CHM, EGR, ENV, GEO, GOL, HIS, IT, MKT, MTH, and PHY.

3 GIS 200-level course not specified in the certificate; GEO 200; GEO 210; ITD 110 (or higher ITD); ITN 101 (or higher ITN); ITP 112 (or higher ITP); MTH 163; or MTH 241.