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Earn a degree with endless possibilities

GIST enables us to see, analyze, and understand patterns on the earth. GIS is crucial for the study of climate change, city planning, scientific research, creating maps, and much more.

Earn a degree with endless possibilities

GIST enables us to see, analyze, and understand patterns on the earth. GIS is crucial for the study of climate change, city planning, scientific research, creating maps, and much more.

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Geospatial Information Science & Technology

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) harnesses the power of satellite imagery, 3d mapping and computer science to collect data and analyze features on the earth’s surface. Geospatial mapping is used in industries ranging from oil field development and resource exploration to monitoring and improving wildlife habitat. Anyone who has ever researched driving directions on the internet has used a geographic mapping system! This exciting and relatively new field of study prepares students to be technicians working in a range of ways – planning urban growth, designing roads, managing forests, exploring natural resources, mapping natural disasters, real estate site selection, and much more! CWC’s program is designed to encourage students to develop skills in critical and creative thinking. The program equips students with the scientific and analytical background required to work with high-tech mapping technologies to assess real world problems and provide solutions.

Virtually all of the courses in this program transfer well to either the Environment and Natural Resources program at the University of Wyoming, or (in the case of GIST courses) to the Geography Department. Specific course transfer depends upon the department students wish to enter at UW.

Course NumberCourse

Credits

CMAP 1200Computer Information Systems

3 credits

ENGL 1020 OR
ENGL 2002
English Composition II OR Technical Writing

3 credits

ENGL 2002Technical Writing

3 credits

GEOG 1020Intro to Human Geography

3 credits

GEOG 2310Intro to Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GEOG 2410Advanced Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GEOG 2110Techniques in Cartography

4 credits

GEOG 1200Geospatial Foundations

4 credits

MATH 1400College Algebra

4 credits

STAT 2050 OR
STAT 2070
Fundamentals of Statistics OR Intro Statistics for the Social Sciences

4 credits

PEAC 2025Wilderness Navigation

1 credit

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

Course NumberCourse

Credits

BIOL 1080Intro to Environmental Science

4 credits

ENR 2425Mountain Environments

4 credits

G&R 2020Mountaineering:

1 – 5 credits

G&R 2030Wilderness Backpacking:

1 – 5 credits

G&R 2031Combined Expeditions:

1 – 5 credits

G&R 2032Winter Expedition:

1 – 5 credits

Not applicable NOLS Wind River Wilderness Course

1-5 credits

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

Course NumberCourse

Credits

GEOG 2120Geographic Information System Databases

3 credits

GEOG 2125Geographic Info Syst Database Apps

1 credit

GEOG 2130Spatial Analysis

4 credits

GEOG 2135Applied GPS for GIS

3 credits

GEOG 2140Remote Sensing

4 credits

GEOG 2190Intro to Programming Geospatial Information Science and Technology

3 credits

GEOG 2395 OR 
CPED 1000
Capstone Project in Geographic Information Systems OR Co-Op Work Experience I

3 credits

General Education requirements provide students a general knowledge to help them complete a degree at CWC.

CourseCredits
Writing Level I3
American & Wyoming Government3
University Studies1

Total Credit Hours: 62

Certificates

The certificate I in GIST emphasizes both the academic and technical skills required for the collection, analysis, and manipulation of geospatial data. The certificate prepares students for employment as technicians in the fields of natural resources, government, public safety, mapping and utility companies, oil and gas, health and human service, and consulting firms. Students will leave the program with both a theoretical background and hands-on skill set in the field of geospatial technologies. 

Explore gainful employment information, where you can find occupational information, estimated cost and time of program completion, and job placement opportunities. 

Program Requirements

Course NumberCourse

Credits

CMAP 1200Computer Information Systems

3 credits

ENGL 1010English Composition I

3 credits

GEOG 2310Intro to Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GEOG 2410Advanced Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GEOG 1200Geospatial Foundations

4 credits

MATH 1000 OR
MATH 1400
Problem Solving OR College Algebra

3 credits

 Program Electives

Course NumberCourse

Credits

GEOG 2110Techniques in Cartography

4 credits

GEOG 2120Geographic Information System Databases

3 credits

GEOG 2125Geographic Info Syst Database Apps

1 credit

GEOG 2130Spatial Analysis

4 credits

GEOG 2135Applied GPS for GIS

3 credits

GEOG 2140Remote Sensing

4 credits

GEOG 2190Intro to Programming Geospatial Information Science and Technology

3 credits

GEOG 2395 OR 
CPED 1000
Capstone Project in Geographic Information Systems OR 
Co-Op Work Experience I

3 credits

PEAC 2025Wilderness Navigation

1 credit


General Ed. Requirements

CourseCredits
University Studies1


Total Credit Hours: 31-32
 

Certificate II in GIST provides an introductory foundation in the academic and technical skills required for the collection, analysis, and manipulation of geospatial data. The certificate prepares students for employment as technicians in the fields of natural resources, government, public safety, mapping and utility companies, oil and gas, health and human service, and consulting firms. Students will leave the program with a background to complement virtually any profession that requires introductory-level skills in the use and application of geospatial technologies.  

Program Requirements

Course NumberCourse

Credits

GEOG 2310Intro to Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GEOG 2410Advanced Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

GEOG 1200Geospatial Foundations

4 credits


Program Electives

A student must choose 4 credits from the following courses:

Course NumberCourse

Credits

GEOG 2110Techniques in Cartography

4 credits

GEOG 2120Geographic Information System Databases

3 credits

GEOG 2125Geographic Info Syst Database Apps

1 credit

GEOG 2130Spatial Analysis

4 credits

GEOG 2135Applied GPS for GIS

3 credits

GEOG 2140Remote Sensing

4 credits

GEOG 2190Intro to Programming Geospatial Information Science and Technology

3 credits

GEOG 2395Capstone Project in Geographic Information Systems

3 credits

CPED 1000Co-Op Work Experience I

3 credits

 

Total Credit Hours: 16

Get to know your instructor

Professor of Environmental Science and Health; Director of Instruction and Research at the Alpine Science Institute; Agriculture

Jacki Klancher has been an educator for more than 20 years. Originally from Patricia, Alberta Canada, Klancher has been at CWC for more than 10 years as a professor and she was integral in launching the Interdisciplinary Climate Change Expedition. This undergraduate research program has allowed her to integrate the classroom component of the EHS Environmental GIST and Expedition Science programs with wilderness travel and adventure.

INSTRUCTOR OF GIS AND EXPEDITION SCIENCE

Mara grew up in Lander, Wyoming and loves finding ways to connect students to their local environments and communities. She teaches GIS, environmental science and geography, and she helps facilitate and teach summer backcountry research expeditions.

Let the adventure begin

If you have an interest in anthropology, environmental sciencegeospatial information systems technology (GIST), or outdoor education you can begin your studies and career on top of the Rocky Mountains as part of the Alpine Science Institute at Central Wyoming College.

Student on glacier