Geographic Information Systems Software Applications Specialist - Erie Community College

Geographic Information Systems Software Applications Specialist from Erie Community College is a Campus Certificate Computer Engineering degree that prepares you for a Engineering career. Program Description The Geographic Information Systems Software Applications Specialist Certificate Program is designed to prepare students to directly enter the workforce in GIS Technician positions in a variety of applications and fields. The program also prepares students to continue in more advanced GIS programs. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is a tool for storing, organizing, managing, and analyzing information in a spatial context. It is more than just a computer mapping tool. The maps generated in GIS are interactive, allowing users to control the data displayed on the map and how it is displayed, and linking additional information in a database to the objects on the map. Maps can also be linked to the database so the map is automatically updated every time the information in the database is changed. GIS is currently being used in a broad spectrum of career fields outside the traditional bounds of geography - police departments, businesses, health care planning, transportation management, and local government service. GIS technology is a relatively new addition to information systems technology with strong projected job growth both locally and nationally. GIS technicians are trained to work with GIS software and databases to perform some of the following functions: manage and update the databases; organize and present the data, usually in the form of a map, for use by decision makers; create specific applications for non-GIS-trained users of the database; perform spatial analysis on the data and make recommendations to decision makers based on the results of the analysis. The GIS Certificate program consists of a core of required GIS courses that allow students to develop GIS skills in a hands-on learning environment. As students progress through the core courses, they work more and more in the classroom on real projects to gain experience in how GIS systems operate and how they are applied to solve problems in real situations. Finally students may opt to participate in an internship program, in which they go out into a real GIS working environment to perform GIS tasks similar to what they will be expected to do in a GIS technician job. Additional coursework requirements in the GIS program are quite flexible to allow students to create a background in areas that will complement their work in GIS. Students may also combine the GIS Certificate program with a variety of associate's degree programs at the college. For example, students may want to add the GIS Certificate to their regular program in Business, Criminal Justice, Environmental Studies, or Social Sciences. View more details on Erie Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Computer Engineering courses.