Geographic Information Systems

Effective: Fall 2020
Certificate of Proficiency Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer system which uses data to create modern graphics and maps. These maps are interactive with clickable layers that can be used to identify problems and solutions for an organization. The GIS Certificate is for those both new to and experienced in the GIS field who want to develop knowledge of the fundamental concepts and practice of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and learn hands-on problem-solving skills doing real-world GIS application projects.


What can I do with this major?

You will be able to apply this knowledge and hands-on skills to various fields including, but not limited to:  planning, engineering, geography, criminology, real estate, biotech, public utilities, transportation, forestry, ecology, resource management, emergency response, and business/marketing. Here are some specific examples; Business: Service Routing, Business Analytics, Technology Support, Economic Development Land Administration: Public Works, Surveying, Urban/Rural Planning, Parcel Ownership Health and Human Services: E-911 Mapping, Hospitals/Health Systems, Managed Care, Public health, Environmental health and analysis, toxicology, health and safety officer Intelligence: Remote Sensing, Surveillance, Military Operations, Communications, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement Natural Resources: Agriculture, Archaeology, Climate Change, Forestry, Heritage Sites, Marine and Coastal, Water Resources, Flood Plain Mapping, Storm Damage Mitigation Public Safety: Emergency Management, Disaster Relief and Recovery, Wildfire Management, Environmental Monitoring Transportation and Infrastructure: Highways, Logistics, Ports and Maritime, Public Transportation, Railways Regional Analyst: Socio-cultural analysis, Human rights, Geospatial analysis, Communications, Tourism.


Learning and Career Pathway
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Environment

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

7 units

GEO 20
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

3 units
Computer-based information technology tools and techniques that analyze spatial relationships between locations and attributes of physical, cultural, and economic features. Visualization of geographic relationships to support decision-making through interactive linkages of maps, databases, images, and charts. Introduction to GIS theory, principles, concepts, applications, and operations. Field trips may be required.
Course Details:
  1. Transfers to CSU
    2. Terms Offered: Fall

    GEO 1
    Introduction to Physical Geography

    3 units
    Earth's natural environments, with emphasis on spatial characteristics, change over time, interactions between environmental components, and human-environment interactions. Physical processes, techniques, and tools by which Earth's climates, soils, vegetation, water resources, and land forms are linked into integrated global patterns. Effect of natural environments on human activities and how humans modify environments. Field trips may be included.
    Course Details:
  2. Transfers to CSU
    3. Terms Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

    GEO 1L
    Introduction to Physical Geography Laboratory1

    1 unit
    Application of the concepts, techniques, tools, and materials of physical geography. Practical exercises, experiments, observations, data analyses, and computer applications/simulations which augment understanding of geographic processes, interrelationships, spatial patterns and distributions. Use of maps, remotely-sensed imagery, and geographic information systems. Includes locational reference systems, time-space relationships, weather, climate, soils, vegetation, and landforms. Field trips/field projects may be included.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: GEO 1
  3. Transfers to CSU
    4. Terms Offered: Fall, Summer, Spring
    • 1 - GEO 1 and GEO 1L can be taken at the same time

    Semester 2

    6 units

    GEO 21
    Spatial Analysis with GIS

    3 units
    GIS facilitates visualization of spatial relationships and decision-making by means of interactive linkages between vector and raster data formats. Addresses real-world application of GIS principles, industry-standard software tools and quantitative techniques to multi-layered thematic data. Students will acquire advanced hands-on GIS experience in managing, editing, merging, intersecting, and statistically analyzing spatial data from many diverse sources, and in preparing high-quality cartographic presentations. Field trips may be required.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: GEO 20
    Terms Offered: Spring

    GEO 22
    Advanced GIS Applications

    3 units
    Practical, hands-on survey of some of the more advanced applications of GIS, integrating vector, grid, and digital image data formats. Emphasizes environmental applications of GIS industry-standard software tools to analyze spatial problems quantitatively, including network analysis, watershed modeling, digital elevation modeling, digital image processing, and digital rectification of multi-layered thematic data. Includes integration of Global Positioning System (GPS) operational characteristics, collection and interfacing GPS data with GIS. Field trips may be required.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: GEO 20
    Terms Offered: Spring
    Total Units: 13 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.