Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Department

Ohlone's GIS program provides students with a conceptual base and technical skills in using a desktop GIS, one of the fastest growing high tech fields. Students enrolled in the program are expected to apply GIS in several areas to solve real-world problems.

The job market for GIS professional has really expanded. This is still a new field and limited experience yields competitive pay. It is used by a variety of private companies, government agencies, and scientists.

What is GIS?

GIS is a computerized database management system for capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial (locationally defined) data and information system. It can be used in any profession where analysis of spatial referenced data is needed.

What Can You Do With Desktop GIS?

GIS applications are unlimited, and increase day-by-day. GIS is a vital tool to query, analyze, and map data needed for decision making in business, environmental protection, risk assessment, utility planning and management, emergency response, land use planning, transportation planning, delivery route planning, real estate, crime prevention, and so on.

With GIS you can:

• Locate sites for new facilities
• Determine areas that will be prone to natural disasters
• Find areas that are affected by changes in zoning
• Analyze market areas for businesses
• Deploy emergency response personnel to the correct address
• Find the shortest routes for delivery services
• Analyze environmental impact of newprojects
• Monitor the use of natural resources such as forests & mineral fuels
• Manage utility lines
• Map monthly utility meter readings

Candidates for the Certificate of Completion in GIS must take and pass a set of core courses plus earn additional units from a list of elective courses in various fields. The training program is designed to meet various needs and goals including: transfer, certificate, course completion, workforce development and basic skills.

GIS training is ongoing and some courses are repeatable. Students completing all required core and elective courses will receive a certificate. Individual courses may be taken outside of the Certificate Program.

Who Uses GIS?

Public and private sector administrators, managers, technical professionals, decision-makers and others involved in spatial information systems will benefit from the training.

About the GIS Certificate Program

Review academic requirements in the Catalog and in the Curriculum Guides. All students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review academic program requirements and/or have questions answered.

• Certificate of Accomplishment (also known as Fast-Track Certificate; formerly known as Certification of Completion)
  • Geographic Information Systems - GIS is a computer-based database management system for capture, storage, retrieval, analysis and display of spatial data. Students who complete this program will be better prepared to map data for decision-making in business, environmental protection, risk assessment, utility planning & management, emergency response, land use planning, transportation planning, delivery route planning, real estate, crime prevention, and so on.

Review a sample listing of Courses for this major.

Division

Science, Technology, and Engineering Division.

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