Description
The Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST) Certificate is tailor-made for western New York’s regional GIST industry needs, while allowing for possible transfer opportunities to four year universities. The 24-credit Geospatial certificate program consists of eight core classes, including a capstone course. This program will provide students with the opportunity to intern and/or earn employment in the geospatial field within one year. Students also have the option of completing an A.S. degree in Geography with a concentration in Geospatial Technology by completing additional courses (see A.S. in Geography). Students who earn a GIST certificate have a wide variety of career options, including a GIS technician, cartographer, geospatial intelligence, or remote sensing analyst.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Locate major political units important to Geography.
2. Locate physical features important to Geography.
3. Engage in the scientific process.
4. Conduct field work using mobile GIS.
5. Employ cartographic principles in the design of professional quality maps.
6. Perform basic remote sensing workflows to solve problems or answer specific questions.
7. Formulate an appropriate GIS workflow to execute geospatial problem-solving or decision-making.
8. Assess trends in point data (e.g. point density, “hot spots”, geographic center) using GIS.
9. Select an appropriate geospatial analytical method to solve a particular problem or make a particular decision.
10. Apply critical-thinking skills to solve problems.