GeoTech Center Model Courses

The GeoTech Center, a National Science Foundation (DUE 1304591 & DUE 1700496) grant to support geospatial programs at two-year colleges, developed Model Courses focused on building the skills, competencies, and abilities needed for entry-level occupations in the geospatial industry. Competencies covered in the Model Courses were identified using the Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM) and outcomes from multiple DACUM (“Developing a Curriculum”) events. A panel of geospatial education experts parsed the competencies into the Model Courses for the Certificate and are listed in a Program Content Tool that can be used to see what competencies and depth should be in each course. You can also assess your program from the GTCM Program Assessment Tool (Blank) tool. All material is distributed freely under a Creative Commons license and can be used with attribution to GeoTech.

Stand Alone Geospatial Awareness Course:

GST 100 – Exploring Our World Fundamentals of Geospatial Science

Certificate Module Course:

GST 101 – Introduction to Geospatial Technology
GST 102 – Spatial Analysis - Syllabus and Description
GST 103 – Data Acquisition & Management - Syllabus and Description
GST 104 – Cartographic Design - Syllabus and Description
GST 105 – Introduction to Remote Sensing - Syllabus and Description
GST 106 – Introduction to Geospatial Programming - Syllabus and Description
GST 107 – Geospatial Web Applications and Development - Syllabus and Description
GST 108 – Capstone in Geospatial Technology - Syllabus and Description
GST 109 – Internship in Geospatial Technology - Syllabus and Description

Elective Model Courses:

GST 201 – Spatial Analysis of Crime 
GST 202 – GIS for the Geosciences – Coming Soon

The GST 100 Awareness course uses browser-based software and can be used as a feeder course for the Certificate.  It also qualifies under many General Education topics. 

For the Certificate, it is suggested that students have a fundamental understanding and ability to use basic computer functions and programs including the ability to access data and resources on the Internet. While no pre-requisite courses in mathematics, statistics or other sciences are required, basic understanding of algebra and statistics would be beneficial.  Each course includes lectures, exercises and quizzes.