North Central Michigan Adds GIS Program
North Central Michigan is expanding their GIS program to include an Associate of Science Degree in Geographic Information Systems. The college just began a GIS certificate program for the spring 2009 semester. The first offered course, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems I, will allow students to learn the concept of GIS which will include basic mapping concepts, coordinate systems, georeferencing spatial data, and vector and raster data models. To fit the time needs of perspective students, this introductory course is currently being provided as a night class. Other classes will be added as the program expands.
Here is some dialog from a Petosky News-Review interview article with Sam McLin, associate dean of liberal arts:
“If you have ever played with programs like Google Earth or Onstar in your car, you have experimented with a basic form of GIS,” McLin said. “GIS is much more powerful and used in many fields. Exposing students to this here at NCMC may prepare them for future study in the earth sciences, civil engineering, biology or geography.”
Additionally, McLin said many government agencies, environmental consultants, surveying companies, municipal planning firms and power companies use GIS everyday.
“Any firm, organization, municipality or individual wishing to build, permit, tax or change the use of any land depends on someone using GIS,” she said.
The addition of the program is important to the college because it gives students more options.
“It’s important to the community because it will hopefully allow graduates to get a job, advance their career or start a new career path,” McLin said.
Another benefit? The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that many jobs that use GIS, such as surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists and surveying and mapping technicians are expected to increase 21 percent from 2006 to 2016.
“The GIS field is one of the few career fields expected to grow in the coming years,” McLin said. “The average salary is really good around the country. There are good paying jobs for a field that seems to be expanding.”
Read the full article
From their website, North Central Michigan College is described as:
…an open-door community college based in Petoskey. Through its University Center partnerships, students can take courses leading to certificates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from participating universities. North Central’s Institute for Business & Industry Training offers non-credit job skills training tailored to meet individual needs. In addition to its main campus in Petoskey, North Central offers classes, academic advising, testing and other services in Cheboygan, Gaylord and East Jordan.
This program looks like one to watch. I am interested to see how it grows with enrollment as well as course content. I encourage those in the North Central Michigan area to support this program and take a new course or two.
