# Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses

College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog · 9 courses

Source: https://catalog.collegeofthedesert.edu/courses/gis/

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026.

### GIS 021 — Introduction to GIS

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 36, Lab Hours: 54
- **Advisory:** AIS 005.
- **C-ID:** GEOG 155
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are software systems that allow users to integrate spatially related information from spreadsheets with smart mapping capabilities. In this course, students work with ESRI ArcGIS software to learn fundamental concepts of performing GIS tasks: identification and acquisition of GIS data; assessment of vector and raster systems, scale, resolution, map projection, coordinate systems; georeferencing and Global Positioning Systems (GPS); spatial analysis and modeling with GIS. Students will also learn how GIS technology can be applied to many fields including environmental research, government, business, real estate, health care, urban planning, fire technology, agriculture, landscape design, anthropology, and more. (Equivalent to NR 021.)(C-ID GEOG 155)

### GIS 022 — Data Acquisition and Management in Geographic Information Systems

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 36, Lab Hours: 54
- **Prerequisite:** NR 021 or GIS 021.
- **Advisory:** AIS 005 or CIS 010.
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS

This course provides a general survey of basic methods of data acquisition, database design and management for Geographic Information System (GIS) and focuses on the specific data requirements of GIS. Students will examine methods of digitizing preexisting data and explore database development and management. Students will use their knowledge to complete GIS projects.

### GIS 023 — Spatial Analysis in Geographic Information Systems

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 54
- **Prerequisite:** NR 021 or GIS 021.
- **Advisory:** AIS 005 or CIS 010.
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS

This course provides a general survey of the fundamentals of spatial information systems and a survey of quantitative techniques applicable to spatial data. This course is focused on the functionality of GIS as an effective tool for modeling and analyzing complex spatial relationships. The applications of a variety of quantitative methods will be explored using GIS software including ArcGIS and AcrInfo. Students will use their knowledge to complete a GIS project.

### GIS 024 — Geographic Information Systems for Business

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 36, Lab Hours: 54
- **Prerequisite:** NR 021 or GIS 021.
- **Advisory:** AIS 005 or CIS 010.
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS

This introductory course focuses on understanding and utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) solutions in business. It is not a substitute for the basic GIS course. Students will apply the use of ArcGIS to identify and display retail markets, evaluate the suitability of sites for establishing or relocating a business or to expand sales territories.

### GIS 321A — Map Layout & Presentation

- **Units:** 0
- **Hours:** Noncredit Hours: 45
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: Yes
- Grading: Pass/No Pass
- Degree Applicable: NONC

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are software systems that allow users to integrate spatially related information from spreadsheets with smart mapping capabilities. In this course, students work with ESRI ArcGIS software to learn fundamental concepts of performing GIS tasks: identification and acquisition of GIS data; assessment of vector and raster systems, scale, resolution, map projection, coordinate systems; georeferencing and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Students will also learn how GIS technology can be applied to many fields including environmental research, government, business, real estate, health care, urban planning, fire technology, agriculture, landscape design, anthropology, and more. (Equivalent to NR 321A.)

### GIS 321B — Editing & Analyzing Map Data

- **Units:** 0
- **Hours:** Noncredit Hours: 45
- **Prerequisite:** NR-321A or GIS-321A or concurrent enrollment.
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: Yes
- Grading: Pass/No Pass
- Degree Applicable: NONC

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are software systems that allow users to integrate spatially related information from spreadsheets with smart mapping capabilities. In this course, students work with ESRI ArcGIS software to learn fundamental concepts of performing GIS tasks: assessment of vector and raster systems, scale, resolution, map projection, coordinate systems; (GPS); querying and editing spatial analysis and modeling with GIS. Students will also learn how GIS technology can be applied to many fields including environmental research, government, business, real estate, health care, urban planning, fire technology, agriculture, landscape design, anthropology, and more. Students will learn how to create web-based interactive maps and web applications using ESRI's ArcGIS Online platform. (Equivalent to NR 321B.)

### GIS 322 — Data Acquisition and Management in Geographic Information Systems

- **Units:** 0
- **Hours:** Noncredit Hours: 90
- **Prerequisite:** NR 321B or GIS 321B.
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: Yes
- Grading: Pass/No Pass
- Degree Applicable: NONC

This course provides a general survey of basic methods of data acquisition, database design and management for Geographic Information System (GIS) and focuses on the specific data requirements of GIS. Students will examine methods of digitizing preexisting data and explore database development and management. Students will use their knowledge to complete GIS projects.

### GIS 323 — Spatial Analysis in Geographic Information Systems

- **Units:** 0
- **Hours:** Noncredit Hours: 54
- **Prerequisite:** GIS 321B or NR 321B or GIS 021 or NR 021 or concurrent enrollment.
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: Yes
- Grading: Pass/No Pass
- Degree Applicable: NONC

This course provides a general survey of the fundamentals of spatial information systems and a survey of quantitative techniques applicable to spatial data. This course is focused on the functionality of GIS as an effective tool for modeling and analyzing complex spatial relationships. The applications of a variety of quantitative methods will be explored using GIS software including ArcGIS and AcrInfo. Students will use their knowledge to complete a GIS project.

### GIS 324 — Geographic Information Systems for Business

- **Units:** 0
- **Hours:** Noncredit Hours: 90
- **Prerequisite:** GIS 321B or NR 321B or GIS 021 or NR 021 or concurrent enrollment.
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: Yes
- Grading: Pass/No Pass
- Degree Applicable: NONC

This introductory course focuses on understanding and utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) solutions in business. It is not a substitute for the basic GIS course. Students will apply the use of ArcGIS to identify and display retail markets evaluate the suitability of sites for establishing or relocating a business or to expand sales territories.