Over 70 percent of the data we use every day has a geographic component. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a technology that is used to create, analyze and visualize complex data with geographic relationships. GIS links location to information, such as people to addresses and buildings to land parcels, and layers that information to produce maps and analyses that provide a better understanding of how that information interrelates. The GIS software taught at North Harris College combines sophisticated mapping capability with powerful data storage, manipulation, analysis, and presentation tools. GIS is currently being used at North Harris Montgomery Community College District to analyze student demographics, to assist in various economic development projects, to attract Foundation grants to support the college and the GIS program, to identify opportunities for internships for several college programs, to improve community awareness of the college, and to better the quality of life in the Houston area through community projects.
This week North Harris College GIS students met with Ashok Wadwani, owner of Applied Field DataSystems. Wadwani also represents the Education Outreach Committee for Geospatial Information & Technology Association® (GITA). GITA provides exciting, invaluable educational programs for professionals involved with geospatial information and technology. Wadwani met with NHC students to discuss organizing an on-campus GITA student group.
“Being in a GITA student group can open up a wide-range of networking and real world opportunities within the geospatial information and technology field,” say Wadwani. “Additionally, there is no fee charged to the student to be a local member of GITA and students will also be able to have access to site visits of some of the top companies.”
Wadwani’s company, Applied Field Data , offers over 40 years of experience in portable field data collection systems as well as consulting and systems integration services for field data collection, GPS, GIS, Mapping and Surveying applications. His client list includes Exxon, NASA, Center Point Energy, Texas Parks and Wildlife and many others.
GIS Programs at NHC
GIS was first offered as an introductory course at North Harris College in the mid-1990s through the geology Department. In 2000, the course was offered again with plans to establish a full curriculum. A full- time faculty member in GIS and Geology was hired in the fall of 2004. By the end of 2005, a full curriculum was developed and offered at North Harris College. NHC now offers two certificates and an associate of applied science degree. While the program history is short, it has graduated students with all levels of accomplishment. The GIS program is closely coordinated with NHC’s sister college, Cy-Fair College, which also offers a GIS curriculum. The program is guided by an active advisory committee of GIS professionals with extensive workplace experience to insure that the graduates have the critical skills to succeed in the field.
The field of geographic information systems is expanding very rapidly. Many industries and most municipalities now use GIS to help plan and manage their assets and operations. NHC has been able to place all its qualified and interested students in internship or permanent positions.
The science and methodology of GIS is also evolving rapidly. The GIS computer programs are vastly more sophisticated and capable than they were just two years ago. The Internet has become the medium of GIS growth. It is the vehicle that delivers vast amounts of data to GIS professionals and distributes the resulting maps and analyses to a wide array of users. The integration of images, satellite and aerial, is one of areas of major technological advancement in GIS. North Harris College offers a sophisticated course in raster GIS that teaches the application of the latest types of imagery.
The permanent GIS faculty at NHC is a Certified GIS Professional; one of the few in the State of Texas. And, the college is currently pursuing articulation. The demand for GIS professionals includes, and to some extent is shifting, to those with bachelors, masters, and doctorates.
NHC students have become involved in projects within the local community and across the globe. And, they have received recognitions on several levels.
The GIS program at NHC has become an integral part of our local and global community. The students and faculty have undertaken projects for the City of Houston, Harris County, and North Harris College. We have provided GIS support for many organizations including The Center for Houston’s Future, The Park People, Scenic Houston, Scenic Texas, Houston Wilderness, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Gulf Coast Institute, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Texas Forest Service, and the Cypress Creek Greenway Project. Through The Park People, the GIS students and faculty produced the Houston Region Greenway Trails Map that is about to go into a second edition and printing (75,000 maps in print).
In 2004, a disaster struck the Indian Ocean region. Through the faculty membership in the GISCorps, the students were given the opportunity to process imagery and create a GIS for tsunami relief in the Little Andaman Island area. Our partners included Pennsylvania State University and Stanford University. The quality of the GIS labs at NHC and the dedication of the students combined to make a significant contribution to relief and recovery. We received national recognition at the 2005 URISA (GIS national organization) Convention for our work on the project.
North Harris College offers three levels of GIS proficiency. An advisory committee of GIS professionals with extensive workplace experience has guided the development of this curriculum to provide graduates with the critical skills to succeed in the field.
The GIS Technician Certificate program requires 23 hours of course work including Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (CRTG 1411), Cartography and Geography in GIS and GPS (CRTG 1401), and Intro to Raster-Based GIS (CRTG 1421). In these courses you learn the basics of Geographic Information Systems, Global Positioning Systems, and satellite and aerial image analysis through discussion and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art hardware and software.
The GIS Analyst Certificate builds on the GIS Technician Certificate by adding experience in GIS Applications (CRTG 2411), learning more about Data Acquisition and Analysis (CRTG 2401), and pursuing an internship through Cooperative Education (CRTG 2380) or investigating Special Topics (CRTG 1493) for a total of 34 to 35 hours.
The Associate of applied science degree requires a total of 63-64 hours. The AAS degree adds courses that complete your skills in math, science, and general education to the level recommended by our Advisory Committee and the College. Graduates have the essential skills to manage the initiation, development and completion of GIS projects requiring data collection, management and analysis; map product and report development; and final report preparation and project presentation.
For more information about the Geographic Information Systems program, contact the GIS faculty at 218.765.7764 or an NHC counselor at 281.618.5481.
North Harris College is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. Registration for summer 2007 is currently in progress. For general information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit www.northharriscollege.com.
North Harris Montgomery Community College District, among the five largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas, comprises, North Harris College, Kingwood College, Tomball College, Montgomery College, Cy-Fair College, six satellite centers, and The University Center.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03/30/2007
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