Collin College Geospatial Information Science
Geospatial Information Science (GIS) is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the study, analysis, and management of geospatial data and information.
Collin's GIS program prepares students for employment utilizing industry-leading GIS software and provides students with foundational mapping and analysis skills that are used in science and almost every industry. The GIS program is designed to prepare students for employment as entry-level GIS technicians or analysts, or to provide students already in the workforce with skills needed by their employers.
To learn a little about GIS and some ways it's used, scroll down...
Geospatial Information Science encompasses various components of technology and data related to geographic locations on Earth's surface. The following is a breakdown of key components:
Geographic Information Systems (also known as GIS) are a fundamental technology within geospatial information science. It involves the collection, storage, analysis, and visualization of geographic data. GIS software and tools allow users to create maps, analyze spatial relationships, and make informed decisions based on geographic information.
This map displays US wildfire locations (active/recent) and other sources of information related to wildfires. Click on a wildfire symbol to get more information.
Spatial Data: GIS deals with all types of spatial data, including geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude), land cover, terrain elevation, weather patterns, and more. This data is typically represented using maps, satellite imagery, or 3D models.
Data Analysis: GIS includes various analytical techniques for examining patterns, trends, and relationships within geospatial data. These analyses can inform decision-making in fields such as urban planning, environmental management, public health, and transportation.
This map presents the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which was created to help emergency response planners and public health officials identify and map the communities that will most likely need support before, during, and after a hazardous event. SVI uses U.S. Census data to determine the social vulnerability of every county and tract. SVI ranks each county and tract on 16 social factors, including poverty, lack of vehicle access, and crowded housing, and groups them into four related themes:
- Socioeconomic Status
- Household Characteristics
- Racial & Ethnic Minority Status
- Housing Type & Transportation
Zoom in on the map and click on an area to view additional information about its SVI.
Remote Sensing: Remote sensing involves the use of sensors and imagery from satellites, aircraft, drones, or ground-based instruments to collect data about Earth's surface. Remote sensing data plays a crucial role in GIS by providing real-time or historical information about the environment.
This is an interactive map created by Google using satellite imagery starting from 1984. The timelapse series presents us with a view of how quickly the Earth can change.
Cartography: The art and science of mapmaking are integral to geospatial information science. Cartographers design and create maps that effectively communicate geographic information to a wide range of users.
Spatial Modeling: GIS involves creating models and simulations to predict and analyze spatial phenomena. For example, it can help model the spread of diseases, traffic flow, or natural disasters.
This map displays high tide flooding probablities through 2100.
Click the Play button on the time slider to view the predicted number of flood days over time.
Geospatial Technologies: Advancements in technology, including GPS (Global Positioning System), GIS software, and web-based mapping tools, have transformed how geospatial data is collected and used.
Collin College Campuses
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Student lesson: Hawaii shelter access web-map
In 2018, the Kilauea eruption on the island of Hawaii produced 14-square miles of lava that incinerated more than 700 homes in its path before reaching the Pacific Ocean. In this lesson, students learned how to analyze volcano shelter accessibility in Hawaii utilizing ArcGIS Online. They created an online web-map to display the results.
Student project: Map of Land Use in McKinney, TX
Student downloaded and classified Landsat 8 satellite imagery using ArcGIS Pro to analyze how land use in McKinney, Texas has changed over time.
Student project: Frisco's Safe Streets
Student used ArcGIS Pro to analyze various sets of data from the City of Frisco and the Texas Department of Transportation to determine which streets in Frisco, TX are safest for cyclists.
Student project: Map of New Orleans Population post Hurricane Katrina
The student analyzed Landsat5 imagery and U.S. Census data in ArcMap to map changes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Student Lesson
For this project, students were required to geocode a spreadsheet of public housing addresses and create a map of the area.
