What is Geospatial Technology?

Geospatial technology refers to a set of technologies which are used to capture, store, manage, analyze and visualize geospatial information—the information related to locations on Earth’s Surface. They are widely used in our daily life, government agencies, and almost every industry.

Examples of Geospatial Technology and Applications

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) let us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns, and trends. GIS benefits organizations of all sizes and in almost every industry.

Remote sensing (RS) is the acquisition of information about an object without making physi-cal contact with the object. It uses satellite– or aircraft–based sensors to detect and classify spatial objects on the Earth. It has been widely used in surveying land, wildfire detection, cli-mate change, and most Earth Science disciplines.

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based radio-navigation system which provides geo-location and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth surface. GPS provides critical positioning capabilities to military, civil, and commercial users around the world.

Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. Digital cartography, or digital map-ping, is the technology concerned with the construction and use of computer-based systems for the practice of cartography and its applications.

What will you learn?

Through the program you will develop an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of geospatial technologies and gain the skills needed to construct high-quality applications. The courses included in the certificate are:

GEOG/GIS 20 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 units)

GEOG/GIS 23 Intermediate GIS (3 units)

GEOG/GIS 25 Introduction to Cartography (3 units)

GEOG/GIS 26 Introduction to Remote Sensing (3 units)

GEOG/GIS 27 Applications in GIS (3 units)

Geospatial Technology Certificate Program

Contact Information: Jing Liu (PhD, Professor) EMAIL: LIU_JING@SMC.EDU OFFICE: DH 314K (310-434-4707) ADDRESS: SANTA MONICA COLLEGE 1900 PICO BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90405