Geospatial Science FAQs

Geospatial science is the study of data tied to place. It's the field behind the systems that route emergency vehicles, model wildfire behavior, monitor crop health from satellite, track disease outbreaks, and map the surface of other worlds. Geographic information systems, or GIS, is one of the central tools of the field, but geospatial science also encompasses remote sensing, GPS and GNSS, UAS and drone data collection, photogrammetry, LiDAR, land surveying, spatial databases, and advanced spatial analysis.

It's one of the fastest-growing fields in information technology, and geospatial skills show up across industries that aren't typically thought of as tech fields, including public health, agriculture, defense, emergency management, conservation, and urban planning.

For a deeper dive into what geospatial science actually covers and what geospatial scientists do, visit our Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide

We offer four types of classes in Geospatial Sciences:

• HyFlex
  Classes have a scheduled meeting time each week with the option to attend on campus, via Zoom, or a combination of both. Classes can be recorded on request. Most geospatial science courses use this format.
• Real-Time Remote
  Set meeting time each week via Zoom only, typically used for upper-division courses (3000 and 4000 level). Students can expect to take one to four real-time remote courses in the bachelor's degree path.
• Fully Online (Asynchronous)
  No set meeting time. Students complete assignments within a set period before moving on to the next module. Students can expect to take one to four fully online courses across a certificate or degree.
• Face-to-Face Field Courses
  Required field courses meet on campus for two Friday/Saturday blocks per course, with the remaining weekly meetings held via real-time remote. Field courses use professional equipment including survey-grade GPS/GNSS receivers and UAS. Certificate students have one field course totaling four campus days. Associate and bachelor's degree students have four field courses totaling 16 campus days.

Look over the GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide for which classes meet in each format.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide

Most geospatial science courses meet once per week for about four hours. HyFlex and Real-Time Remote courses meet in the evening. Field courses meet Friday mornings for on-campus sessions, with remaining weekly meetings held via real-time remote in the evening. GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS is the only course that meets twice per week for approximately 2.5 hours each session, based on prior student feedback.

You can check the current schedule via the Online Class Schedule. Note: GIS 1001, GIS 2010, and GIS 2012 are not required for any geospatial science certificate or degree. They are courses offered in support of our amazing Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources programs on the Larimer Campus.

Look over the GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide for which classes meet in each format.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide

Yes, many of our students work full-time. Evening HyFlex and Real-Time Remote courses meet once a week and are designed with working adults in mind. Field courses combine once-a-week evening real-time remote meetings with two on-campus Friday/Saturday blocks per course, giving you predictable, plannable campus days rather than weekly commutes.

Approximately 75% of our students attend school part-time and starting with one or two courses is completely reasonable. If you work full-time or are balancing significant family responsibilities, we recommend starting with one to two courses. GIS 1040 - Vector Based GIS (Fall, Spring) is the recommended first course, and pairs well with GIS 1010 – Cartography (Fall, Spring, Summer), GIS 1031 – GPS for GIS (Spring, Summer), or GIS 1050 – Relational Database Management for GIS (Fall, Spring, Summer) if you'd like to take two classes your first semester. If you start school in the Summer, you also have the option to take GIS 2042 – UAS Data Collection and Processing (Summer only – required for the Associates of Applied Science in Geospatial Sciences, Bachelor of Applied Science in Geospatial Sciences, and the new UAS for Resource Management certificate program).

Review the GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide for course formats and sequencing.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide

Yes, and many of our students do exactly that for their entire program. Maintaining a work, school, and family balance is important, and the program is designed with that in mind. FRCC calls this strategic scheduling, and the Geospatial Science program is one of the best examples of it at the college.

If you work full time or are carrying significant responsibilities outside of school, we recommend starting with one to two courses. If you work part time, two to three courses is a reasonable starting load. Either way, you'll get there.

As a first course, GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS (Fall, Spring) is strongly recommended. It serves as the gateway to most other courses in the program and pairs well with GIS 1010 – Cartography (Fall, Spring, Summer), GIS 1031 – GPS for GIS (Spring, Summer), or GIS 1050 – Relational Database Management for GIS (Fall, Spring, Summer). If you start school in the Summer, you also have the option to take GIS 2042 – UAS Data Collection and Processing (Summer only – required for the Associates of Applied Science in Geospatial Sciences, Bachelor of Applied Science in Geospatial Sciences, and the new UAS for Resource Management certificate program).

Review the GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide for course sequencing and prerequisite details, and don't hesitate to reach out to your advisor to build a plan that fits your life.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide

The cost varies depending on your residency status, how many credits you transfer in, and how quickly you progress through the program. See full tuition and fee details.

A few program-specific things worth knowing:

Each GIS course at the 1000 and 2000 level carries a $30 course fee to support software and lab resources. Upper-division 3000 and 4000 level GIS courses do not carry this fee, but are charged at the higher bachelor's degree tuition rate. All 1000 and 2000 level courses, including general education requirements, are charged at the standard lower-division rate.

Very few GIS courses require students to purchase textbooks or other materials. We rely heavily on freely available online resources, open-source documentation, and software provided by the program. Book costs, when they occur, are most likely in general education courses like English, math, and science.

Colorado residents may qualify for the College Opportunity Fund (COF), a state stipend that reduces tuition for eligible residents. Students from eligible western states may qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) rate, which brings out-of-state costs significantly closer to in-state rates.

As a rough planning number, a Colorado resident with COF starting from zero credits can expect to complete the full bachelor's degree for around $30,000 all in. Out-of-state students pay approximately $90,000, or around $39,000 with the WUE rate.

Several scholarships are also available specifically for geospatial science students, including annual awards from GIS Colorado, The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), and the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), as well as general scholarships through the FRCC Foundation. Talk to your advisor about what you may qualify for.

Absolutely. Most of our students are non-traditional adults, typically in their mid-20s through mid-40s, and many are returning to school after a significant pause. You'll find a diverse mix of classmates including recent high school graduates, mid-career professionals, military veterans, and people making a full career change. Whatever your starting point, the program is designed to meet you there.

If you have been out of school for a while and are feeling uncertain about jumping back in, starting with one course is a completely reasonable approach. GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS is the recommended first course and gives you a solid sense of the program before committing to a full semester load. Many of our students continue taking one or two courses at a time for their entire program, and that's a perfectly valid path to graduation. We also offer a monthly Saturday morning workshop series designed with geospatial science students in mind, covering student success topics like note-taking, study skills, and time management, open to all GIS majors. If getting back into the rhythm of being a student feels daunting, you're not alone and we have support in place for exactly that.

The program is fully stacked, meaning each credential builds directly on the last. The Foundations of GIS Certificate (12 credits) is roughly half of the GIS Certificate (29 credits), which is roughly half of the Associate of Applied Science (60 credits), which is half of the Bachelor of Applied Science (120 credits). You don't have to commit to the full bachelor's degree to get started, and you don't have to stop at a certificate if you want more.

One of the real advantages of this structure is that you earn real, standalone credentials along the way. Students on the bachelor's path automatically earn the Foundations Certificate, the GIS Certificate, and the AAS as they progress. You're never just 'degree in progress.' You graduate early and often, adding credentials to your resume while you keep building toward your next goal.

If you're unsure where to start or how far you want to go, talk to your advisor. Many students start with the Foundations Certificate and decide to keep going once they're in the program.

Review the GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide for the full degree path and course sequencing.

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The program offers both full-time and part-time My Academic Plans (MAPs) as starting points, but we understand that even those may not perfectly fit every student's life. FRCC calls this approach strategic scheduling, and the Geospatial Science program is built around it. The GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide clearly lays out prerequisites, course sequencing, and which semesters each course is offered, giving you the information you need to build a schedule that works around your job, family, and other responsibilities.

Many of our students take one or two courses per semester for the entire duration of their program, and that's a completely legitimate path. It takes longer, but it gets you there without blowing up your life in the process. GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS is the recommended first course, as it serves as the gateway to most other courses in the program. Beyond that, many courses can be taken in flexible order once prerequisites are met.

Absolutely! You can look at the schedule for the current and one past semester via the Online Class Search. The Class Schedule page can also be found via the Programs & Degrees dropdown > Class Schedule > Online Class Search.

Please note: GIS 1001 – Introduction to GIS, GIS 2010 – Intermediate GIS, and GIS 2012 – Remote Sensing are not required for any certificate or degree housed under GIS/Geospatial Science. They are courses in support of our amazing Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources programs on the Larimer Campus.

Look over the GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide which classes meet in which format.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide

Possibly. We can transfer previously completed courses or apply Credit for Prior Learning for relevant work or education experience on a case-by-case basis.

That said, if it has been five or more years since your last GIS course, if you took an introduction to GIS course in support of another major, or if most of your GIS knowledge came from on-the-job experience, you may want to consider starting with GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS. Comprehensive coverage of foundational topics in that course will better prepare you for success in subsequent courses. Talk to your advisor about what makes the most sense for your background.

Most students can use the computer they already own for the Foundations Certificate, provided it meets minimum requirements. A Windows-based PC is strongly recommended. Mac users with an Intel-based processor can run ArcGIS Pro using Boot Camp. Mac users with an M-series processor may use Parallels, though performance limitations become more significant as coursework advances and processing demands increase.

As you progress into more computationally intensive upper-division coursework, an older or lower-powered machine may start to slow you down. If you have questions about whether your current computer will work, reach out to the program director before you buy anything new.

GIS labs are available outside of class time with a GIS Student ID card, open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm, and are a good option if you need access to a more powerful machine.

Beyond industry-current coursework, the Geospatial Science program offers a range of support to help students move from the classroom into a career.

We offer workshops on practical professional skills including interview preparation, cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile development, and scientific poster design. We also offer a monthly Saturday morning workshop series covering student success topics like note-taking, study skills, and time management, open to all geospatial science students, new and returning. We heard the feedback that jumping into a technical program can be overwhelming even before the GIS starts, and we built something to help with that.

Project-based internships and capstone experiences provide real-world portfolio pieces that help overcome what we call the Permission Paradox, the situation where you can't get a job without experience but can't get experience without a job.

All graduating bachelor's degree seniors are required to sit for the GISP-E exam, the professional certification for emerging GIS professionals, with the exam fee covered by the program. Associate degree graduates may also opt in. Arriving at your first job interview with an independently verified professional credential is a meaningful advantage.

Networking is one of the most effective ways to find employment in geospatial science, and we actively support students in attending workshops and regional conferences like GIS in the Rockies and the Elevations Geospatial Summit.

While we don't have formal job placement, we maintain connections with local geospatial employers and help connect students with opportunities when they arise.

Yes, as long as you meet the prerequisites. You do not need to formally declare the bachelor's degree to enroll in upper-division courses. All upper-division courses assume completion of GIS 2040 – Raster Based GIS at minimum, and some require introductory statistics or a geology course with lab. Check the GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide for the full prerequisite list for each course.

This is also a good option for working professionals who want to add specific advanced skills without committing to a full degree program. And if you decide later that you want to pursue the bachelor's degree, any upper-division coursework you've already completed counts toward it.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide

Due to the shorter 10-week summer term, we offer four lower-division courses: GIS 1010 – Introduction to Cartography for GIS, GIS 1031 – Global Positioning Systems for GIS, GIS 1050 – Relational Database Management for GIS, and GIS 2042 – UAS Operations and Data Collection. Availability for any specific summer semester depends on enrollment and staffing, so check the current schedule to confirm.

Students finishing their AAS or bachelor's degree can also complete their Capstone, Internship, or Practicum in the summer, and many students choose to do exactly that. These are only available to students who are at or near the end of their program.

Students on the associate or bachelor's degree path can also use summer semesters to complete general education requirements like math, English, science, computer science, and multi-media graphic design courses, which are widely available in the summer across FRCC campuses and through Colorado Online. Summer is a great opportunity to make progress on those requirements without competing with your GIS coursework during the regular semester.

The GISP-E, or Geographic Information Systems Professional - Emerging, is a professional certification for new and emerging GIS professionals administered by the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI). It's the official entry point into the GISP credential pathway, which is the recognized professional certification in the geospatial field.

The exam covers 13 knowledge areas including analytical methods, data modeling, cartography and visualization, remote sensing, geospatial data, and conceptual foundations. It's software-agnostic, meaning it tests your understanding of the science and methodology rather than any specific platform. The exam is proctored online through Pearson VUE and costs $125, with the fee covered by the program for graduating FRCC seniors.

We require it because we believe graduating with an independently verified professional credential matters. The exam blueprint was built directly from GIS course syllabi submitted by instructors across the country, so a program that teaches the full breadth of the field is, by design, preparing students for it. Every FRCC student who has sat for the exam to date has passed.

Passing earns you the GISP-E credential and the right to use the post-nominal 'GISP-E' after your name. It also puts you on the formal pathway toward the full GISP certification once you've accumulated the required professional experience. The exam is offered in April and November. AAS graduates may also opt in.

Learn more about the GISCI PreGISP program.

Upper-division courses (3000 and 4000 level courses) in the bachelor's degree program follow an alternating odd/even year schedule across fall and spring semesters. A course offered in the Fall of an even year (like Fall 2026), for example, won't be offered again until the Fall of the next even year (Fall 2028), two years later. The same applies to Spring offerings. This is common in specialized programs where course sections are smaller and faculty resources are focused, and it's not unique to FRCC, but it does require more careful planning than a program where every course runs every semester or every year.

The reality is that if you miss the semester a course is offered, you will wait two full years before it's available again. For students on a tight timeline, that can add significantly to your degree path.

The solution is to start taking eligible upper-division courses as soon as you meet the prerequisites, well before you finish the AAS. You don't have to formally declare the bachelor's degree to enroll in upper-division courses. As long as you meet the prerequisites, the courses are open to you.

One practical strategy is to use summer semesters and early semesters in your program to knock out the non-GIS prerequisites that feed into upper-division courses. Statistics, geology, and introductory computer science courses are all required prerequisites for specific upper-division GIS courses, and they're widely available across FRCC campuses and through Colorado Online. Getting those done early (or transferring credits from another accredited institution) keeps your upper-division path clear and gives you the most flexibility when those alternating-year courses open up.

The GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide clearly shows which courses run in which years and semesters. Review it early, talk to your advisor, and map out your upper-division sequence before you need it rather than after. A little planning at the start of your bachelor's path can save you a full academic year at the end.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide

We're happy to help. The best place to start is with the GIS/Geospatial Science Course Planning guide, which answers a lot of common questions about course sequencing, prerequisites, and delivery formats.

If you still have questions after that, reach out directly to the program lead:
Jennifer Muha, Geospatial Science Program Lead jennifer.muha@frontrange.edu

You can also connect with an FRCC advisor for questions about financial aid, transfer credits, enrollment, and general college navigation. We want you to have the information you need to make a good decision about whether this program is the right fit for you, and we're genuinely happy to talk it through.

east Geospatial Science Course Planning Guide