Overview
careers
GPS Technician
Survey Field Technician
GIS Specialist
Spatial Analyst
Mapping Technician
The demand for new employees in GPS, GIS, geospatial mapping and data management is expanding in many industries. A skilled workforce to support the growing industry of mapping technology is needed. This one-year program includes courses in computers, GPS (Global Positioning Systems), data collection, CAD and GIS applications and analysis. Combining aspects of engineering, business, agriculture, energy, and technology, this program will meet current and future industry needs.
Career opportunities will include positions like GPS technician, survey technician, field technician, mapping technician, GIS specialist and more. Knowledge of this equipment and data is vital to people in mining; oil and gas extraction; utilities and communication; construction; manufacturing; transportation; land, water and wildlife management; and personnel who work with data transfer and map production.
Students in this program may combine one year of Geospatial Technologies with one year of Power Line Construction and Maintenance, and, with additional general education courses, will earn an AAS degree.
Graduates with skills produced in the program would find employment in a variety of fields and positions; the occupational code does not fully represent all job titles where graduates would find employment so provides an incomplete picture of the job outlook. Mitchell Tech has consistently heard from its advisory boards across many industries that there are not enough technicians skilled in GPS/GIS and mapping technologies. Their companies are increasingly relying on these technologies for planning, development, and maintenance activities within their respective industries. We anticipate graduates of the Geospatial Technologies program to be employed in a variety of industries: mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; utilities and communication; construction; manufacturing; transportation; and forestry and water resources.
Curriculum
Award: Diploma
First Semester
This course provides an introduction to the tools and techniques involved in data creation, data integration, mapping, and spatial analysis within Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Participants will learn how to construct geodatabases to support field GPS data collection activities. Emphasizing practical experience, the course includes extensive hands-on training with ESRI’s suite of products, ensuring students gain valuable skills in applying GIS technology.
4 creditsThis course provides an introduction to computer-aided drafting (CAD) software tailored for specific technological applications. It focuses on mastering the software’s command structure and adhering to drafting standards relevant to particular technical domains. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to produce and plot basic drawings.
2 creditsAn introduction to programing structured text languages using languages such as Blocky, C and Python. The use of a Microcontroller, on the VEX Robotics Platform, will give the student the basic concepts to understand code structure, Boolean logic, variables, strings, lists, and other data structures. The goal is for the student to learn the methods and thought processes behind planning a good set of instructions and steps before the programming process begins.
2 creditsProvides a foundation for gaining the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for college success. Students will learn to make a successful transition to higher education by setting up a pattern of success that will last the rest of their lives. Students will define goals and develop thinking skills, learning strategies and personal qualities essential to both academic and career success. Please note: Students who have served active military duty (excluding basic training and AIT) may be exempt from the Student Success course. Student must provide a copy of DD214 or other official military documentation to the registrar for verification.
1 creditSecond Semester
This course advances from CAD I, exploring more sophisticated techniques. It encompasses advanced AutoCAD concepts such as assigning data to blocks and the import and export of AutoCAD files to and from other software applications. While primarily focused on 2D drawing, the course also introduces 3D isometric views. Additionally, students will utilize Revit for 3D modeling, enhancing their skills in creating detailed architectural and structural designs for indoor mapping.
2 creditsIn this course, students will engage with a variety of cloud-based geospatial tools, including but not limited to products from ESRI, Trimble, DJI, DroneDeploy, PIX4D, NIRA, and Adobe. The curriculum is designed to concentrate on the entire workflow of geospatial data handling in the cloud, covering data collection, editing, analysis, integration, management, and final product production. Emphasis will be placed on leveraging cloud technology to efficiently and effectively manage geospatial projects.
2 creditsBuilding on the Introduction to GIS, this course further explores the practical applications of GIS technology. It emphasizes hands-on experience in GIS modeling, analysis, and problem-solving, tailored towards real-world scenarios, including both indoor and outdoor mapping, planning, and geo-referencing. The curriculum aims to develop students’ proficiency in utilizing GIS to address and solve intricate geographical challenges, equipping them with advanced skills for creating effective solutions in a variety of contexts.
4 creditsThis course concentrates on the acquisition, application, interpretation, and development of data collected remotely. Students will gain hands-on experience using a range of high-end industrial and consumer drones for flight operations and data collection. Access to leading software and tools such as ESRI, DroneDeploy, Pix4D, and Adobe will enable students to generate data, video products, and mapping solutions that align with current industry needs. Additionally, the course prepares students to take the Remote Pilot Certified Small UAS exam, aiming to qualify them as commercially certified Part 107 drone pilots.
3 creditsDetailed instruction on the use of Microsoft Excel covering beginning, intermediate, and advanced concepts. Concepts covered include working with formulas and functions; creating and formatting charts graphs and pivot tables/pivot charts; sorting and filtering lists; data consolidation between multiple worksheets and workbooks; and importing and exporting of data.
3 creditsRequirements
Computer Requirements
This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for a Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,150 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program.
Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into a Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.
Outcomes
At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate organizational skills in file and database management
- Apply GIS analysis to address geospatial problems and/or research questions
- Use geospatial tools to collect, organize, analyze, and synthesize information
- Obtain UAV Remote Pilot Certification
- Use GPS and UAVs to attain and process original data
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2023-24 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Cost
Other Required Costs
Laptop/Software | $1,150 |
Books / Tools (estimated) | $281 |
Scholarships
$750
1 AVAIL.
SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship
SD Municipal Electric Association
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
$1000
4 AVAIL.
Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
1 AVAIL.
Mitchell Tech Retiree Endowed Scholarship
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
Office Technology Specialist
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
2 AVAIL.
Laverne & Nell Tollefson Memorial Scholarship
Charlene Bainbridge
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Administrative Office Specialist
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Engineering Technology
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Diesel Power – Light Truck Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
On Campus
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Progressive Welding Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Registered Nursing (LPN to RN)
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
2 AVAIL.
John And Diane Weber “Career Change” Endowed Scholarship
John and Diane Weber Family and Friends
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$500
1 AVAIL.
Daniel Roy Todd Memorial Scholarship
Daniel Todd Family
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology