Geographic Information Systems FAQs

We offer four types of classes in Geospatial Sciences:

1. 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. Students can expect to take most of their courses in this format.
2. Real-Time Remote: Set meeting time each week via Zoom only, typically reserved for upper-division courses (3000-4000 level). Students can expect to take 1-4 real-time remote courses required for the bachelor degree.
3. 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 1-4 fully online courses required for a certificate or degree.
4. Face-to-Face Field Courses: Meet on campus most weeks for fieldwork in addition to lectures, using equipment like Land Survey GPS and UAVs. Students can expect to take one field course for certificates and four field classes for degrees. We are exploring options for students to participate in field courses without weekly or bi-weekly campus visits.

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

Most GIS classes meet once per week for about four hours, either in the evening (HyFlex and Real-Time Remote) or in the morning (face-to-face field courses). GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS is the only class which meets twice per week for 2.5 hours (either afternoon or evening), based on prior student requests.

Check out 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, GIS 2010, and GIS 2012 are not required for any certificate or degree housed under GIS/Geospatial Science. They are courses in support of our amazing Foresty, Wildlife, and Natural Resources programs on the Larimer Campus.

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

Yes, many students work full time. We offer HyFlex and Real-Time Remote classes once a week and try to schedule in-person field courses on Friday mornings to support students working 4-10s.

The future of the program includes us exploring options for field courses which meet at alternative times, such as longer blocks fewer times per semester.

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

For sure! 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, GIS 2010, and GIS 2012 are not required for any certificate or degree housed under GIS/Geospatial Science. They are courses in support of our amazing Foresty, Wildlife, and Natural Resources programs on the Larimer Campus.

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

We can absolutely transfer previously completed courses or use Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for work/education experience.  However, if it has been a while since your last GIS class (5+ years), or you took an introduction to GIS course in support of another major, or you gained most of your GIS knowledge on the job, you elect to start with GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS for comprehensive coverage of crucial topics in greater detail to better prepare you for success in subsequent GIS courses.

Absolutely! Most of our students are non-traditional, aged from mid-20s to mid-40s and many are returning to school after a long pause.  Our program also has several traditional students (18-22), so you'll find a diverse mix of classmates.

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

The program is stacked: the Foundations of GIS certificate is about half of the GIS Certificate, which is half of the Associate of Applied Science degree, which is half of the Bachelor of Applied Science degree. Students can start with the Foundations certificate and progress towards higher degrees. Along the way, you will earn the corresponding certificate or degree, allowing you to include these achievements on your resume as you work towards your Bachelors degree. Having a stacked program creates a clear and concise path to graduation and allows students to earn at the pace which best fits their lifestyle.

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

The MAP is designed for full-time students and provides a clear path to graduation. However, it can look overwhelming for part-time students. Approximately 75% of our students attend school part-time, and four courses have no prerequisites, allowing flexible planning. Starting with GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS is recommended, as it serves as a gateway course to other classes, which can generally be completed in any order, allowing students to take GIS classes when they fit best into their schedule.

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

Most students can use the computer they already own for the Foundations certificate, provided it's Windows-based or a Mac with an M series processor running Parallels or Bootcamped Intel-based Macs. Beyond that, as the coursework becomes more complex, you may need to upgrade to a newer machine (excluding Macs with an M series processor due to Parallels limitations but including older Macs with an Intel processor). GIS labs are available outside class time with a GIS Student ID card, and are open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm, and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm.

In addition to industry-current courses utilizing several geospatial softwares, we offer workshops on several topics, such as interview skills, cover letter writing, LinkedIn, and scientific poster design. Project-based internships provide real-world experience, helping to overcome the Permission Paradox – the situation where students can't get a job without experience but can't get experience without a job. Within geospatial science, networking is one of the best ways to find employment, thus we support students attending workshops and regional conferences.

While we don’t have job placement, specifically, we do have connections with local geospatial companies and help connect students with local job opportunities, when available.

Yes, if prerequisites are met. Upper-division courses assume completion of GIS 2040 – Raster Based GIS and may require introductory statistics or a geology course with lab.

Yes, maintaining a work-school-family balance is important. If you work half-time, we suggest taking 2-3 classes to start. If you have been out of school for a while or work three-quarters time or full time (for a company or caring for others inside the home), we recommend starting with 1-2 classes. As the first course to take, we recommend GIS 1040 – Vector Based GIS is recommended, pairing it with GIS 1010, GIS 1031, or GIS 1050 if you’d like to take two classes.

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

The cost of school can vary from person to person, all the tuition and fees for Front Range Community College are listed on the Tuition & Fees page.  Many Colorado resident students qualify for the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF), which helps reduce tuition rates. 

Program specific notes:

• In addition to other fees assessed by the Boulder County Campus, each GIS class carries a $25 software fee
• Very few of the GIS classes require students to purchase textbooks or other materials, as we use freely available online materials
• The tuition page shows a higher tuition for the Bachelor of Applied Science classes. This tuition rate is only for upper-division 3000 and 4000 level courses (9 total for the bachelors degree). 1000 and 2000 level courses are still charged at the lower-division rate.

Due to the shorter 10-week term, we offer only four lower-division courses: GIS 1010 – Cartography, GIS 1031 – GPS for GIS, GIS 1050 – Database for GIS, and GIS 2042 – UAV Data Collection and Analysis. However, availability for a specific summer semester is dependent on various factors.

If you have more questions or need further information, please feel free to email Jennifer Muha – Program Lead: jennifer.muha@frontrange.edu. We're here to help you succeed in your academic journey.