Intro. to Geographic Information Systems (GIS A101) course for Fall 2022

This coming fall, Valdez’s GIS (Geographic Information System) Data Manager, Jim Pomplun, will be teaching Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (76904 - GIS A101 – 101) at PWSC.

A “Midwest transplant” originally from Wisconsin, Jim Pomplun has lived in Alaska for almost 20 years, and has lived in Valdez for the past four years. 

“I lived in southeast Alaska, in Ketchikan for 13 years before deciding I needed real winters, so I moved further North. I’m the (Geographic information system) GIS manager. I manage all things maps. It’s kind of my specialty. In every job I’ve had, GIS has been a main component. I did an internship with the US Geological Survey, and I also worked as an entry-level position with the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, both of those involved GIS.”

An experienced GIS manager, Pomplun previously taught an Introduction to GIS course at the University of Southeast in Ketchikan, and now PWSC students have the opportunity to learn about GIS from Pomplun.

Pomplun’s course introduces students to the concepts and practical skills of geographic information systems (GIS). It covers digital representation of geographic objects, data sources, data input and manipulation, map projection and coordinate systems, data management and analysis, and mapping and presentation of geographic information. 

Developing skills in geographic information systems (GIS) can lead to a variety of career paths in government, real estate, public health, crime mapping, landscape architecture, community planning, logistics and so much more.

If interested in this course, you can check out the PWSC / UAA course catalog.
If you have questions, please call 907-834-1600 or email PWSC Admissions Office at pwsc.admissions@alaska.edu