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Understanding Our World through GIS

Geographic Information Systems helps us to understand a variety of issues in our world by bringing context and visual texture to digital information from a variety of sources. This discussion will illustrate how we understand our world better by examining our local community's use of GIS for emergency response and planning for earthquakes and wildfires; understanding, managing, and preserving historic and cultural resources, such as the Lewis & Clark Trail; and protecting our natural resources such as the Helena Valley Aquifer.

The GIS Certificate is designed, similar to a minor, to allow students from any background to add it to their degree and skill set.  Unlike a minor, it does not require the students to get a major or degree to accompany it. 

At Carroll, programs using or exploring GIS techniques include Environmental Studies, Math, Engineering and Computer Science, Public Health and Sociology, although the research and analysis skills can be applied to any discipline that has spatial data analysis needs.

Computer Information Systems Major

Carroll College now has a new major in Computer Information Systems (CIS). This degree is recommended for students who are interested primarily in a career in the application of technology in the business environment. It combines current Carroll business classes with applied Computer Science classes to develop skills that are immediately applicable to the job world.

With the the CIS degree, the math and theory are replaced with business classes selected to develop the student’s ability to manage successful implementations and understand and design accountability into the technology processes. This program combines Carroll’s strong applied CS classes (networks, database, security and software and web development) with management, project management and other business classes.

Students in this program would likely go into the job market and would qualify for the large number of currently unfilled jobs and internships advertised at Carroll. If students choose to get additional education, they would need about three additional classes to be prepared for either a Master’s Degree in Computer Science or for an MBA.

Please contact Dave Marshall (406.447.4458), Steve Harper (406.447.4466), Phil Rose (406.447.4456) or for more information.

Computer Science

Computer science students are well prepared to tackle a wide variety of situations once they graduate from Carroll.

How are we doing? Ask our former students. The combination of a liberal arts education with a computer science major allows students to integrate a broad liberal arts education with more specific areas of focus. Students can prepare for graduate school, specialize in database architecture, network and web technologies or software development. Interdisciplinary majors with an emphasis in Business, the sciences, Engineering or Math are also common. With this greater understanding of different disciplines, students learn to develop better solutions and to analyze and solve more interesting and complex problems.

Please contact Dave Marshall (406.447.4458), Steve Harper (406.447.4466), Phil Rose (406.447.4456) or for more information.

Classes are designed with labs in order for students to actually perform the programming and networking that is presented in class.

Teaching what employers want

Professors have worked as professionals and take pride in offering classes incorporating current technologies and issues. Current classroom initiatives include using Java as the primary first year development language, developing a hands on routing switching and network security lab using Cisco, Microsoft and Linux technologies, and implementing industry and open source web and database technologies such as Oracle and MySql products.

Last updated: July 21, 2008