GIS 2040 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

College of Natural Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2012 (450)

Requisites

(Prerequisite ENC 0025 and
Prerequisite REA 0017 and
Prerequisite MAT 0028) or
(Prerequisite EAP 1695 and
Prerequisite MAT 0028)

Course Description

This course will introduce the student to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in spatial data exploration, map layout creation, and data editing and analysis. This is a survey-level course that assumes no prior knowledge of GIS. Topics covered will include the applications of GIS in various fields, the structure of the ArcGIS platform, the use of different tools to explore and modify spatial data, and the analysis of spatial data to answer “real world” questions.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of what a GIS is and what its applications are to common job-related tasks by:
    1. describing the history of GIS. summarizing effectively numerical data in attribute tables.
    2. identifying different types of GIS and explaining the structure of common GIS platforms.
    3. explaining the concept of a “smart map” and the describing the benefits of having access to information stored in multiple map layers in one document.
    4. explaining what a shapefile is and describing its file structure.
    5. discussing novel applications of GIS in different real-world situations.
  2. The student will understand the fundamentals of spatial data by:
    1. identifying potential sources of spatial data including, but not limited to, public data repositories, direct transfer of GPS data, and digitized data.
    2. explaining the differences between vector and raster data and identifying when one format is preferable to the other.
    3. describing the different types of vector data and identifying the circumstances under which each should be used.
    4. explaining what a datum is and describing its role in coordinate systems.
    5. identifying widely used coordinate systems.
    6. describing the similarities and differences between geographic coordinate systems and projected coordinate systems.
    7. explaining what a map projection is and identifying the benefits and drawbacks of widely-used map projections.
    8. explaining the general structure of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and what key differences exist between different classes of GPS.
    9. describing limitations of spatial data in terms of accuracy and availability. Additionally, students will utilize field data collection to make inferences regarding the accuracy of different types of publically-available datasets and/or the data output from recreational grade GPS units.
  3. The student will use the GIS to visualize spatial data and explore spatial data attributes by:
    1. describing how to add, order, and turn GIS layers on/off.
    2. explaining how to use basic data viewing tools to view data and obtain information about individual features.
    3. querying attribute tables to extract non-spatial information.
    4. creating data charts and graphs of attribute data.
  4. The student will illustrate the fundamentals of map design by:
    1. listing the components of complete maps and using these components when designing map layouts.
    2. describing continuous vs. discrete data and using symbology appropriate to each to effectively represent map data.
    3. using different classification techniques to group and symbolize continuous data.
    4. selecting appropriate scales when designing map layouts.
    5. converting map layouts to other formats for presentation and distribution.
  5. The student will perform basic data editing techniques by:
    1. describing and using basic editing tools to modify spatial data.
    2. adjusting shape and location of points, lines, and polygons.
    3. adding and editing fields of attribute tables of existing shapefiles.
    4. maintaining topological integrity when creating or modifying vector data.
    5. creating spatial data through various methods including, but not limited to, adding and editing a new feature class, bringing coordinate data into the GIS in tabular form, and adding data to an existing feature class.
  6. The student will apply the GIS in answering multidisciplinary questions by:
    1. using intersection and union techniques to create new feature classes with attributes of both input feature classes.
    2. utilizing buffers to identify features within a set distance of other types of features.
    3. querying attribute tables and creating new feature classes of the resulting output.
    4. querying data using spatial relationships and joining features from different feature classes based on these spatial relationships.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Effective 20101(0430). Amended prerequisites effective 20112(0450).
C&I Approval: 05/25/2010, BOT Approval: 07/22/2010, Effective Term: Spring 2012 (450)

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