Course Syllabus
Course: GEO 2800
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Geology
Title: Intermediate Geographic Information Systems
Semester Approved: Spring 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
End Semester: Fall 2028
Catalog Description: This course will cover principles of geographic data acquisition, processing, and display through digital methods. Students will learn how to use GIS to generate information for spatial-decision making and understand the limitations and pitfalls of using GIS in spatial analysis. This course is designed to be applied to any field ranging from business to natural resources and from social science to engineering.
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 4; Lecture: 3; Lab: 2
Prerequisites: While there are no prerequisites for this class, students should be highly computer literate and if possible have taken either GEO 1700 or 1800 prior to taking this course.
Justification: This course is intended as an elective for students that will give them an advantage in many fields of study, both in their future course work and in their future employment. Many public schools in Utah are starting to introduce students to the uses of GIS as early as elementary school. Most colleges and universities in Utah offer a similar intermediate content course. Examples of these are: Salt Lake Community College GEOG 2800, Utah State University GEOG 2800 & WILD 2800.
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course students will be adept at using the fundamental capabilities of the ArcGIS software and also have experience in teaching themselves new components of the software to prepare them for an expanded use of ArcGIS in the future. They will be introduced to and show competency in the GIS skills (see Content below), as well as become comfortable with and be able to use the vocabulary of GIS. This outcome will be assessed in minor projects, major projects exercise reports, and labs.
Students will be able to research, acquire, edit, and create spatial data. This will be assessed through quizzes, homework labs, and a final project.
Students will be able to analyze and geoprocess vector and raster data to extract spatial characteristics to solve problems. This will be assessed through quizzes, homework labs, and a final project.
Students will be able to develop repeatable sequences or models to complete a series of geoprocessing events. This will be assessed through quizzes, homework labs, and a final project.
Students will be able to georeference imagery and digitize features into an appropriate data format. This will be assessed through quizzes, homework labs, and a final project.
Content:
Students will learn the basic concepts, terminology and skills involved in geographic data, spatial analysis, geospatial technologies, and cartography. This includes the following topics: Datums, Projections, and Coordinate SystemsVector data modelsRaster data modelsTopologyVector and Raster analysisDevelopment of GIS models and sequencesGeoreferencing and DigitizingData sources and acquisitionGeocoding. Drawing features using feature construction toolsEditing featuresUsing GPS for GIS inputMaking maps for presentations, with or without templates.Creating and editing data including the creation of geodatabasesGeographic Information Systems provide the tools to address issues in the geospatial distribution of resources, people, and ideas.
Key Performance Indicators:
Students will be assessed often through exercise reports, minor projects, and lab reports/data products. They will be assigned on a regular basis to allow students to practice the skills and concepts they will learn in the textbook exercises. Also three major projects will be assigned as midterm and final exams. All major projects, minor projects and exercise reports will be assessed and graded.
Homework Assignments 10 to 20%
Quizzes 5 to 20%
Major Projects (including final project) 30 to 60%
Lab Reports/Data Products 20 to 30%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Chang, Kang-Tsung. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. Current EditionORBolstad, Paul. GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems. Eider Press.
Pedagogy Statement:
Course material will be delivered by weekly assignments and projects in lecture as well as guided lab projects that allow students to practice techniques and analysis learned in the weekly assignments. This course is delivered through recorded video lecture, text, interactive problems and tutorials, and hands on projects as well as guided, supervised lab time. The instructor will strive to deliver the course in a way that allows each student the opportunity to receive help, feedback, and instruction in a personalized manner--seeking to meet the needs of each student and allow each to understand the principles taught and practiced.Geographic Information Systems lend itself to the treatment of topics that intersect diversity and inclusion, by utilizing data to drive discussions and critical thinking of real-world problems that surround our population demographics. Examples that highlight and generate discussion are used to illustrate analysis and data principles in this course.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab
Online
Hybrid
Maximum Class Size: 24
Optimum Class Size: 12
