Course Syllabus
Course: GEO 1700
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Geology
Title: Fundamentals of GPS and GIS Navigation
Semester Approved: Spring 2021
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2025
End Semester: Fall 2026
Catalog Description: This course introduces fundamental navigation skills using handheld GPS units, compasses, and map reading skills. The class will also cover how to transfer and manipulate data onto basic GIS software to create usable maps.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Justification: This course will serve as an introductory course to the GIS certificate at Snow College. Many students take GEO 1800 without having any experience using GPS units or map reading. This course will teach basic navigational concepts so that students can focus on learning how to use the GIS software better in future classes.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Understand basic concepts of map reading, navigation, compasses, and GIS and how they are used for decision making.
This will be assessed by assignments, exams, and a final project.
Collect geo-spatial data. This will be assessed by assignments and a final project.
Work with a GIS map to find features of interest, analyze patterns, and derive useful information.
This will be assessed by assignments and a final project.
Classify, symbolize, and label map features to support data visualization and interpretation.
This will be assessed by assignments, exams, and a final project.
Create and edit geographic data to accurately represent real-world objects. This will be assessed by assignments and a final project.
Perform spatial analysis using queries, geoprocessing tools, and models. This will be assessed by assignments and a final project.
Design high-quality maps and reports to share analysis results with others. This will be assessed by assignments and a final project.
Explore careers in the geo-spatial industry. This will be assessed by assignments.
Create a geo-spatial project. This will be assessed by a final project.
Content:
Course objectives will be accomplished by providing students with exposure to the
following concepts and learning experiences:
-Paper and digital maps and how to read and understand them.
-Compass and GPS skills and using them to navigate with topographic maps
-Collect, record, and manipulate data on a GPS devise and on GIS software.
-Complete a project using local data to create a useful map.
This course addresses diverse issues in multiple ways. The course is designed to accommodate for traditional students in the classroom or online. Other sections are also designed for non-traditional students and allows them to work at their own pace while working full time. It also allows students with all ranges of computer and GIS skills to complete the course. Those with limited to no knowledge can go slow and methodical, using extra practice material and re-watching short lectures on specific topics, or speed through the material and complete the required assignments and tests. In addition, the equipment required for this course costs between $300-$400, which could limit opportunities for low-income students. This equipment is loaned out to all enrolled students free of charge.
Key Performance Indicators:
Assignments 40 to 60%
Exams 20 to 30%
Final Project 20 to 35%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
No textbook is required for this course. Instructor will assign selected readings.
Pedagogy Statement:
This course is delivered through lecture, video recordings, class discussion, hands-on field experiences, projects, assignments, exams, and a final project.
Instructors will promote inclusivity by using a variety of learning exercises and assessment tools. Instructors will learn the names of each student individually. They will provide opportunities for each student to receive personalized help and feedback, using clear rubrics and explaining specific reasons when students are docked points. When talking about careers, instructors will use people from multiple backgrounds as examples in those careers.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
IVC
Online
Maximum Class Size: 30
Optimum Class Size: 20
