ITEC 250 (GEOG 250)
Introduction to GIS
- Catalog Entry
ITEC 250 (GEOG 250): Introduction to GIS
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Internet usage
Course is designed to introduce non-technical students in geography as well as students from other disciplines working with the general concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Course will involve the use of Internet-available technologies and leading GIS software to practice and work with GIS technologies.
- Detailed Description of Content of Course
General Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- Definition of GIS in current and historical context
- Overview of professional/disciplines currently utilizing GIS technologies
- Major GIS application areas
- environmental applications
- business “geographies”
- municipal applications
- The principal components of current GIS technologies
- A comparison of different approaches in the utilization of GIS technologies
- User Need Requirements and GIS Technologies Consideration
- User needs "drive" GIS products
- GIS system requirements
- hardware/software environments
- GIS data requirements (general: graphic and non-graphic)
- Output generation
- GIS Data Elements
- Graphic data (map features)
- maps and projections (fundamental issues)
- sources of existing digital map data
- conversion of paper maps to digital format—processes
-digitizing (tablet, on screen, automatic)
- Non-graphic data (attributes, tabular)
- digital databases
- keyboard entry of data
- Geocoding of data
- Database management systems for GIS data (an overview)
- flat files
- geocoded Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)
- GIS Data Manipulation and Analysis
- Geographic extraction of selected data
- GIS query functions
- buffering
- search radius
- distance measurements
- Product Generation
- Maps
- Tables of selected features/data
- Practical Applications ("hands-on" learning experiences)
- Utilization of "free" GIS from the Internet
- Utilization of Internet searches for databases
- Utilization of downloaded technology for exercises
- GIS User Need Analysis
- Development of GIS needs
- Analysis of user needs
- Development of strategies to meet GIS needs
- Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Instructional strategies will include the following:
- Lectures on the theoretical aspects (traditional lectures, supported by computer graphics presentations and demonstrations where appropriate. Lectures will be available to students in class in outline form; full lectures will be made available through internet.
- Demonstrations will include the –in-class demonstrations of a working PC-based GIS, as well as demonstrations on accessing digital databases on the Internet.
- Computer-assisted instruction will involve students using a GIS and digital databases. Students will work as individuals as well as members of small groups (three to five students).
- Guest lectures by GIS professionals utilizing this technology will provide students with examples of "real world" applications. This will also provide them with opportunities to develop discussions on the topic.
- Group discussions will be fostered to facilitate in-depth learning/teaching of individual topics of interest to students in this course.
- Goals and Objectives of the Course
Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to demonstrate fundamental knowledge and/or practical skills in the realm of Geographic Information Systems. This will include knowledge of the theoretical foundation of GISs, GIS applications areas, GIS user need requirements, GIS data considerations (including graphic and non-graphic data requirements), GIS manipulations and data analysis, and product generation from GISs. The student will gain practical experiences in the use of GIS technologies as well as in the use of Internet resources as related to GIS technologies. An underlying objective is to provide the student with the opportunity to gain an appreciation of the truly multidisciplinary usage of GIS technologies. GIS is a technology utilized not only by geographers, but also by scientists in other disciplines, researchers in numerous fields, and particularly by professionals in various business applications.
- Assessment Measures
Student’s knowledge on the theoretical aspects presented in lectures and reading assignments will be tested in two written examinations. Students’ work and participation in group projects will be assessed on the basis of peer evaluations and the completion of each group’s written report. Practical applications will be assessed on the degree of completion of each assigned applied project.
- Other Course Information
Bibliography of Readings Relevant to the Course:
- Nicholas Chrisman, Exploring Geographic Information Systems, Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, 1997.
Professional Journals/Magazines:
- Geo Info Systems, Eugene, OR (monthly)
- GIS World, Fort Collins, CO (monthly)
- Business Geographics, Fort Collins, CO (monthly)
Special Teaching Aids:
Computer projection systems will be utilized in conjunction with class presentations and in-class demonstrations of GIS utilization, accessing simple programs via the Internet, and downloading of data for GIS. Students will have to search Internet resources for information for group discussions.
- APPROVAL AND SUBSEQUENT REVIEWS
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
September 2001 Proposed and Approved Bernd H. Kuennecke