GIS-241 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

An introductory level geospatial technology course designed to introduce students to the concepts and theories of geographic information systems (GIS) and the practice of geospatial analysis. This course consists of a lecture component and a laboratory component. Students will learn to apply GIS concepts through hands-on exercises designed to explore and analyze spatial data. Students will use leading geospatial software and Global Positioning System (GPS) units used by numerous professions including natural resources conservation and sustainability, business management, criminal justice, and community planning.

Credits

3

Lecture Contact Hours

2

Lab Contact Hours

2

Other Contact Hours

0

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

• Fall
• Spring

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Describe fundamental GIS concepts, techniques and real-world applications.
2. Demonstrate basic skills necessary to utilize a Desktop GIS Package and a GPS unit.
3. Demonstrate basic cartographic skills to clearly communicate quantitative spatial relationships.
4. Independently apply skills (i.e. data acquisition and creation, file management, data importation, alignment, geospatial analysis, and use of cartographic principles) to a student-selected project site.

View Course Outline

GIS 241: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Course Description

An introductory level geospatial technology course designed to introduce students to the concepts and theories of geographic information systems (GIS) and the practice of geospatial analysis. This course consists of a lecture component and a laboratory component. Students will learn to apply GIS concepts through hands-on exercises designed to explore and analyze spatial data. Students will use leading geospatial software and Global Positioning System (GPS) units used by numerous professions including natural resources conservation and sustainability, business management, criminal justice, and community planning.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	2
Lab	2
Other	0

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Fall, Spring

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Describe fundamental GIS concepts, techniques and real-world applications.
2. Demonstrate basic skills necessary to utilize a Desktop GIS Package and a GPS unit.
3. Demonstrate basic cartographic skills to clearly communicate quantitative spatial relationships.
4. Independently apply skills (i.e. data acquisition and creation, file management, data importation, alignment, geospatial analysis, and use of cartographic principles) to a student-selected project site.

Topic Outline

1. Introduction to ESRI ArcGIS software package.
2. Identify data source, file types, and file management.
3. Create cartographically appropriate maps
4. Explore and download online Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data.
5. Collect data using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit.
6. Post-process field collected GPS data.
7. Import GPS data into a GIS environment.
8. Gain a conceptual understanding of coordinate systems, and apply this understanding to manipulate map projections.
9. Query and manage spatial and attribute data.
10. Create and edit spatial data.
11. Work with geoprocessing tools (e.g. buffering, clipping, and merging).