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Course Syllabus

GEO 2800 Intermediate Geographic Information Systems

  • Division: Natural Science and Math
  • Department: Geology
  • 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.
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2023
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
  • End Semester: Fall 2028
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 24

Course 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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Students will be able to research, acquire, edit, and create spatial data.
  3. Students will be able to analyze and geoprocess vector and raster data to extract spatial characteristics to solve problems.
  4. Students will be able to develop repeatable sequences or models to complete a series of geoprocessing events.
  5. Students will be able to georeference imagery and digitize features into an appropriate data format.

Course 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.