GEOS 250
Introduction to GIS (T)
1. Catalog Entry
GEOS 250
Introduction to GIS (T)
Cross-Listed: ITEC 250
Credit hours (4)
-Inverted Course Offering: Three hours lecture (online) and two hours of lab
-Online Course Offering: Three hours lecture (asynchronous online) and two hours of
lab (asynchronous online) ***Instructor will be available at scheduled times for lab
help.
Course is designed to introduce students to the general concepts of Geographic Information
Systems (GIS), and how to use GIS across a wide variety of disciplines.
Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.
2. Detailed Description of Course
Students with learn fundamental mapping and geospatial analysis skills for a wide
variety of disciplines and topics. These fundamentals include geospatial data, components
of a GIS, queries, overlays, basic spatial analysis, and data creation. The format
of the class balances lectures on the core principles of Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) with learning modules and labs on managing, processing, and interpreting geospatial
data.
Students will learn:
1) History and background of GIS and Geospatial Technologies
2) Software and trends in GIS with a focus on ArcGIS, but including others
3) Data discovery (i.e. where to find data)
4) The properties of spatial data
5) The integration of spatial and non-spatial data (geospatial data)
6) Attribute and spatial queries
7) Overlay techniques
8) How to create, edit and manipulate geospatial data
9) How to research and answer questions using GIS and spatial analysis tools
10) How to apply GIS to a broad range of scientific applications
11) Product generation (hard copy maps and web maps)
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Instructional strategies will include the following:
1) Lectures on the fundamental aspects of the GIS. Lectures will be available
online.
2) Lesson and learning modules that reinforce the essential aspects of GIS from
the lectures and introduce various skills needed to use a GIS and present
results.
3) Laboratory exercises for students: each week students will complete one or
more instructor-guided lab assignments, focusing on specific aspects of
geospatial data discovery, GIS data analysis, manipulation and presentation.
4. 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 GIS, 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 GIS. 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.
5. Assessment Measures
Student’s knowledge on the theoretical aspects presented in lectures and reading assignments
will be tested in two midterms and one final exam. Students’ applied work will be
assessed based on the correct completion of the learning modules and lab assignments,
and where applicable, on the quality of the output in form of maps, tables, and graphs.
6. Other Course Information
None.
Review and Approval
April 21, 2014 Rick Roth, Chair
February 12, 2010 Bernd H. Kuennecke, Chair
September 28, 2001 Bernd H. Kuennecke, Chair
March 01, 2021