ENV 2310 - INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHICINFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

credits: 3.0
This course presents an introduction to the concepts underlying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and emphasizes the analytical capabilities of GIS in both raster and vector domains. Lectures provide background information on the roots of GIS in analytical cartography, while the laboratory sessions apply geographic information to answer questions and solve problems in many fields, including ecology, environmental science, wildlife management, agriculture, geology, urban planning, and other specialties. Hands-on experience with ArcGIS teaches the operation of functional GIS skills. Google Earth and open-source GIS tools, in addition to the basics of remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) will be presented. Objectives: A) Define Geographic Information Systems (GIS); B) Compare, contrast, and identify vector and raster GIS; C) List and evaluate the capabilities of various GIS programs; D) Apply cartographic principles of scale, resolution, projection, and data management to a problem of geographic nature; E) Apply spatial analysis functions on a GIS to a geospatial problem; F) Describe the differences between various coordinate systems and projections; G) Conduct spatial statistics on data layers. Method of Instruction: A combination of lectures, in-class demonstrations using ArcGIS, and laboratory sessions where students work on assignments using ArcGIS will be used in this course. Will be scheduled for a 3 hour-10 minute block once a week. The first hour would be used for lecturing and in-class demonstrations, while the remaining time would be devoted to students using ArcGIS to work on assignments in the laboratory session. Method of Evaluation: Exams (theory) 200pts; Lab practical 200pts; Final 100pts; Individual project 200pts; Lab assignments 300pts. LAB FEE: $125.00.