GEOS 315
Intermediate GIS Concepts (T)
1. Catalog Entry
GEOS 315
Intermediate GIS Concepts (T)
Credit hours (4)
Three hours lecture/demonstration and two hours asynchronous online laboratory.
Prerequisite: GEOS 250
Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.
2. Detailed Description of Course
Intermediate GIS concepts will be studied related to geoprocessing and analyzing geographic
phenomena. Students will learn to use various extensions and tools for a variety
of GIS routines. Data structures in GIS, data sources for GIS, and data and software
compatibility issues in GIS will be covered.
In this course, students will utilize geoprocessing and spatial data analysis tools
in ArcGIS or other geographic information system platforms to organize, analyze, and
explain geographic phenomena. Analyses will include classifying, quantifying, and
overlaying to determine if data are spatially related and if geographic phenomena
change over time. Spatial patterns will be analyzed visually and with basic spatial
statistics.
The following topics will be discussed:
1) Mapping where things are
2) Mapping the most and least
3) Mapping density
4) Finding what鈥檚 inside
5) Finding what鈥檚 nearby
6) Mapping change
7) Measuring geographic distribution
8) Analyzing patterns
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course will utilize a mixture of lectures/laboratory exercises with practical applications
in the computer laboratory. There will be a mid-term and a final examination, asynchronous
online laboratory assignments, weekly homework assignments and final projects by students.
Reading assignments will focus on the conceptual, theoretical, and practical applications
of GIS analysis.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students will learn how to identify geographic patterns and relationships and apply
spatial measurements and statistics. They will learn and experiment with various
types of data used in GIS, pre-packaged commercial data, derived data (with the use
of common GIS queries, the use of extensions, customized data, etc.). Students will
primarily use ArcGIS for the course. Students will have to develop the conceptual
theoretical design of a GIS project of interest to each individual student, before
they translate this into applications involving research and acquisition of the necessary
data sets, performing the appropriate GIS routines, and develop the desired results
of their GIS project.
5. Assessment Measures
Examinations (2), online asynchronous laboratory assignments (practical), homework
assignments, development of a final project involving theoretical development of a
GIS project and practical execution of the stated project to a final product consisting
of written GIS project objectives and goals, the development of the associated maps,
and the development of the associated reports to accompany the graphics. Expected
is a cartographic product accompanied by a report. This GIS project will be presented
orally to their peers in the class.
6. Other Course Information
Students will utilize standard learning textbooks available from the ESRI Press.
Review and Approval
April 2014 Rick Roth, Chair
February 2010 Bernd H. Kuennecke, Chair
October 2007 Bernd H. Kuennecke, Chair
March 01, 2021