GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
Details
GIS (Geographical Information Systems) is everywhere. From your smartphone to your tablet, location enabled devices are present in almost every household. With over 80% of all data having some type of spatial (or geographical) component, GIS and the principles of geographic data have relevancy everywhere. This course will introduce students to GIS and the principles of spatial data in their personal life as well as applications of GIS across various industries. Major components of the course include computer representation of geographic information, the basics of GIS databases, spatial analysis with GIS, and application areas of GIS. At the end of the course, students will have an understanding of elementary GIS theory and examples of GIS-based solutions in the world around them.
Topics include:
Week 1: Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Week 2: Layers, Scales of Measurement, Map Design
Week 3: Inside A GIS
Week 4: Earth Measurements, Coordinate Systems and Projections
Week 5: GIS Editing, Geoprocessing, and Programming
Week 6: GIS Data and Analysis in GIS
Intended Audience: Professionals and students exploring a potential career with GIS
Time to complete the course: 2-3 hours per week
Certificate or digital badge for completing the course: Badges. Learners also have the opportunity to Earn 3.0 UWF Continuing Education Units.
Format: Instructor-led
Asynchronous (independent) activities: Yes
Synchronous (class) activities: None
Instructor feedback: None
Peer feedback: Yes, through discussions
Group work: None
Prerequisites: None
Recommended Materials: None
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Recall the main components of a GIS
- Identify applications of GIS
- Define key GIS terms
- Recognize basic Earth measurement concepts and common geographic coordinate systems when given examples
- Identify basic map design elements
- Recall the uses of programming and customization in GIS
- Identify common applications of path and overlay analysis
Students completing the optional lab component will also:
- Use common ArcGIS software tools
- Use ArcGIS Help to answer common GIS questions
- Complete simple data processing tasks
- Create, edit, and transform spatial data
- Conduct basic spatial analysis in ArcGIS software
- Create a map incorporating basic cartographic design rules
- Gain hands-on experience using GIS to solve real world problems
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