Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Overview
- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- How GIS is Affecting Our Lives
- What is a GIS?
- Introduction to ArcGIS software
- GIS and Cartography
- Map and Attribute Information
- Map Scale and Projections
- Coordinate Systems
- Geographic Information
- Characteristics Of Spatial Data
- Vector Data and Raster Data
- Remotely Sensed Imagery
- Geodata Accuracy and Precision
- Error and Uncertainty in GIS
- Acquiring Spatial Data in situ
- Global Positioning Systems
- Land Surveying
- Census and Sampling
- Satellite Characteristics
- Electromagnetic Radiation
- Active vs. Passive Sensors
- Spatial, Temporal and Spectral Resolution
- Finding Existing Map Data
- Digitizing and Scanning
- Data Conversion
- Database Structure
- Spatial Databases
- Searching by Attribute
- Searching by Geography
- Basic Queries
- Describing Attributes
- Statistical Analysis
- Spatial Description
- Spatial Analysis
- Elements of a Map
- Choosing a Map Type
- Designing the Map
- Reports, graphs and tables
The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:
- Lecture
- Labs
- Multimedia
- Individual and/or Team Projects
- Small Group Discussions
Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
Labs | 25% |
Quizzes | 20% |
Midterm Exam | 25% |
Final Exam | 30% |
Total | 100% |
At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
- Describe the components and uses of an effective GIS.
- Describe the characteristics of spatial data and explain how projection, coordinate and datum systems impact GIS precision and accuracy.
- Use the components of a GIS to input data, create topology, analyze data and produce maps to communicate the results of the analyses.
- Employ critical thinking skills to evaluate data, analytical methods and results.
- Compare and contrast file and database management systems.
- Analyze the issues associated with the implementation, operationalization and management of GIS.
- Explain the issues of data acquisition, data quality and data conversion/integration.
Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:
- Heywood, I., Cornelius, S. and Carver, S. (2011). An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, 4th edition. Pearson/Prentice Hall.
- Law, M. and Collins, A. (2013) Getting to Know ArcGIS for Desktop. Esri Press.
- Chang, K. (2014). Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, 7th edition. McGraw-Hill.
- Jensen, J.R. and Jensen R.R. (2013) Introductory Geographic Information Systems. Pearson.
Requisites
Prerequisites
One 1100-Level Geography Course or EAES (GEOL) 1120 or permission of the instructor
Corequisites
No corequisite courses.
Equivalencies
No equivalent courses.
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers
These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca
Institution | Transfer Details for GEOG 2270 |
---|---|
Camosun College (CAMO) | CAMO ENVR 140 (3) |
Langara College (LANG) | LANG GEOG 2XXX (3) |
Simon Fraser University (SFU) | SFU GEOG 255 (3) |
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU GEOG 2750 (3) |
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) | UBCO GEOG 2nd (3) |
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | UBCV GEOS 270 (3) |
University of Northern BC (UNBC) | UNBC GEOG 300 (3) |
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) | UFV GEOG 253 (4) |
University of Victoria (UVIC) | UVIC GEOG 222 (1.5) |