Course

Geographic Information Systems

Faculty
Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
Geography and the Environment
Course code
GEOG 3370
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
25
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a set of powerful computerized tools designed to store, retrieve, analyze, and display geographically referenced information. GIS are used to explore complex geographic relationships and discover patterns that were previously undetectable through conventional methods. GIS analysis has become important in many industries and provides students with employable skills in several fields of study. This hands-on course examines the components and functions of GIS, the characteristics of spatial data, and spatial analysis and display. Students will be guided through GIS theory which will be reinforced with hands-on lab exercises and a term project. Class projects will be adapted to allow for skills application and critical reflection appropriate to the student’s area of study.
Course content
  1. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
    • What is a GIS?
    • How GIS is Affecting Our Lives
    • Introduction to ArcGIS software
  2. GIS and Cartography
    • Types of Maps
    • Coordinate Systems and Datums
    • Geographic Coordinate Systems
    • Projected Coordinate Systems
    • Cartographic Process
  3. Characteristics Of Spatial Data
    • Geospatial Data
    • Vector Data and Raster Data Models
    • Geodata Accuracy and Precision
    • Error and Uncertainty in GIS
  4. Acquiring Spatial Data in situ
    • Global Positioning Systems
    • Land Surveying
    • Census and Sampling
  5. Introduction to Remote Sensing
    • Satellite Characteristics
    • Electromagnetic Radiation
    • Active vs. Passive Sensors
    • Spatial, Temporal and Spectral Resolution
  6. Database Management
    • Database Models and Structure
    • Spatial Databases
    • Basic Queries
    • Database Relationships
  7. Spatial Analysis 
    • Basic Analysis (Buffering, Overlays, Interpolation)
    • Surface Analysis
    • Network Analysis
    • Statistical Analysis
  8. GIS Output
    • Map Design Principles
    • Map Elements
    • Reports, Graphs, and Tables
    • Web Maps

 

Learning activities

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

 

Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in the course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.

An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:

Labs 20%
Quizzes 10%
Term Project 20%
Midterm Exam   25%
Final Exam 25%
Total 100%
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the components and uses of an effective GIS;
  2. Explain the characteristics of spatial data and how projection, coordinate, and datum systems impact GIS precision and accuracy;
  3. Apply the components of a GIS to input data, create topology, analyze data, and produce maps to communicate the results of the analyses;
  4. Employ critical thinking skills to evaluate data, analytical methods, and results;
  5. Compare and contrast file and database management systems;
  6. Analyze the issues associated with the implementation, operationalization, and management of GIS;
  7. Explain the issues of data acquisition, data quality, and data conversion/integration.
Textbook materials

Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:

  • Bolstad, P. (2022). GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems, Seventh Edition. XanEdu.
  • Chang, K. (2014). Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, 7th edition. McGraw-Hill.
  • Gorr, W. & Kurland, K. (2025). GIS Tutorial for ArcGIS Pro 3.4, Fifth Edition. ESRI Press.
  • Heywood, I., Cornelius, S. and Carver, S. (2011). An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, 4th edition. Pearson/Prentice Hall.
  • Jensen, J.R. and Jensen R.R. (2013). Introductory Geographic Information Systems. Pearson.
  • Law, M. and Collins, A. (2024). Getting to Know ArcGIS Pro 3.2, Fifth Edition. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press.
  • Longley, P., Goodchild, M.F., Maguire, D.J., and Rhind, D.W. (2015). Geographic Information Science and Systems, Fourth Edition. Wiley.

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

One 1st level GEOG course or EAES 1120 or permission from instructor” OR “3 credits in any first level GEOG course or EAES 1120 or permission from instructor

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

GEOG 2270

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.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for GEOG 3370
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

There are no course offerings this semester.