GIS Certificate Course Descriptions and Outlines

GISC–225: Geographic Information Systems 1

Course description:

This course will explore fundamental principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its applications including hardware and software. Topic will include: database concepts and algorithms to manage spatial data, cost and benefits analysis, GIS project management and digital data dissemination methods using internet technologies. Students will work with both raster and vector GIS software packages.

Objective:

1. Students will learn GIS terminology, capabilities, and applications.
2. Become familiar with important concepts relating to geographic information systems such as:
1. Database concepts and algorithms
2. Spatial data analysis techniques and algorithms
3. Raster and vector data processing.
3. Students will develop
1. An awareness of typical applications of geographic information systems.
2. A basic working knowledge of the ArcGIS 9 software.
3. An ability to work confidently and successfully through the steps involved in a simple GIS project and to evaluated benefits and cost of this project.

Course Outline and time allocation:

GISC–282: Geographic Information Systems 2

Course description:

Continuation of GISC 225. This course covers spatial data collection techniques and land information systems. Spatial data collection techniques such as land surveying, Global Positioning System, photogrammetric mapping, remote sensing, Lidar, and mobile mapping will be studied. Geodetic and Cartographic data from Federal Government will be explored as well as mapping procedures and accuracy standards. Principles of the cadastre system will be taught including the public land survey system, property descriptions, and boundary surveys.

Objectives:
Upon completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a command of the principles of spatial data collection and mapping. Assessment: Given various datasets, students will compile the existing data, collect new data and create a map.
2. Design and implement a data collection project for a specific Geographical Information System application. Assessment:  Presented with a problem, students will be able to identify the best data collection technique and explain the procedures they should employ to carry out the task.
3. Understand the use of GIS in cadastral applications. Assessment: students will be able to describe different methods for property description and boundary survey, and explain the role of GIS in the Cadastre.

Course Outline and time allocation:

Spatial data collection methods

• (6) Land Surveying: distance measurements, angle measurements, computing coordinates using distances and angles, and the topographic mapping process
• (4) The Global Position System: System components, GPS surveying methods, and data acquisition, and GPS Errors.
• (6) Photogrammetry: Difference between maps and photographs, flying height and scale of photographs, distortions in photography, stereoscopic viewing, stereoscopic plotters (analog and digital), and softcopy photogrammetry
• (2) Orthophotography: Advantages and disadvantages of digital orthophotographs, standards and applications
• (4) Concepts of Remote Sensing: Principles of the electromagnetic spectrum, spatial and spectral resolution, satellite systems.
• (2) LIDAR principles and applications: Principles of Laser scanning technology, advantages and disadvantages of Lidar, Lidar Products
• (2) Mobile Mapping Systems: Basic sensors and technology, direct sensor orientation, benefits of mobile mapping systems
• (1) Attribute data collection using surveys and census information
• (2) Using existing maps as data sources (map digitizing)
• (3) Data from Geodetic and Cartographic data from Federal Government such as: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Bureau of the Census, U. S. Geological Survey, and state and local agencies, commercial organizations.

(4) Mapping Specifications and accuracy standards

GIS and Cadastre:

• (4) The Public Land Survey System, Subdivision of land into townships, sections,
• (4) Property descriptions (metes and bounds, block and lot system, PLSS), Registration of title, Boundary Surveys, introduction
• Parcel based land information system

GISC-382: GIS data analysis and specialization

Course description:

Continuation of GISC 282. Key topics include the point process and network analysis, and advanced surface operations (interpolation, line of sight, volume calculation, drainage, contour line mapping, and 3D visualization). Students will perform an independent research on one GIS specialty application (e.g., homeland security and criminal justice, transportation, health care, natural resources, environment and nature protection, city and county management, utilities, and public administration).

Objectives:

Upon completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a command of the principles of spatial data analysis. Assessment: Given various datasets, students will be able to identify patterns using GIS techniques.
2. Interpolated spatial data using Geographical Information System. Assessment:  presented with a dataset, students will be able to predict the value of an unsampled attribute using measurements made in the vicinity of the point.
3. Specialize in a particular GIS application. Assessment:  students will conduct research on the specialization topic and write a report on the applications of GIS in this specialization topic.

 Course Outline and time allocation:

Surfaces and raster data analysis including

• (3) Spatial data structures (Delaunay triangulation properties and algorithm, Voronoi diagram properties and algorithm).
• (4) Spatial data interpolation (Local and global interpolation strategies, statistical approach, inverse distance interpolation, and linear interpolation (TIN))
• (4) Digital surfaces visualization techniques (Contour line maps, 3D Scenes)
• (4) Image processing (filtering, contrast enhancement).
• (4) Decision support GIS.
• (3) Spatial point pattern analysis (central tendency, nearest neighbor analysis, quadrant analysis).
• (3) Network analysis (minimum spanning tree and shortest path algorithm).
• (20) Independent study of the application of GIS in specific field of study. This study will be described in a final report which introduces the application, reviews previous work of using GIS in this field, and describes a specific case study including methodology, experiments, and conclusions.