GIS 1001
INTRODUCTION TO GIS

By the end of the semester you will be able to:

• Understand the basic principles of cartography
1. Name, identify, and describe the principle components of a map.
2. Describe the concept of map projection, identify and evaluate the types of most commonly used projections.
3. Describe the use of map scales, determine the scale of a map and analyze and evaluate the effect of scale on the detail of a map, and use the map scale to determine the size of map features.
4. Describe the concept of a thematic map, explain the importance of thematic maps to a GIS.
5. Describe the concept of coordinate systems, identify the most commonly used types of map coordinate systems and use them to describe the locations of features.
• Understand the characteristics of computerized spatial data.
1. Describe the use and importance of metadata, use metadata to analyze and evalute GIS data.
2. Describe, analyze, and evaluate the use of vector-type spatial data.
3. Describe, analyze, and evaluate the use of raster-type spatial data.
4. Describe, analyze, and evaluate the primary methods of digitizing spatial data.
5. Describe, analyze, and evaluate the use of global positioning systems to create spatial databases.
• Understand the construction of databases.
1. Describe the basic structure of a database table.
2. Describe the basic functions of database management systems and use those functions to analyze, process, and modify databases.
3. Describe the methods used to search databases and use those methods to identify desired records.
• Understand the use of geographic information systems (GIS).
1. Access data files from common sources including disk drives, hard drives, networks and the internet; analyze and evaluate the data for compatibility and utility.
2. Import and display data within GIS, modify data as appropriate for display, including changing projections and scales.
3. Create new data by modifying imported data, digitizing maps, and downloading global positioning system files.
4. Access displayed and table data and validate and edit data.
5. Develop queries to analyze and evaluate data.
6. Critically evaluate datasets and infer valid conclusions from those datasets.
• Develop clear and concise graphic presentations of data.
1. Describe the basic features necessary to clearly display spatial data (including scale, orientation, and legend) and use those features in presentations of data.
2. Describe several types of map and the evaluate data to determine the appropriate type of map for clear display.
3. Describe the use of data ranges, pattern and color in map design and evaluate data to determine the appropriate design for clear display.