Discipline: Computer Information Systems (Geographic Information Systems) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Geographic Information Systems 13


COURSE DESCRIPTION
13 GIS for Science, Business, Government Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): GIS 9: Spatial Analysis with GIS
This course includes an in depth survey of GIS applications in science (geography, geology, oceanography, archeology, and meteorology), government (city, county, state, and federal), and business (marketing, sales, and management). Topics include data acquisition, accuracy, analysis, presentation, techniques and legal issues for various GIS applications. Students will work on individual projects in specialized areas using GIS. Projects will include necessary hardware and software requirements, methods of data acquisition, formulations of data standards, methods of base map development, cost benefits analysis and generation of presentation quality map layouts specific to the student’s chosen GIS application. Students will evaluate GIS as an effective tool in the decision making process for their specific GIS application. 36 hours lecture 54 hours laboratory.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
An in depth survey of GIS applications used in science, government, and business. Topics include data acquisition, accuracy, analysis, presentation techniques, and legal issues for various GIS applications.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
  1. Compare and contrast conventional statistical analysis to spatial analysis.

  2. Distinguish and use basic sampling methods used in GIS.

  3. Formulate and interpret geographically referenced data.

  4. Define problems associated with acquisition and accuracy of data used in spatial analysis.

  5. Recognize the problems associated with statistical analysis and quantification f spatial features.

  6. Compare and contrast ways data should be collected for a particular GIS analysis.

  7. Analyze and manipulate geographically referenced data.

  8. Understand the use of spatial analysis in the decision- making process.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Understand how various disciplines use GIS technology.

Distinguish which data structure is best suited to specific applications and explain why.

Recognize and define what software and hardware is necessary for different GIS applications.

Define methods and problems associated with acquisition and accuracy of data used in specific GIS applications.

Determine what methods of spatial analysis are best suited to specific GIS applications.

Determine how different types of GIS applications are managed in science, business, and government.

Define what costs and benefits can be expected from the use of GIS for a specific application.

Produce professional quality map layouts suitable for specific GIS application.

Evaluate GIS as an effective tool in decision making processes in a specific GIS application.

Explain how a GIS application should be implemented.

Construct a sample GIS application.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Overview of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    1. What is GIS?
    2. Database concepts
    3. Data structures
    4. Hardware and software
    5. Spatial analysis
  2. Historical Methods used prior to introduction of GIS
    1. Method of data acquisition
    2. Data storage
    3. Data accuracy
    4. Data manipulation
    5. Presentation of analysis or output of application
  3. Implementation of GIS
    1. Concept
      1. Needs assignment
      2. Resource assessment
      3. Feasibility study
    2. Design
    3. Development
      1. Pilot project
      2. Goals
    4. Personnel requirement
    5. Operation
    6. Control
    7. Cost benefit analysis
  4. Legal issues
    1. The value of information
    2. Government role in information dissemination
      1. Open-records law and GIS access
      2. Federal Information and dissemination
      3. State and Local information dissemination
    3. Privacy Issues
      1. Data collection methods
      2. Data dissemination
    4. Ownership of Information
      1. Fees
      2.  Value added
    5. Government regulations
  5. In depth survey of GIS use (method of data acquisition, data storage, data accuracy, data manipulation, and presentation of analysis or output.
    1. Scientific Research
      1. Geology
      2. Geography
      3. Oceanography
      4. Archaeology
      5. Meteorology
    2. Government Agencies and Departments
      1.  Local
        1. City
        2. County
      2. State
      3.  Federal
        1. Census
        2. Military
    3. Business
      1. Real Estate
      2. Transportation
      3. Finance
      4. Insurance
      5. Construction
      6. Agriculture
      7. Resource Management
    4. Industry
      1. Aerospace
      2. Retail
      3. Communications
      4. Public Utilities
      5. Cellular
    5. Hardware and Software requirements for different applications
      1. Platform requirements
        1. Mainframe, minicomputer, workstations, desktop
      2.  Software requirements
      3.  Peripheralsf.
    6. Data Management for different applications
      1. Access
      2. Input and Output
      3. Metadata
      4. Accuracy and Quality Control
      5. Updating
      6. Initial Base Map Development
    7. Presentation of GIS data for different applications
      1. Computer screen
      2. Paper
      3. Other Methods
    8.  Uses of GIS Output
      1. Cost versus benefit analysis
      2. Routing
      3. Modeling
      4. Record Preservation
      5. Spatial Analysis  
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Present class lectures/discussions in order to assist students in achieving the learning outcomes by reviewing relevant course content.
  • Perform assigned lab activities in order to expose the student to situations/problems which reinforce lecture presentation material.
  • Show videos/films/slides/handouts in order to give the student a better feeling of exposure to activities within industry and related fields.
  • Field trips to selected sites in order to give the students an experience the applications of the course concepts of design as applied in the professions and industries using GIS technologies.
  • Develop and assign problem solving tasks and activities in order to assist the student in achieving learning objectives and by offering for students opportunities to develop a variety of solution methods to specific problems, while providing individualized learning opportunities.
  • Off site meetings at selected locations in order to provide students the experience of seeing GIS course content in use.
  • Create and assign pair and small group activities such as preparing an analysis of a given composition using the relevant course content. A competition format may be used in this process. This is done in order to help students achieve outcomes by stimulating individual participation in group activities.
  • Invite or visit guest lecturers in order to bring current industry experience directly into the classroom and help students attain objectives through direct interface with active professionals.
  • Develop and assign web-based/web-enhanced tasks and activities in order to assist the student in achieving learning objectives by offering opportunities to interact with other students online, while also providing individualized learning opportunities.

 
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Individual and small group projects are evaluated based on the standards that would be applicable to success in the field or professions employing these skills.  Project Content, Student Accuracy and Procedures of producing the final product is evaluated within the context of the assigned problem and time allotted.
  • Oral reports and visual presentations designed to demonstrate student achievement of course learning objectives.
  • Laboratory projects are designed to evaluate their ability to properly apply the GIS concepts and use the related software and present their understanding of the concept learned in class.
  • Final notebook evaluation is designed to demonstrate student’s overall achievement of course learning objectives and to have students organize and demonstrate their understanding of the course learning outcomes.  This is an organized notebook and oral presentation by the student.

 
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Arctur, David K., Zeiler, Michael. Designing Geodatabases: Case Studies in GIS Data Modeling. 1 ed. Redlands: ESRI Press, 2004.
  • J. Antenucci, K. Brown, P. Corswell and M. Kevany. Geographic Information Systems, a Guide to the Technology. 1 ed. any: Chapmen and Hall , 1999.
  • 3. Breslin, Frunzi, Napolean and Tim Ormsby. Getting to Know ArcView GIS. 1 ed. Redlands: ESRI Press , 1998.
  • Laboratory Supplementary Material. The instructor will prepare customized laboratory projects and data sets.

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