GIS111: Introduction to
Geographic Information Systems

Dr. Abu Badruddin
Office: M274 Main Building
Email: badruddin@cayuga-cc.edu
Live: (315) 255-1743
Fax : (315) 255-2117

[SCHEDULE] [ANNOUNCEMENT]

TEXT:

Getting to Know ArcGIS, 2nd Edition, ESRI Press (required)

References:
  1. GIS Fundamentals
    Paul Bolstad, Eider Press
  2. Geographic Information Systems and Science
    Longley, Goodchild, Maguire, and Rhind, John Wiley & Sons
  3. Principles of Geographical Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment
    P.A. Burrough and Rachael McDonnell, 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press

Course Purpose:

This is an introductory level GIS course designed to introduce students to the basic theories and concepts of GISs and their application in exploring and analyzing geographic data. This course is divided into lectures and lab sessions. The conceptual elements are explained and discussed in the lecture sessions while the labs are designed to provide hands-on training to reinforce the concepts and lessons learned in the lectures.

Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of the course, students will:

  1. be aware of the basic structures and functionality of GISs.
  2. understand, at an introductory level, the nature, characteristics, specification, types, acquisition, processing, organization, and management of spatial or geographic data.
  3. be able use a desktop GIS package (ArcGIS) for typical spatial analysis.
Laboratory Exercise:

Each lab assignment will be considered as an exercise and is due following week. Late submission will not be accepted! Please see me if you have an emergency. Laboratory exercises will contribute substantially to your course grade. Students may be asked to repeat work that is not satisfactory.

GRADING:

*** The above grading is subject to change at the instructor's discretion ***

Requirements:

GIS:111 Introduction to GIS
Lecture Topics Outline
WEEK/DATE TOPIC
Week 1 Introduction, What is GIS? What a GIS is not. Spatial and attribute data, Data vs. Information.
LAB: Data source and file management in GIS Lab
Week 2 Coordinate and reference systems
LAB: Introduction to ArcGIS & Map reading
Week 3

Maps and its characteristics: Concept of scale, accuracy, and standards
LAB: Working with scale

Week 4 Map composition and design
LAB: Designing your company LOGO
Week 5 Introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS)
Lab: GPS data collection and downloading
Week 6 Working with spatial and attribute data
Lab: Querying and managing tabular data
Week 7

Midterm Exam
Lab: Querying and managing tabular data (cont.)
Week 8 An overview of data types and sources
Lab: Exploring and downloading online GIS data
Week 9

Map classification and symbolization
Lab: Querying and managing spatial and attribute data

Week 10

Spatial data models (raster and vector), advantages, limitations, and examples
Lab: Working with coverages, images, CAD drawings, etc.

Week 11

Data Automation: creating and editing spatial data
Lab: Heads-up digitizing from DOQ
Week 12

Data Automation: creating and editing spatial data (cont.)
Lab: Editing spatial data and adding attributes

Week 13 Thanksgiving
Lab: Joining and linking attribute data
Week 14

Spatial modeling with map overlay
Lab: GeoProcessing

Week 15

Advanced topic and review
Lab: Practice Exam

Week 16 FINAL!

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