I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Introduction to GPS & GIS

2. Course Prefix & Number:
NATR 1280

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 2

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

The objective of this class is to provide students with an introductory understanding of GIS software (ArcGIS 10.0) and GPS technology.  The main emphasis will be on learning practical applications for the software.  Lectures will provide examples of GIS techniques, how the processes work and the applications for which they may be used.  The laboratory will provide hands-on training to learn various GIS processes which will focus on collecting, organizing, managing, analyzing, and presenting spatial data.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Name of Institution	Course Number and Title	Credits
U of M. Crookston	NatR 2630 Geographic Information Systems	3
U of W Steven’s Point	Geog 279	2

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

Name of Institution	Date of Acceptance	Discipline/Area/Program of Transfer
U of M Crookston	2008-2010	Geographic Information Systems
U of W Steven’s Point	2007-2009	Geography

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course fulfills a requirement for the following program(s):

Natural Resources Technology, AAS

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Demonstrate reading and listening skills by completing weekly assignments from the text and information given in class.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Create flow charts showing the progression of GIS skills.
Utilize appropriate technology	Collect data using GPS systems and download information into GIS ArcView to create maps.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Assemble a small GIS database.
• Perform analyses with the data set.
• Construct a portfolio and a five minute presentation showcasing project.
• Describe the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) System.
• Create and locate field coordinates with GPS.
• Create and download track logs with a GPS receiver to create maps.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Examples of GIS projects in the Natural Resources Field
• Using flow charts
• Lab Report generations
• ESRI Training Exercises
2. Introduction to using a GPS and Data Collection
• Basic GPS Functions and Data Collection in the field
• Reading Assignments – Getting to know GIS – Chapters 1 and 2
3. Introduction to ArcGIS, exploring ArcMap and data sources
• ESRI Data
• Local Data
• Reading Assignment
4. Introduction to Arc Catalog
• Esri Data
• Local Data
• Reading Assignments
5. GPS Data Collection
• Tracks and Routes
• Field Collection
• Reading Assignments
6. GPS Functions with GIS Software
• GPS Functions – uploading, downloading, and managing points
• Readings and Assignments
7. Introduction and Overview of Map Composition
• Making Maps for Presentation
• Reading Assignments
8. Displaying Data in ArcMap
• Symbolizing features and Rasters
• Readings and Assignments
9. Data Sources Available in Minnesota and Project Development
• Downloading and displaying Minnesota Data
• Readings and Assignments:
10. Attribute Tables
• Attribute Table Creations, Use, Modification, Display and Analysis
• Reading and Assignments
11. Using Track Data from your GPS with A GIS
• Plotting and Analyzing GPS Tracks and Creating and Importing Files for your GPS
• Readings and Assignments: Coaster Brook Trout Project
12. GIS Datasets for your Projects and GIS Jobs
• Project Development
• Readings and Assignments: Finalize Flowcharts
13. Review and Summary of Topics Covered
• Lab Quiz
• Readings and Assignments
14. In Class Presentations
• Presentations
• Readings and Assignments
15. Lab Final Review and Practice

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Flow Charts and Lab Report generations
2. Basic GPS Functions and Data Collection in the field
3. Exploring ArcMap with ESRI Dat
4. Exploring ArcCatalog with ESRI Data
5. Field Collections of Tracks
6. GPS Functions
7. Making Maps for Presentations
8. Symbolizing Features and Rasters
9. Downloading Minnesota Data
10. Attribute Table Creation
11. Plotting and Analyzing GPS Tracks  and Creating and Importing Files for your GPS
12. Project Development
13. Lab QUIZ
14. Presentations
15. Presentations
16. Lab Final