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:
NATR 1280 - Introduction to GPS & GIS
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
NATR 1280 - Introduction to GPS & GIS
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
Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):
|
Name of Program(s)
|
Program Type
|
|
Natural Resources
|
AAS
|
|
Freshwater Studies
|
AS
|
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Demonstrate oral communication skills |
Students will be able to develop and put together a Power Point presentation that demonstrates GIS techniques in capturing, collecting and presenting maps related to an Environmental Area and shows data to help solve a problem that will explain in class. |
| Demonstrate reading and listening skills |
Each week student will demonstrate reading and listening skill that lead to being able to do weekly assignments from the text and from other information given in class. |
| Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
Students will need to analyze and follow a sequence of operations and will be demonstrated by the flow charts they create to show the progression of a GIS skill or process. |
| Utilize appropriate technology |
Students will demonstrate this each week by using and collecting data with their GPS systems and demonstrate downloading 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:
|
Expected Outcome
|
MnTC
Goal Area
|
|
Students will be able to assemble a small GIS database.
|
|
|
Students will be able to perform analyses with the data set.
|
|
|
Students will be able to construct a portfolio and a five minute presentation showcasing project
|
|
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
|
I. Examples of GIS projects in the Natural Resources Field
A. Using flow charts
B. Lab Report generations
C. ESRI Training Exercises
|
|
II. Introduction to using a GPS and Data Collection
A. Basic GPS Functions and Data Collection in the field
B. Reading Assignments – Getting to know GIS – Chapters 1 and 2
|
|
III. Introduction to ArcGIS, exploring ArcMap and data sources
A. ESRI Data
B. Local Data
C. Reading Assignment
|
|
IV. Introduction to Arc Catalog
A. Esri Data
B. Local Data
C. Reading Assignments
|
|
V. GPS Data Collection
A. Tracks and Routes
B. Field Collection
C. Reading Assignments
|
|
VI. GPS Functions with GIS Software
A. GPS Functions – uploading, downloading, and managing points
B. Readings and Assignments
|
|
VII. Introduction and Overview of Map Composition
A. Making Maps for Presentation
B. Reading Assignments
|
|
VIII. Displaying Data in ArcMap
A. Symbolizing features and Rasters
B. Readings and Assignments
|
|
IX. Data Sources Available in Minnesota and Project Development
A. Downloading and displaying Minnesota Data.
B. Readings and Assignments:
|
|
X. Attribute Tables
A. Attribute Table Creations, Use, Modification, Display and Analysis
B. Reading and Assignments
|
|
XI. Using Track Data from your GPS with A GIS
A. Plotting and Analyzing GPS Tracks and Creating and Importing Files for your GPS
B. Readings and Assignments: Coaster Brook Trout Project
|
|
XII. GIS Datasets for your Projects and GIS Jobs
A. Project Development
B. Readings and Assignments: Finalize Flowcharts
|
|
XIII. Review and Summary of Topics Covered
|
A. Lab Quiz
B. Readings and Assignments
|
|
XIV. In Class Presentations
A. Presentations
B. Readings and Assignments
|
|
XV. Lab Final Review and Practice
|
2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions
|
I. Flow Charts and Lab Report generations
|
|
II. Basic GPS Functions and Data Collection in the field
|
|
III. Exploring ArcMap with ESRI Dat
|
|
IV. Exploring ArcCatalog with ESRI Data
|
|
V. Field Collections of Tracks
|
|
VI. GPS Functions
|
|
VII. Making Maps for Presentations
|
|
VII. Symbolizing Features and Rasters
|
|
VIII. Downloading Minnesota Data
|
|
IX. Attribute Table Creation
|
|
X. Plotting and Analyzing GPS Tracks and Creating and Importing Files for your GPS
|
|
XI. Project Development
|
|
XII. Lab QUIZ
|
|
XIII. Presentations
|
|
XIV. Presentations
|
|
XV. Lab Final
|
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:
NATR 1280 - Introduction to GPS & GIS
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
NATR 1280 - Introduction to GPS & GIS
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 is required for the following program(s):
|
Name of Program(s)
|
Program Type
|
|
Natural Resources
|
AAS
|
|
Freshwater Studies
|
AS
|
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Demonstrate oral communication skills |
Students will be able to develop and put together a Power Point presentation that demonstrates GIS techniques in capturing, collecting and presenting maps related to an Environmental Area and shows data to help solve a problem that will explain in class. |
| Demonstrate reading and listening skills |
Each week student will demonstrate reading and listening skill that lead to being able to do weekly assignments from the text and from other information given in class. |
| Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
Students will need to analyze and follow a sequence of operations and will be demonstrated by the flow charts they create to show the progression of a GIS skill or process. |
| Utilize appropriate technology |
Students will demonstrate this each week by using and collecting data with their GPS systems and demonstrate downloading 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:
|
Expected Outcome
|
MnTC
Goal Area
|
|
Students will be able to assemble a small GIS database.
|
|
|
Students will be able to perform analyses with the data set.
|
|
|
Students will be able to construct a portfolio and a five minute presentation showcasing project
|
|
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
|
I. Examples of GIS projects in the Natural Resources Field
A. Using flow charts
B. Lab Report generations
C. ESRI Training Exercises
|
|
II. Introduction to using a GPS and Data Collection
A. Basic GPS Functions and Data Collection in the field
B. Reading Assignments – Getting to know GIS – Chapters 1 and 2
|
|
III. Introduction to ArcGIS, exploring ArcMap and data sources
A. ESRI Data
B. Local Data
C. Reading Assignment
|
|
IV. Introduction to Arc Catalog
A. Esri Data
B. Local Data
C. Reading Assignments
|
|
V. GPS Data Collection
A. Tracks and Routes
B. Field Collection
C. Reading Assignments
|
|
VI. GPS Functions with GIS Software
A. GPS Functions – uploading, downloading, and managing points
B. Readings and Assignments
|
|
VII. Introduction and Overview of Map Composition
A. Making Maps for Presentation
B. Reading Assignments
|
|
VIII. Displaying Data in ArcMap
A. Symbolizing features and Rasters
B. Readings and Assignments
|
|
IX. Data Sources Available in Minnesota and Project Development
A. Downloading and displaying Minnesota Data.
B. Readings and Assignments:
|
|
X. Attribute Tables
A. Attribute Table Creations, Use, Modification, Display and Analysis
B. Reading and Assignments
|
|
XI. Using Track Data from your GPS with A GIS
A. Plotting and Analyzing GPS Tracks and Creating and Importing Files for your GPS
B. Readings and Assignments: Coaster Brook Trout Project
|
|
XII. GIS Datasets for your Projects and GIS Jobs
A. Project Development
B. Readings and Assignments: Finalize Flowcharts
|
|
XIII. Review and Summary of Topics Covered
|
A. Lab Quiz
B. Readings and Assignments
|
|
XIV. In Class Presentations
A. Presentations
B. Readings and Assignments
|
|
XV. Lab Final Review and Practice
|
2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions
|
I. Flow Charts and Lab Report generations
|
|
II. Basic GPS Functions and Data Collection in the field
|
|
III. Exploring ArcMap with ESRI Dat
|
|
IV. Exploring ArcCatalog with ESRI Data
|
|
V. Field Collections of Tracks
|
|
VI. GPS Functions
|
|
VII. Making Maps for Presentations
|
|
VII. Symbolizing Features and Rasters
|
|
VIII. Downloading Minnesota Data
|
|
IX. Attribute Table Creation
|
|
X. Plotting and Analyzing GPS Tracks and Creating and Importing Files for your GPS
|
|
XI. Project Development
|
|
XII. Lab QUIZ
|
|
XIII. Presentations
|
|
XIV. Presentations
|
|
XV. Lab Final
|