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IS-270 Geographic Information Systems

Course Description:
This course provides a conceptual overview and hands-on experience using ArcGIS software. The course teaches basic ArcGIS functionality and enables students to quickly take advantage of the software’s powerful display and analysis capabilities. Students are introduced to the desktop applications in the ArcGIS suite and how to use them to create, edit, display, query, analyze and present geographic and tabular data.  

  • This course also meets PLO#(s) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of CIS program
  • Prerequisite Courses: IS201    Computer Information Systems

A.  PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs): 
The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of technical concepts and ethical issues pertaining to information systems.
  2. Demonstrate theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the management and strategic use of information systems and technology.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of different software applications significant to manipulating and analyzing information as well as generating and presenting reports in the various functional areas of business.
  4. Demonstrate solid foundation skills in database design and management, web engineering, programming, and networking.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to adapt to latest technologies using their foundation knowledge and skills from CIS.

B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL: 
The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an introductory level of understanding GIS and the applications that make up ArcGIS desktop.
  2. Explain the types of data sets used in ArcGIS.
  3. Upload, display and query all types of geographic data in ArcMap and ArcCatalog.
  4. Join and link databases with spatial features.
  5. Symbolize and classify feature data and raster data.
  6. Work with map projections and converting between them.
  7. Create, edit and manage shapefiles and personal geodatabases.
  8. Work with layers and data frame properties
  9. Create and customize maps.

SLO

PLO1

PLO2

PLO3

PLO4

PLO5

1

I, D

I, D

I, D

I, D

I, D,M

2

I, D

I, D

I, D

I, D

I, D,M

3

I, D

I, D,M

I, D,M

I, D

I, D,M

4

I, D

I, D,M

I, D,M

I, D

I, D,M

5

I, D

I, D,M

I, D,M

I, D

I, D,M

6

I, D

I, D

I, D

I, D

I, D,M

7

I, D

I, D,M

I, D,M

I, D

I, D,M

8

I, D

I, D

I, D

I, D

I, D,M

9

I, D

I, D,M

I, D,M

I, D

I, D,M

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)-SPECIFIC: 
The student will be able to: 

General SLO 1. Demonstrate an introductory level of understanding GIS and the applications that make up ArcGIS desktop.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

1.1. Explain what GIS stands for.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

1.2. List and explain the capabilities of GIS.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

1.3. Discuss the history of GIS.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

1.4. Discuss how GIS is used and applied in business cases and other applications.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

1.5. Explain the purpose of the applications that make up ArcGIS desktop: ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

1.6. Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the functions and features of ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

General SLO 2. Explain the types of data sets used in ArcGIS.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

2.1. List the types of data used in ArcGIS and explain their differences and how they are used.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

2.2. Explain what vector data is and how it is used and represented in ArcGIS.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

2.3. Explain what raster data is and how it is used and represented in ArcGIS.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

2.4. Explain what tabular data is and how it is used and represented in ArcGIS.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

General SLO 3. Upload, display and query all types of geographic data in ArcMap and ArcCatalog.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

3.1. Discuss the functions of the basic tools in the tools toolbar.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

3.2. Launch ArcGIS desktop and upload data in ArcMap and ArcCatalog.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

3.3. Use the tools toolbars to display, move, select, identify, symbolize and label data in the data view window and the layout view window.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

3.4. Use the tools toolbars and the ArcToolbox to make a query of the data sets in ArcMap and ArcCatalog.

Practical assessment and class project scored with a rubric.

General SLO 4. Join and link databases with spatial features.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

4.1. Explain the purpose of joining and linking databases with spatial features.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

4.2. Discuss the differences between joining and linking.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

4.3. Use the join data tool to join two or more tabular data together.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

4.4. Use the link data tool to link tabular data to feature data.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

General SLO 5. Symbolize and classify feature data and raster data.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

5.1. Explain the purpose of symbolizing data sets.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

5.2. Explain the purpose of classifying data sets.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

5.3. Discuss the differences between symbolizing and classifying data sets.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

5.4. Use the symbology tool to symbolize feature classes and raster classes. 

Practical assessment and class project.

5.5. Use the classifying tool to classify data.

Practical assessment and class project scored with a rubric.

General SLO 6. Work with map projections and converting between them.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

6.1. Explain what a geographic coordinate system is.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

6.2. List different types of coordinate systems used in ArcGIS.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

6.3. Explain what map projection is and how it is used.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

6.4. Name the map projections used in ArcGIS.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

6.5. Explain map distortion and precision.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

6.6. Use the map projection tools in ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox to define, change and convert map projections.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

General SLO 7. Create, edit and manage shapefiles and personal geodatabases.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

7.1. Explain what shapefile is.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

7.2. Discuss what features are represented by points, polylines and polygons.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

7.3. Explain what personal geodatabase is and how to create one.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

7.4. List different types of geodatabases used in ArcGIS.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

7.5. Create and edit shapefiles using the edit tools in the editor’s toolbar and the tools in ArcToolbox.

Practical assessment and class project scored with a rubric.

7.6. Create, edit and manage a personal geodatabase in ArcCatalog and ArcMap.

Practical assessment and class project scored with a rubric.

General SLO 8. Work with layer and data frame properties.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

8.1. Define layer and how to import one into ArcMap.  

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

8.2. Define data frame and how to add one in ArcMap.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

8.3. Use the layer’s property window to rename and change the layer’s properties.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

8.4. Use the data frame’s property window to rename and change the data frame’s properties.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

8.5. Activate and deactivate layers and data frames.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

General SLO 9. Create and customize maps.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

9.1. Explain what a map is.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

9.2. Discuss the uses of a map.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

9.3. List the elements of a map.

Homework and/or class quizzes and/or exams.

9.4. Use a map template to create a map.

Practical assessment scored with a rubric.

9.5. Create a map and include the elements of a map.

Practical assessment and class project scored with a rubric.

9.6. Customize a map.

Practical assessment and class project scored with a rubric.

D. COURSE CONTENT

  1. Introducing ArcGIS and its desktop applications
  2. Maps and data types used in ArcGIS
  3. Spatial data display
  4. Spatial data access
  5. Spatial data editing
  6. Tabular data access and editing
  7. Data query and analysis
  8. Presenting results

E. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Lecture of topics, concepts and techniques using slides and live demonstrations, questions and discussions.
Practice sessions: each student receives a work book that guides them through realistic ArcGIS activities.

F. REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Ormsby, T., Napoleon, E., Burke, R., Groessl, C. (2004). Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop: Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo (Paperback). Redlands, California; ESRI Press. 2nd edition (or most recent edition).

Gorr, W.L. and Kurland, K.S. (2008). GIS Tutorial (Paperback). Redlands, California; ESRI Press (most recent edition).

ArcGIS Desktop (latest version/edition)
Flash drives

G. REFERENCE MATERIALS
Longley, P., Goodchild, M., Maquire, D., & David, R. (Eds.). (2005). Geographic Information Systems and Science. New York: John Wiley & Sons. (or most recent edition).
ESRI website at: http://www.esri.com

H. INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None

I. EVALUATION
The student must exhibit proficiency of at least 70% to receive a passing grade of “C”.

J. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None

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