Course Description
This course covers the fundamentals of map use and interpretation map production using GIS and geospatial technology. The student will gain experience in the applications of map-based analysis in the fields of environment and natural resources management.
Course Credits: 3
Prerequisites: There is no prerequisite for this course.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Identify ways in which maps and geo-visualizations are providing a common language and framework for communication and solving problems (CLO 1).
- Apply cartographic design principles such as symbology, color, and classification methods to create, modify, and critically evaluate effective maps and visualizations (CLO 2).
- Analyze data spatially with web GIS tools using a variety of techniques, including visualization, filtering, map overlay, routing, mean center, and proximity (CLO 3).
- Demonstrate how to create maps and apps from spreadsheets, from GPS data, from field surveys, from joining data, and from pre-existing maps (CLO 4).
- Identify ways in which society influences mapping, and how mapping influences society, through data availability, data quality, map projections, crowdsourcing, location privacy, the Internet of Things, and design (CLO 5).
- Create multimedia 2D maps and 3D scenes that effectively communicate an issue, event, theme, or research results (CLO 6).
- Discuss how the components of the biophysical environment affect the management of our natural resources.(CLO7)
- Describe the principle of sustainable development and discuss the common tools used for scientific analysis, most notably GIS and Remote Sensing.(CLO 8)
- Describe drivers of unsustainability (CLO 9)
- Give examples of how ecosystem services are connected to human well-being (CLO 10)