Geographic Information Systems
^{Course Objectives}

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Define Geographic Information System.
2. Outline origins of the field.
3. Discuss GIS terminology and concepts.
4. Compare the differences between GIS, CADD, and Automated Mapping.
5. Understand the basic concepts of geography pertaining to: Geodesy, Map projections, Map-based grid systems
6. Become familiar with various hardware associated with GIS.
7. Become familiar with various software components of GIS.
8. Become familiar with the concept of modeling reality in a GIS.
9. Understand various options for data models underlying GIS.
10. Understand how data structures contribute to GIS functionality.
11. Understand how file structures may ultimately effect GIS software efficiency.
12. Discuss the raster data model.
13. Discuss the vector data model.
14. Understand some of the various vector data models that have been used over time to store polygons.
15. Understand the differences between raster and vector data models.
16. Understand the situations when one of the models might be better to use.
17. Understand the basic components and analysis associated with Networks.
18. Become familiar with the concept of "fuzzy" logic and its implication on GIS.
19. Understand how to classify and measure spatial data.
20. Understand types of spatial variation
21. List and discuss error and accuracy issues.
22. Be familiar with the various types of maps used to display information.
23. Understand the concept of Cartographic Modeling in GIS analysis.
24. Name and explain the major analytical functions supported by GIS.
25. Understand Cartographic Neighborhoods in Raster GIS.
26. Explain various examples of Raster analysis of neighborhoods.
27. Become familiar with sources and types of attribute data.
28. Become familiar with sources and types of spatial data.

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