AGRI 126 Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems*

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer widely diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to investigating and understanding the world. This introductory course provides a broad perspective of how a GIS can aid in solving complex problems, predict outcomes, and mitigate unwanted scenarios. Students will be guided in a study of GIS theory and project management. Practical skills will include: data acquisition and management, data creation and editing, logical data queries, basic spatial analysis, and displaying data with basic cartography to create maps.

Credits

3 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

30

Semester Contact Hours Lab

30

Corequisite

AGRI 126L

AGRI 126Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems*

Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.

I. General Information

Department

Agriculture

II. Course Specification

Course Type

Program Requirement

Credit Hours Narrative

3 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

30

Semester Contact Hours Lab

30

Corequisite Narrative

AGRI 126L

Repeatable

N

III. Catalog Course Description

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer widely diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to investigating and understanding the world. This introductory course provides a broad perspective of how a GIS can aid in solving complex problems, predict outcomes, and mitigate unwanted scenarios. Students will be guided in a study of GIS theory and project management. Practical skills will include: data acquisition and management, data creation and editing, logical data queries, basic spatial analysis, and displaying data with basic cartography to create maps.

IV. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

• Understand the basic concepts and applications of geographic information systems (GIS). Students will gain understanding through classroom discussion, lab exercises, reading assignments, exam questions, and completion of a student project.
• Identify, compare, and contrast the basic properties of raster and vector spatial data; acquire, evaluate, and assess the accuracy of raster and vector spatial data from outside sources; and create their own vector data from GPS data collection, digitizing, and other methods. Lab and field exercises in conjunction with classroom discussion and exam questions will be used to assess student knowledge and ability.
• Build, query, and edit a GIS database; perform basic spatial analysis functions; and manipulate tabular data to create charts and graphs that present data clearly and effectively. Lab exercises, completion of a student project, and exam questions will be used to assess student skills, ability, and comprehension of this objective.
• Apply basic cartographic principles including symbology, projection, and scale to create maps that display raster and vector spatial data clearly and concisely. Students will develop their cartographic knowledge, skills, and ability through completion of lab exercises, a student project, and classroom discussion.

V. Topical Outline (Course Content)

Introduction Map Design GIS Outputs Geodatabases Collecting GPS Data Geoprocessing Digitizing Spatial Analyst/3D Analyst Remote Sensing & UAVs Final Projects

VI. Delivery Methodologies