Course Outline for Geography 20
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Effective: Fall 2025
SLO Rev:

Catalog Description:

GEO 20 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

3.00 Units

Computer-based information technology tools and techniques that analyze spatial relationships between locations and attributes of physical, cultural, and economic features. Visualization of geographic relationships to support decision-making through interactive linkages of maps, databases, images, and charts. Introduction to GIS theory, principles, concepts, applications, and operations. Field trips may be required.
CB03: TOP Code 2206.10 - Geographic Information Systems*
CIP Code 45.0702 - Geographic Information Science and Cartography
Course Grading: Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Activity 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Laboratory 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Clinical 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Work Experience 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. define GIS and describe its subsystems and components;
  2. compare and contrast GIS with traditional mapping;
  3. describe or list some typical GIS applications;
  4. demonstrate basic computer literacy and skills for GIS;
  5. explain map feature concepts;
  6. apply fundamental cartographic design concepts;
  7. explain and/or illustrate GIS data types and data models and their map structures;
  8. find, retrieve, download, and input various data types from a variety of sources;
  9. create metadata files and evaluate data quality, including sources of error;
  10. manage, query, analyze, and create spatial data using desktop GIS software;
  11. describe some of the data analysis functions that enhance visualization and decision-making capabilities of GIS;
  12. apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to the completion of several tutorial-based exercises, instructor assigned real-world mini-projects, and/or student-selected course projects;
  13. design and produce cartographic and graphical presentations that effectively communicate GIS project information.

Course Content:

  1. What is GIS?
    1. Definition(s)
    2. History
    3. Advantages over traditional mapping
    4. Introduction to GIS subsystems
      1. data input function
      2. data storage and retrieval functions
      3. data manipulation and analysis functions
      4. data output functions
    5. Overview of GIS components
      1. hardware
      2. software
      3. data
      4. people
      5. methods
  2. GIS applications overview
    1. Desktop GIS for mapping and multi-media presentation
    2. GIS as a multi-disciplinary learning tool
    3. GIS for spatial analysis
    4. GIS for environmental and land use planning
  3. Basic computer literacy and skills for GIS
    1. Introduction to a GIS interface
    2. Fundamental word processing, spreadsheet, and database skills
    3. Introduction to file management and working directories
  4. Map feature concepts
    1. Points, lines, polygons
    2. Absolute and relative location
    3. Feature attributes
    4. Symbolizing and coding feature attributes
    5. Coordinate systems (location reference systems)
    6. Spatial distributions and relationships
  5. Fundamental cartographic concepts
    1. Map scale
      1. definition
      2. types
      3. relation to sizes of features and symbols
    2. Map properties
      1. shape
      2. area
      3. distance
      4. direction
      5. proximity
    3. Map distortion
    4. Projections, ellipsoids, and datums
  6. Overview of GIS data types and data models and their map structures
    1. GIS data types
      1. vector data
      2. attribute (tabular) data
      3. raster and image data
    2. Relationship of the “Paper Map World” to the “GIS Map World”
      1. representation of features on a paper map
      2. representation of features on a GIS map
      3. GIS raster-vector conversion of points, lines, polygons
    3. Overview of attribute data models
      1. tabular
      2. hierarchical
      3. network
      4. relational
      5. object-oriented
  7. Introduction to accessing and creating data
    1. Data sources
      1. hard-copy maps
      2. CAD drawings
      3. aerial photographs
      4. remotely-sensed satellite imagery
      5. point data samples from surveys and GPS
      6. existing digital files and the Internet
    2. Data examples
      1. demographic
      2. transportation networks
      3. land records
      4. natural resources
      5. terrain
    3. Data quality 
      1. metadata
      2. precision, accuracy, and error
    4. Downloading and input techniques
      1. digitizing
      2. scanning
      3. data compression and decompression
      4. data conversion (source format to system-compatible format)
      5. data projection
      6. registration and conflation
  8. Managing, querying, analyzing, and creating spatial data
    1. Thematic data (theme) concept
      1. organization of theme features and attributes
      2. spatial overlay of themes
    2. Managing thematic data
      1. grouping of similar themes
      2. ordering themes in displayed layers
      3. manipulating visibility of layers and themes
    3. Referencing thematic data to the real-world
      1. review of the fundamentals of map projections
        1. geographic latitude/longitude coordinates
        2. map reference system x,y coordinates
        3. map distortion problems
      2. techniques for converting between geographic and projected data
      3. measuring distance and area
    4. Symbolizing and classifying thematic data
      1. symbolization types
        1. single symbol
        2. unique value
        3. graduated color
        4. graduated and proportional symbol
        5. chart symbol
      2. classifying data for symbolization
        1. natural breaks
        2. quantile
        3. equal interval
        4. equal area
        5. standard deviation
      3. manipulating classes
        1. adding and deleting classes
        2. editing class values and labels
      4. building and modifying legend elements
      5. symbols palettes
      6. scaling symbols
    5. Managing thematic data display
      1. selecting and saving  feature subsets
      2. labeling theme features
      3. creating linkages to images and documents
    6. Querying features based on attributes
    7. Analyzing spatial relationships between two themes
      1. theme-on-theme selection
      2. types of spatial relationships
        1. proximity
        2. adjacency
        3. containment
        4. intersection
        5. union
        6. overlay
    8. Address geocoding
      1. linking street addresses to geographic coordinates
      2. required input data and formats
        1. address tables
        2. address locators
        3. addressing styles
  9. Managing tabular data
    1. Adding tables from external sources
    2. Creating a tables
    3. Editing tables
    4. Creating summary tables
    5. Querying tables
      1. selecting records
      2. creating summaries and statistics
    6. Joining and linking tables
      1. reasons for associating tables
      2. relational database basic concepts
        1. destination and source tables
        2. common field key
      3. table record relationships
  10. Overview of other data analysis functions that enhance visualization and decision-making capabilities of GIS
    1. Buffering and neighborhood functions
    2. Surface analysis
    3. Network analysis
    4. Image analysis
    5. 3D analysis
    6. Market area analysis
    7. Tracking analysis
  11. Cartographic and graphical presentation of GIS information
    1. Cartographic layouts
      1. creating presentation-quality maps in Desktop GIS
      2. layout components: frames, documents, images, graphics, and text
      3. design factors
        1. purpose of map
        2. audience
        3. map elements
          1. map body
          2. legend
          3. scale bar
          4. north arrow
          5. titles
          6. neatlines
        4. other presentation components
          1. scanned documents
          2. charts (graphs)
          3. images
          4. text
      4. creating a map layout
        1. page layout: size, orientation, margins, grid
        2. defining, creating, and scaling frames
        3. adding and modifying graphics and images
      5. layout templates
        1. using standard templates
        2. creating custom templates
    2. Charts
      1. creating a chart
        1. specifying elements to be graphed
        2. chart types
          1. area
          2. bar
          3. column
          4. line
          5. pie
          6. scatter and bubble plots
      2. changing chart elements
      3. querying and editing charts

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Active learning
  2. Field trips (some instructors may have field trips to government and commercial sites so students can experience “GIS at work”)
  3. Hands-on computer experience with desktop GIS software and tutorials
  4. Interactive Web Sessions
  5. Lecture/Discussion
  6. Demonstration/Exercise
  7. Distance Education

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Read the "Desktop GIS Primer" from the CD-ROM accompanying the textbook or from the internet at http://www.innovativegis.com/education/primer/primer.html.
  2. Write your own definition of GIS and compare it to definitions presented in the textbook and those you may find on the Internet. What key terms are common across the definitions? Include a summary description of GIS subsystems and components.
  3. Describe some typical GIS applications. Choose one or two to compare and contrast GIS with traditional mapping techniques.
  4. Through active learning and assistance from the instructor, find, retrieve, download, and input to Desktop GIS various data types from a variety of sources; for example: 1) Access the on-line USGS digital terrain or line files and unzip the files. 2) Access ESRI's ArcData website and download the Tiger demographic files 3) Access and download data conversion programs on the web 4) Access tabular data and convert it to Excel format
  5. Convert a theme’s attribute data from a spreadsheet format to a GIS table format
  6. List online sources of downloadable thematic geographic information.
  7. Geocode 10 or more street addresses in Alameda County using the county streets theme
  8. Add themes to a data view from multiple sources, including: 1) a personal directory of themes 2) a Geodatabase 3) a digital image library 4) an event theme
  9. Develop a GIS term project demonstrating your ability to synthesize GIS elements into a meaningful package of map layouts, tabular outputs, charts, and written documentation. In your project, demonstrate your working knowledge of cartographic design principles by including a minimum of two cartographic layouts that, at a minimum, include: 1) scale bar and representative fraction scale 2) north arrow or compass rose 3) legend(s) explaining symbolization of all mapped data layers 4) neatlines (appropriate borders, edges) 5) appropriately placed titles and text 6) two or more multi-thematic data frames 7) charts illustrating the distribution of selected theme attributes 8) copyright credits for imported images and other “packaged” map elements
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Papers
  3. Oral Presentation
  4. Projects
  5. Class Performance
  6. Final Examination or Project
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a competent level of proficiency in spatial techniques, map design and production, and analysis of geodatabases.
  2. Recognize spatial relationships between different types of map features: points, lines, polygons, symbols, legends, and scales.
  3. Understand how to evaluate and express the geographic underpinning of GIS.
  4. ​Identify appropriate uses of map components such as data frames, tables, layout, charts, etc., and be capable of manipulating and presenting them.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Douglas Clark (2020). Using a GIS to Assess Stream-Channel Migration (1st/e). OER Commons https://oercommons.org/courses/using-a-gis-to-assess-stream-channel-migration.
  2. Rebecca Boger (2023). Introduction to GIS Using ArcExplorer and Brooklyn Data Sets (1st/e). OER Commons https://oercommons.org/courses/introduction-to-gis-using-arcexplorer-and-brooklyn-data-sets.
  3. Anders Knudby, Claudia Sauro, Galen Richarson, Michael Sawada (2023). GIS and the Digital Earth Labs (1st/e). OER Commons https://oercommons.org/courses/gis-and-the-digital-earth-labs.
  1. Kang-tsung Chang (2019). Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (9th). McGraw Hill.
  2. J. Chris Carter (2023). Introduction to Human Geography Using ArcGIS Online (2nd). ESRI Press.
  3. David Smith, Nathan Strout, Christian Harder, Steven Moore, Tim Ormsby, Thomas Balstrom (2018). Understanding GIS - Exercise Data (4th). ESRI Press.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Computer-based information technology tools and techniques that analyze spatial relationships between locations and attributes of physical, cultural, and economic features.

Discipline:
Geography*