Instructor Contact Information

 

Geographic Information Science and Spatial Reasoning
CRN 59016, Fully Online

Eileen Goff
GIS Faculty
Mesa College School of Business, Computer Studies, and Technologies
7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111
(619) 388-2803
egoff@sdccd.edu

 

 

Textbook and Course Material Requirements

 

Gorr, W.L. and K.S. Kurland, Learning and Using Geographic Information Systems: ArcExplorer Edition, Course Technology, 2005, ISBN 0619217472

Purchase Textbooks Online at the SDCCD Online Bookstore

 

Hardware and Software Requirements

 

Hardware and Software:
To successfully complete this online course, you will be required to meet the minimum hardware and software requirements. View Hardware and Software Requirements.

 

•     ArcExplorer Java Edition for Education is available from the data CD in your textbook. It can also be downloaded from http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/download-education.html.

•     Google Earth, a free download at http://earth.google.com.

•     ArcGIS Explorer, a download at http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/explorer/index.html

 

Internet Browser:
You must use a supported Internet browser in order to successfully work in WebCT, the online course management system for this course. To see a list of supported Internet browsers, click here.

 

Course Description

 

This course teaches the fundamentals of geographic information systems (GIS) including cartography/mapping, remote sensing, map interpretation, spatial analysis and statistics, and global positioning systems (GPS). The course includes conceptual knowledge and tutorials for using both desktop and Internet GIS software. Students study coordinate systems, vector-based and raster map layers, map navigation in a GIS, spatial analysis methods, map design principles, and sources of GIS data on the Internet. The course examines how geospatial technologies are used in addressing human and environmental problems. Students have an opportunity to apply their knowledge through short-answer questions on conceptual materials, hands-on practice exercises that require independent thinking, and execution of a class project in GIS.

 

Prerequisite: MATH 096 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent or Assessment Skill Level M50

                                               

Transfer Applicability: Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities CSU General Education UC Transfer Course List.

 

Course Objectives

 

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

 

•     Explain fundamental GIS concepts and applications

•     Demonstrate an understanding of Internet and desktop platforms used in GIS

•     Distinguish between appropriate map scales

•     Demonstrate georeferencing of data

•     Explain the fundamental concepts of GPS and how it is used in GIS

•     Describe how remotely sensed imagery is used in GIS

•     Demonstrate an understanding of map interpretation and cartography

•     Identify GIS data types and data management

•     Perform spatial data analysis

•     Identify and use sources of GIS data

•     Describe the current roles and future trends of GIS in society and academic disciplines such as economics, biology, sociology, business, etc.

 

Application and Registration Information

 

REGISTRATION DIRECTIONS:

  1. Complete Online Application (for new SDCCD students). Go to Student Web Services
  2. Receive registration appointment and instructions by email or mail.
  3. Register online at the Reg-e, our online registration system
  4. Make sure that you pay your tuition so that you don't lose your registration!
    Tuition and Fees Information.
  5. Order textbooks online. Visit our online bookstore.
  6. After completion of registration on Reg-e, and several days prior to the start of the semester, you will receive an email with course login instructions. If you don't receive an email please go to http://www.sdccdonline.net and login on the first day of class as follows:

 
Type your WebCT ID = 7-digit College Student Identification (CSID) number
Type your Password =  mmddyyyy (birthdate with no hyphens, slashes, or spaces)


For example:  1010101 (CSID number used at registration)
                       06231980 (password for birthdate June 23, 1980) 

  1.  If this course is closed, please login to Reg-e to be placed on a waitlist. If the waitlist is full, you will not be able to add your name to the waitlist.

You will not be able to login to your online course until the first day of the semester!!!
You must login to your online course on the first day of the session to avoid your enrollment being dropped. Follow the login instructions at http://www.sdccdonline.net/login