SJSU Geography Geography 170
Introduction to Mapping & Geographic Information Systems
Instructor: Richard Taketa
Meeting Times: See Geog 170 General Page
 
Description: Geography 170 is an introduction to maps and geographic information systems. It covers the cartographic, geographic, computer graphic, and database concepts that provide the foundation for these systems. You will be given a broad exposure to GIS development, application, and potential through discussion, reading, and laboratory exercises.

Specific objectives are for you

  • to obtain an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of mapping and geographic information systems.
  • to be able to understand and use locational information.
  • to be able to construct a thematic map using a geographic information system.
  • to understand how geographic information systems can be used to solve to a variety of application problems.

The course will involve a combination of lectures, discussions, and laboratory exercises. Please keep up on the reading assignments. The lectures/discussions will expand on the materials in the text. Discussions will involve all members of the class. However, you will not be evaluated on participation.

You will be evaluated on 8 laboratory exercises, 1 case study, 2 examinations, and a final project. The laboratory exercises will involve basic mapping and GIS operations. You should keep up on these, as we will have little time to make up work.

Examinations will cover materials from the lectures and readings and will consist of multiple-choice, short answer, and short essay questions. Make up examinations will be arranged as necessary, and may be based on different questions than those on the original examination.

The case study will involve finding an article describing a GIS project, writing a brief summary of the article, and discussing the article in class.

The project will involve obtaining thematic data and integrating that data into a GIS to produce a set of maps.

Desire2Learn: Materials and additional readings are available in the lab and the class Desire2Learn site (https://sjsu.desire2learn.com).

Go to the San Jose eCampus site (http://www.sjsu.edu/ecampus/students/) for instructions on using Desire2Learn.

Department of Geography
San Jose State University
118 Washington Square Hall
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0116
Telephone: 408-924-5475
Fax: 408-924-5477
http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/geography 		San Jose State University