Geographic Information Systems - Advanced Diploma

GIS 302: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems is an introduction to GIS theory and application. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how geospatial features are represented and captured as data and how these data can be managed, analyzed and presented using state-of-the-art GIS tools. Hands-on expertise will be developed with ESRI's ArcGIS for Pro software. This material is continued in GIS 303. This course or equivalent credit is required to continue in the ADGIS program.

GIS 303: GIS Analysis and Automation will build upon the fundamentals of GIS theory by examining geodata models, data management and metadata, advanced analysis (raster and vector), 3D models, batching and scripting. The lab portion of this course will focus on the use of ArcGIS and its extensions for vector and raster analysis, Model Builder for analysis workflow control, and Python scripting for automation.

GIS 306: Introduction to Remote Sensing will introduce the fundamentals of the basic physical principle of remote sensing and demonstrate the current applications of the technology. Students will become familiar with the basic image processing techniques for image pre-processing and data extraction. The course is designed to stimulate the current remote sensing activities in natural resource management.

GIS 310: GIS Data Management. Over the last few decades, geospatial technologies have evolved and infiltrated into an exponential number of organizations' and people's lives to the point where they are ubiquitous. Along with this great expansion of use comes an even greater need to access the right data and to manage and utilize it appropriately for each unique project. This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of dealing with spatial data and data management principles. We will explore key topics related to working with spatial data including data discovery, data dissemination and data use. Along with these topics comes the need to discuss ethics of data use and data use guidelines, data formats, standards and translation, metadata, as well as general data management and maintenance principles. The commercial software - FME will be introduced for data manipulation and translation from one format to the other.

GIS 316: Introduction to CAD for GIS Professionals. This course provides an introduction to Autodesk's computer-assisted design and drafting software for GIS students. Students will learn the fundamentals of the drafting environment, including setting up their workspace, utilizing common tools, creating and modifying entities and text, and crafting print layouts. AutoCad Map3D will be explored for LiDAR data manipulation. This course will frequently touch upon the differences and similarities of CAD and GIS as well as when and how GIS professionals may use CAD in their career and how transitions between the two environments may occur. By the end of the course students should gain appreciation of the complementary technology that CAD offers alongside GIS

GIS 318: Cartography and Geovisualization is the art and science of map making and map use. Preparation of high quality maps that readily reveal land management, planning, environmental or other concerns is critical to ensure that important messages are conveyed in an easily interpretable fashion. This course introduces the concepts and methods of cartographic communication, design, and geovisualization. Mapping fundamentals will address subjects such as coordinate systems, projections, datums, cartographic generalization, map types, and map design considerations. All cartographic principles and practices will be examined in relationship to GIS and other geospatial technologies. We will use ArcGIS software to complete most of the activities.

GIS 323: Introduction to Global Navigation Satellite Systems and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles will first introduce the fundamental concepts of Global Navigation Satellite Systems with specific emphasis on Global Positioning System (GPS) and the applied technologies for GPS data collection and GIS integration. Through interactive instruction and hands-on course exercises, students will work with a variety of GPS tools and field collection techniques to learn how to create, edit, update and manage geographic information. Emphasis areas will include familiarity with GPS receivers, GPS processing software, data collection standards and cartography. The second part of the course will introduce Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) technology. More specifically, this includes introduction to photogrammetry, characteristics of images obtained from UAV, mission planning, acquiring images using UAV and digital image processing. Students will work on series of assignments to get the hands on experience on data acquisition and image processing.

GIS 329: Principles of Programming for GIS assumes no prior programming knowledge. Students will learn how to set and use variables, write and import modules, and use selection and repetition to control program flow as implemented in the Python language. At a more advanced level, students will learn to write programs that embed functions and object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts such as the use of objects, properties, and methods. Topics of scripting in Python and the usage of ESRI's ArcPy module for the automation of geoprocessing and mapping tasks will be introduced.

GIS 390: Applied Research Methods involves the design and planning of a project idea from initial concept to anticipated final outputs. Topics include an overview of the steps necessary to successfully integrate GIS into the project decision-making process. Specific skills will be developed in project scoping and research proposal development, reference material management, and project presentation methods, including oral, poster, and written project documents. This course is a prerequisite for Co-op 301, GIS 491, and GIS 492.

GIS 307: Remote Sensing in Resource Management. Building upon the skills introduced in Introduction to Remote Sensing (GIS 306), this course will cover topics in the biophysical, geophysical, and human activity applications of remote sensing as well as change detection, object-oriented analysis, and active and passive imaging. Lectures will be integrated with labs emphasizing practical experience in remote sensing software applications using ENVI 5.x and QGIS 3.x. This course consists, in part, of an independent project designed and conducted by individual students to foster a scientific research approach in executing a remote sensing project. Each student will identify a project to be approved by the instructor during the first week of the class. Students are expected to work individually to complete their chosen project. The instructor will periodically discuss project progress and provisional results in the class.

GIS 313: Database Systems is an integral part of GIS, an associated relational database system is used for query and analysis operations that aid in solving spatial problems. This introduction to relational database systems includes topics of: database concepts, data definition, structured query language (SQL), and data integration.

This course is a continuation of Database Systems I, and will cover relational database geodatabase skills using mainly Microsoft Access and ESRI Geodatabases with ArcSDE and a PostgreSQL backend. The purpose of this course is to introduce both conceptual and practical aspects of designing and developing both a database and a geodatabase. The course will provide an overview of some design methodologies and models. Following this overview, the course will cover database and geodatabase design and implementation using Access/Geodatabases and optionally ArcSDE on top of PostgreSQL.

GIS 320: GIS Professional Development. Current and relevant professional development in GIS is essential for new graduates and experienced practitioners to achieve and maintain success in the continually changing GIS field. During this seminar course we will invite local GIS industry expert guest speakers to learn how their organization uses GIS technology and what skills are most required for success. We will also cover designation upon graduation, developing a professional development plan, and identify various GIS organizations.

GIS 321: New Media. In our continually evolving digital world, employers and clients often expect GIS graduates to have an online presence. We need a venue to showcase what we do and what we are capable of, and how we format and present our online portfolio can be make or break a new position or contract award. This New media course consists of a series of workshops designed to build digital presentation and presence skills using some popular New media tools, graphics editors, video editing software, websites and blogs plus additional freeware social media tools like Twitter and LinkedIn. At the end of this course students will have built their own websites hosting creative self-produced media and begun the process of building an online GIS network to begin or further their GIS careers.

GIS 325: Internet Mapping investigates the full range of Internet and intranet mapping, including static maps, online data, and web map (image) and feature services. Most of the emphasis of the course will be on the use of ESRI's ArcGIS Server software to serve maps over the Internet. Free mass media applications Google Earth and Google Map applications will be introduced. Web map OpenGIS Consortium standards and freeware server and viewer software will be discussed. The course curriculum will be delivered using lectures and hands-on class exercises. Students will author, administer, design and manage interactive Web Mapping projects through a number of lab assignments, and through a term project. The term project will be the development of a site which will be served through the campus intranet and/or through the SGRC public server. The course requires prior knowledge of GIS theory, BC datasets, and ArcGIS software which students have previously acquired in ADGIS courses GIS 302, 303, 310 and 318.

In GIS 331: Advanced GIS Application we will learn about and practice applying GIS to spatial problems; arguably one of the most challenging parts of putting this powerful technology into action. We will focus on GIS for Health Analysis as well as other applications of GIS (such as crime analysis) by utilizing sophisticated analysis techniques including hotspot analysis, Getis-Ord G* statistic, exploratory regression, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically weighted regression (GWR).