This course introduces how geologic and earth surface data are stored and analyzed within a geographic information system. The first unit of the course will cover basic skills about types of data, importing data into a database, coordinate systems and projections, and map layouts. The second unit of the course will introduce basic analyses of surface data. The third unit will cover methods of modeling streams, geologic units or processes in two or three dimensions. Throughout the class, data will be independently downloaded from various digital sources and applied to hypothesis-driven analyses and critical interpretations.
Topics
- Maps and data in GIS
- Coordinate systems & projections
- Vector data, GPS data, & map layout
- Attribute tables, joins, & queries
- Georeferencing maps & images
- Digitizing
- Geoprocessing
- Evaluating surfaces
- Defining streams & basins
- LiDAR & TIN analyses
- Lines of site & topographic profiles
- Raster calculation
- Spatial interpolation
Why do geoscientists need GIS?
Read about one perspective from AAPG here.