1. USING SPATIAL CONCEPTS

• 1.1. The world in spatial terms

  1.1.1. human cognition of the spatial world

  1.1.2. asking geographic questions

• 1.2. Spatial description

  1.2.1. location

  1.2.2. distance

  1.2.3. direction

  1.2.4. scale and geographic detail

  1.2.5. physical space

  1.2.6. psychological space

• 1.3. Spatial distribution

  1.3.1. pattern

  1.3.2. density

  1.3.3. concentration(dispersion)

• 1.4. Spatial interaction

  1.4.1. connectivity

  1.4.2. spatial hierarchies

• 1.5. Space and time

  1.5.1. flow and diffusion

• 1.6. Spatial systems

  1.6.1. classification(boundaries)

  1.6.2. regions

  1.6.3. systems

• 1.7. Landscapes

  1.7.1. natural(physical)

  1.7.2. cultural

• 1.8. What is GIS?
• 1.9. What does GIS do?

2. MAPPING THE EARTH

2.1. Representing the earth

• 2.1.1. map types
• 2.1.2. map accuracy and resolution
• 2.1.3. map projections
• 2.1.4. coordinate systems

2.2. Describing the earth

• 2.2.1. measurement
• 2.2.2. position on the earth
  • 2.2.2.1. the shape of the earth
  • 2.2.2.2. georeferencing (ie postal codes)
  • 2.2.2.3. latitude/longitude/time

2.3. Cartographic representation

• 2.3.1. symbols
• 2.3.2. images
• 2.3.3. variables (choropleth)
• 2.3.4. points, lines, areas, fields, 3D
• 2.3.5. processes and time (temporality)
• 2.3.6. documentation(metadata)

2.4. Interpreting maps

• 2.4.1. legends
• 2.4.2. scales
• 2.4.3. symbols

• 3.1. Identify data sources
  • 3.1.1. demographic data
  • 3.1.2. transportation networks
  • 3.1.3. land records
  • 3.1.4. natural resources
  • 3.1.5. terrain
  • 3.1.6. local, regional, national, global data
• 3.2. Identify geographic data structures
  • 3.2.1. rasters
  • 3.2.2. vectors
  • 3.2.3. TINs
  • 3.2.4. objects
• 3.3. Convert data
  • 3.3.1. data exchange
  • 3.3.1.1. open GIS
  • 3.3.2. data conversion
  • 3.3.3. transfer standards
    • 3.3.3.1. interoperability
  • 3.3.4. transformation
• 3.4. Generate data from existing data
  • 3.4.1. CAD
  • 3.4.2. GPS coordinates
  • 3.4.3. address matching
  • 3.4.4. remotely sensed data
  • 3.4.5. CoGo
  • 3.4.6. calculate new fields from existings attributes

• 4.1. Create and implement directory structures
• 4.2. Write batch files to set operating parameters
• 4.3. Write batch files to automate file processes
• 4.4. Configure program properties and working directory(windows)
• 4.5. Install and configure software programs (for pc)
• 4.6. Utilize common operating systems
• 4.7. Utilize internet to access data and information
  • 4.7.1. use FTP to transfer data
  • 4.7.2. use Telnet to connect to other computer systems
• 4.8. Perform data backups
• 4.9. Transfer digital data between different formats, systems and software
• 4.10. Exhibit knowledge of graphic file formats
• 4.11. Utilize ascii editors and word processors
• 4.12. Perform common spreadsheet functions
• 4.13. Utilize database management programs to sort, manipulate, etc.
  • 4.13.1. non-spatial database models
  • 4.13.2. data modeling
  • 4.13.3. database theory and practice
• 4.14. Hardware for GIS systems
  • 4.14.1. configure a digitizer
  • 4.14.2. configure a scanner
  • 4.14.3. configure a plotter
• 4.15. Fundamentals of computing systems
  • 4.15.1. computer networks--able to describe common types of networks
  • 4.15.2. database administration - access and security issues

• 5.1. Customize user interfaces
• 5.2. Enhance software using macro and programming languages
• 5.3. Write computer programs using high level languages (eg. VB, C++)
• 5.4. Utilize scripting languages and operating system utilities to perform spatial data handling tasks (eg. AWK)
• 5.5. Describe fundamental concepts of object orientation

• 6.1. Digitize a map
• 6.2. Scan images and maps
• 6.3. Build tabular databases
• 6.4. Acquire coordinate geometry information
• 6.5. Use CAD to create a map
• 6.6. Collect global positioning system (GPS) Data
• 6.7. Recording metadata

• 7.1. Edit Data
  • 7.1.1. attributes
  • 7.1.2. spatial data
  • 7.1.3. topology
• 7.2. Validate data (Q/A)
  • 7.2.1. accuracy
  • 7.2.2. handle uncertainty
    • 7.2.2.1. storing uncertainty information
    • 7.2.2.2. error propagation
    • 7.2.2.3. visualization of uncertainty
    • 7.2.2.4. decision making under uncertainty
  • 7.2.3. generalization guidelines
• 7.3. Manipulate database files
  • 7.3.1. link
  • 7.3.2. sort
  • 7.3.3. expanding databases (i.e., adding new attributes)
• 7.4. Managing digitral libraries

• 8.1. Perform buffering operation
• 8.2. Overlay maps
• 8.3. Measure distance and connectivity
• 8.4. Characterize "neighborhoods"
• 8.5. Apply statistical analysis
• 8.6. Create new layers from existing layers
• 8.7. Reclassify maps
• 8.8. Perform spatial analysis functions
  • 8.8.1. boolean search
  • 8.8.2. map algebra operations
  • 8.8.3. surface derivative operations
  • 8.8.4. appropriate generalization
  • 8.8.5. shortest path analysis
  • 8.8.6. hydrological modelling
  • 8.8.7. location/allocation
  • 8.8.8. terrain modeling

• 9.1. Visualization and cartography
  • 9.1.1. apply sound cartographic fundamentals to map products(3)
  • 9.1.2. apply sound principles of graphic design(3) to reports
  • 9.1.3. select appropriate digital output options(3)
• 9.2. Plot and print maps, tables, charts, in hard and soft copy
  • 9.2.1. produce maps to local, state/provincial, federal, and agency standards
  • 9.2.2. develop templates for standardizing output products
• 9.3. Prepare and present digital presentations
• 9.4. Prepare data for export to other graphic formats (corel draw, postscript)

• 10.1. Plan a project
  • 10.1.1. needs analysis
  • 10.1.2. develop a budget
  • 10.1.3. prepare a cost recovery projection
  • 10.1.4. system evaluation
  • 10.1.5. specifying a GIS
• 10.2. Implement a project
  • 10.2.1. pilot project
    • 10.2.1.1. scope
    • 10.2.1.2. database design
  • 10.2.2. project documentation
  • 10.2.3. full implementation
• 10.3. Legal and ethical issues
• 10.4. Describe the industry
  • 10.4.1. history and trends
  • 10.4.2. current products and services
  • 10.4.3. careers in GIS
• 10.5. Market the data
  • 10.5.1. transfer standards
  • 10.5.2. national and international data infrastructures
  • 10.5.3. marketing strategy
  • 10.5.4. legal issues
  • 10.5.5. WWW and digital libraries
  • 10.5.6. create metadata

• 11.1. resource management
• 11.2. urban planning and management
• 11.3. cadastral records and LIS
• 11.4. facilities management
• 11.5. transportation applications - a network application
• 11.6. emergency response and E911 - a network application
• 11.7. environmental health
• 11.8. environmental modeling
• 11.9. ecological modeling
• 11.10. scientific research
• 11.11. studying and learning geography
• 11.12. business and marketing
• 11.13. real estate
• 11.14. recreation

• 12.1. Teaching GIS
  • 12.1.1. curriculum design for GIS descriptor
  • 12.1.2. teaching and learning GIS in laboratories
• 12.2. Statistical analysis
  • 12.2.1. dimensionality
  • 12.2.2. spatial variation
  • 12.2.3. classification of data
  • 12.2.4. measurement levels
  • 12.2.5. error - sources, types
  • 12.2.6. spatial data models - vector, raster - included in 2.5.2, 3.2 ???

[Welcome] [Curriculum] [Gateway] [Contributors] [Partner Projects] [NCGIA]

---

Currently maintained by Violet Gray
Created: August 19, 1996. Last updated: January 31, 1997.
Comments to gray@geog.ucsb.edu