Chabot College
Fall 2007
Course Outline for Geography 95
WORK EXPERIENCE
Catalog Description
Geography 95 – Work Experience
(may be repeated 3 times)
1-3 units
College supervised on-the-job training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Applications of principles, methodologies, and skills in using GIS to analyze real-world
spatial problems and aid in decision-making. Cooperative effort between student, work
supervisor, and instructor to broaden the student’s experience with GIS tools and
functionality in many professional endeavors. Corequisite: Geography 96. 5-15 hours of
employment per week.
[Typical contact hours: 87.5 – 262.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
describe the work experience site in terms of organization, goals and philosophy;
demonstrate project management tools, GIS techniques, and user interfaces most
frequently used in relationship to project goals at the worksite;
reproduce or illustrate the structure of GIS data models and documents developed
during the work experience;
describe the organizational structure of GIS managers and GIS analysts in
completing a successful applications project;
itemize new or significantly refined skills acquired using GIS techniques at the
worksite.
6.
Course Content:
1.
2.
Approval of worksite through consultation between instructor and supervisor
a.
Identifying appropriateness of GIS techniques to project objectives
b.
Defining scope and milestones in GIS project development
c.
Determine experiences that will broaden knowledge of the job and
worksite
d.
Determine learning opportunities likely during the work time period
Identification of analytical and cartographic skills essential to project objectives
a.
GIS document types
b.
Techniques essential to data collection, retrieval, and import to GIS
c.
Defining data attribute tabular data for a project
d.
Itemizing types of map and graphics presentation products
Chabot College
Course Outline for Geography 95, page 2
Fall 2007
Course Content (Cont’d):
3.
4.
5.
GIS project data models
a.
Selection of GIS thematic data layers and feature types
b.
Data definitions and dictionaries linked to GIS themes
c.
Organization and management of presentable map and graphics
documents
d.
Development of metadata for selected GIS themes and databases
Working with project managers and analytical colleagues
a.
Project responsibilities
b.
Decision management in meeting project goals and creating output for
presentation, analysis, and documentation
c.
Roles of project team members
d.
Steps in designing, developing, editing, and documenting GIS products
e.
Applying basic cartographic design principles
Exploring tools and functional operations in GIS systems
a.
Working with data retrieval, query, and statistical analysis tools
b.
Selection of utilities and extensions to supplement mapping and spatial
analysis tools
c.
Creating, digitizing, and/or georeferencing new data for GIS
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Counseling and consultation with the student at regular time intervals during the
period of experience
Presentation of selective lists of local organizations employing GIS analysts
Hands-on computer experience with desktop GIS
Active learning between student and workplace colleagues
Field trips (some instructors may have field trips to government and commercial
sites so students can experience “GIS at work”)
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
a.
Develop a work experience journal, including entries for:
1)
description of project team members and roles
2)
primary GIS user interfaces used
3)
new analytical and mapping tools encountered
4)
problems experienced in data handling, data accuracy, and output
products design
5)
hardware and software used in particular project stages
b.
Present illustrative documents under development in the work project
c.
Explain project objectives and milestones in consultations with the
instructor
Chabot College
Course Outline for Geography 95, page 3
Fall 2007
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Performance evaluation completed by the work experience supervisor,
reviewed by the instructor
b.
Interview or consultation between instructor and work experience
supervisor
c.
Instructor review of the completed work experience journal
Textbook(s) (Typical):
None.
Special Student Materials:
None.
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New: 11-28-06