EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
TYPE OF REVISION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.)
Course Number/Subject Code
x
Course Title
REQUEST FOR COURSE REVISIONS
Credit Hours
x
Course Description
Prerequisite/Corequisite
Restriction
DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL: GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY______________________COLLEGE: ARTS AND SCIENCES
CONTACT PERSON: HUGH SEMPLE________________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT PHONE: 487-8169
CONTACT EMAIL: HSEMPLE@EMICH.EDU
REQUESTED START DATE: TERM - WINTER_____YEAR - 2012__________
DIRECTIONS: COMPLETE SECTION A AND SECTIONS B1a, B2a, B3a B4a, B11, B12 AND B13. COMPLETE ONLY THE REMAINING PARTS
OF SECTION B THAT CONCERN THE REVISIONS CHECKED ABOVE. FOR ASSISTANCE CONTACT THE COURSE AND PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
A. Rationale for Revision:
GEOG 100 (Human Geosciences) is an introductory geography course that discusses the impacts of human activities
at global and local levels on the natural systems of the earth. The course is intended to show both the
interrelationships between human activities and natural systems as well as the connections between human geography
and geology. This class has not been offered for more than 10 years, so a decision was taken by the head of
department to start reoffering this course with an emphasis on geospatial sciences rather than human geosciences, as
the current course title indicates.
The decision to emphasize geospatial science comes amidst constant requests that the Geography and Geology
department at EMU offers an undergraduate course in geospatial technologies for geography and earth science
students at the 100-level. At the same time, this course will meet the needs of K-12 teachers who are increasingly
required to introduce geospatial technologies to K-12 students. The department’s current introductory course in GIS
(GEOG 276) is considered to be technically oriented and is suited mostly for people intending to pursue technical
careers in GIS. By offering a 100-level course in geospatial sciences, we believe that we could begin to meet the
needs of students and educators who are interested in an introductory course in geospatial science and technologies.
B. Course Information
1. a) Current Subject Code and Course Number: GEOG 100
b) (If new) Proposed Subject Code and Course Number:
2. a) Current Course Title:
Human Geosciences
b) (If new) Proposed Course Title:
3. a) Current Credit Hours:
b) (If new) Proposed Credit Hours:
Miller, Course Revision,
Sept. 09
Introduction to Geospatial Sciences and Technology
3
c) (If new) Briefly describe how the increase/decrease in credit hours will be reflected in course content.
4. a) Current Catalog Description:
This course illustrates the dynamic dependence of global and local human activities upon the known and perceived
geoscientific aspects of the earth. Geoscientific knowledge, gained through such disciplines as geography and
geology, is constantly evolving. Geoscientific knowledge will effect future human relationships with the earth. This
course presents a systematic survey of the subdisciplines of human geography and their interrelationships with the
evolving discipline of geology.
b) (If new) Proposed Catalog Description (Limit to approximately 50 words):
This course is an introduction to the geospatial sciences and popular geospatial technologies that are widely used for
mapping and analyzing geographic patterns of human activities and natural phenomena. Students will be exposed to
basic concepts, techniques and practical skills in Cartography, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic
Information Systems and Remote Sensing. No previous exposure to GIS or mapping is necessary for enrollment in
this course.
5. Method of Delivery (Check all that apply.)
Current
Proposed
a. Standard (lecture/lab) X
a. Standard (lecture/lab) X
On Campus X
Off Campus
On Campus X
b. Fully Online
b. Fully Online
c. Hybrid
c. Hybrid
Off Campus
X
X
X
6. Grading Mode
Current
Normal (A-E)
Proposed
x
Credit/No Credit
Normal (A-E)
x
Credit/No Credit
7. (Complete only if prerequisites are to be changed.) List Current and Proposed Prerequisite Courses by subject code, number and title.
Students must complete prerequisites before they can take this course.
Current:
Proposed:
____________________________________________
8. (Complete only if corequisites are to be changed) List Current and Proposed Corequisite Courses by subject code, number and title.
Students must take corequisite courses at the same time as they are taking this course.
Current:
Proposed:
9. (Complete only if concurrent prerequisites are to be changed.) List Current and Proposed Concurrent Prerequisite Courses by subject
code, number and title. Students must take concurrent prerequisites either before or at the same time as they are taking this course.
Current:
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Proposed:
Page 2 of 8
10. (Complete only if course restrictions are to be changed. Complete only those sections that pertain to the restrictions that are to
be changed.) List Current and Proposed Course Restrictions. Course Restrictions limit the type of students who will be allowed to take the
course.
a. Restriction by College: Check if course is restricted to those admitted to specific college.
Current
Proposed
College of Business:
College of Business:
College of Education:
College of Education:
b. Restriction by Majors/Programs: Check if course is restricted to those in specific majors/programs.
Current
Proposed
Yes
Yes
No
X
No
X
If “Yes”, list the majors/programs
c. Restriction by Academic/Class Level: Check all those who will be allowed to take the course as part of their academic program.
Undergraduate
Current
All Undergraduates
Freshperson
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Second Bachelor
Post. Bac. Tchr. Cert.
Graduate
Current
All Graduates
Certificate
Master’s
Specialist
Doctoral
UG Degree Pending
Low GPA Admit
x
Proposed
All Undergraduates
Freshperson
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Second Bachelor
Post. Bac. Tchr. Cert.
x
Proposed
All Graduates
Certificate
Master’s
Specialist
Doctoral
UG Degree Pending
Low GPA Admit
Note: If this is a 400-level course to be offered for graduate credit, attach Approval Form for 400-level Course
for Graduate Credit. Only “Approved for Graduate Credit” undergraduate courses may be included on graduate
programs of study.
Note: Only 500-level graduate courses can be taken by undergraduate students. Undergraduate students may
not register for 600-level courses
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 3 of 8
d. Departmental Permission: (Note: Department permission requires the department to enter authorization for every student
registering.)
Current
Yes
No
Proposed
Yes
No
x
x
11. List all departmental programs in which this course is Required or a Restricted Elective.
Program
Required ____
Restricted Elective ___ ___
Program ______
Required
Restricted Elective ___ ___
Required
Restricted Elective ___ ___
Program
______________________________
12. Is this course required by programs in other departments?
Yes
No
X
13. If “Yes”, do the affected departments support this change?
Yes
No
If “Yes”, attach letters of support. If “No”, attach letters from the affected department explaining the lack of support, if available.
14. Will the proposed revision increase/decrease credit hours in any program? Yes
No
X
If “Yes”, list the programs and provide an explanation for the increase/decrease, along with a copy of the revised program that includes the
new credit hour total.
C. Action of the Department/School and College
1. Department/School
Vote of faculty:
For
19
Against
0
Abstentions
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
Richard Alan Sambrook
Department Head/School Director Signature
0
12/12/2011
Date
2. College
College Dean Signature
Date
3. Graduate School (if Graduate Course)
Graduate Dean Signature
Date
D. Approval
Associate Vice-President for Academic Programming Signature
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Date
Page 4 of 8
Department of Geography and Geology
Eastern Michigan University
GEOG 100, Introduction to Geospatial Sciences and Technology
WINTER 2012
Instructor: Dr. Hugh Semple
118D Strong Hall
Tel. 734- 487-8169
Email hsemple@emich.edu
Class Website: http://www.emuonline.edu
Class Time and Location: Online
Course Description
This course is a survey and introduction to the geospatial sciences and popular geospatial technologies that are widely
used for locating people and phenomenon, and for mapping and analyzing the geographic patterns of human activities
and natural phenomenon. At the theoretical level, students will be exposed to basic concepts and techniques of
Cartography, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing. Students
will also be provided with opportunities to develop practical skills for capturing, processing and presenting spatial
data in each of these analytical areas. The course consists of online lecture material, a set of assigned readings and a
series of lab exercises. No previous exposure to GIS or mapping is necessary for enrollment in this course, but some
background in geography is helpful.
Course objectives: To gain a basic, practical understanding of GIS concepts, techniques and real world applications.
After completing this course, students will:
• Gain a basic, practical understanding of geospatial concepts, techniques and real world applications.
• Learn how GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing are utilized in the larger context of business needs and IT strategies.
• Understand the basic concepts of geography necessary to efficiently and accurately use geospatial technology.
• Gain experience using geospatial tools.
• Understand GIS career options and how to pursue them.
Facilities
Students will be supplied with evaluation copies of the ArcGIS 10 software. Students may also download relevant
open source software from the Internet. Students also have access to the GIS lab in the Department of Geography and
Geology (Rooms 226 & 237, Strong Hall), which provides computing facilities for GIS students in the department.
Access to GIS software, scanners and printers is also available in Halle Library.
Suggested Texts
GIS Theory
Shellito, Bradley, 2011. Introduction to Geospatial Technologies by Bradley Shellito. W.H. Freeman Publishers.
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
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Course Assessment
Lab Exercises 40%; 2 tests – 15% each; Weekly Quiz, 10%; Final Exam 20%
Please note that the time allotted for labs is not sufficient to complete assignments. You are encouraged to make full
use of the computer lab when classes are not in session to complete assignments.
Test 1: Date will be announced
Test 2: Date will be announced
Intended Schedule
Section 1 Introduction to Spatial Thinking / GPS Technology
Unit 1. Introduction to the Geospatial World
Lecture
a. Thinking spatially: Geographic methods and spatial problems solving.
b. Finding locations in the digital world - position measurements, datums and ellipsoids.
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 1
Unit 2. Map Projections and Coordinate Systems
Lecture
a. Map Projections
b. Coordinate Systems - GCS, UTM, SPCS)
Readings: Readings: Shellito, Chapter 2
Unit 3. Finding Your Location With the Global Positioning System
a. Introduction to Global Positioning Systems
b. Position Measurement with GPS
c. Navigation, Errors, Accuracy, Applications,
d. Geocaching and GNSS
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 4
Section 2. Geographic Information Systems
Unit 4: Working With Digital Spatial Data and GIS
a. Geographic Information Systems,
b. Vector Data and Raster Data
c. Attribute Data, Joining Tables, Metadata, ESRI, and ArcGIS
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 5
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 6 of 8
Unit 5: Using GIS For Spatial Analysis
a. Database Query and Selection
b. Buffers, Overlay Operations,
c. Geoprocessing Concepts
d. Modeling with GIS
e. Geocoding
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 6
Unit 6: Making Maps With GIS:
a. Map communication and design principles
b. Map elements, scale
d. Thematic Maps, Data Classification Methods, Color Choices
e. Digital Map Distribution Formats
f. Sources of GIS data
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 7
Unit 7: Getting There Quicker With Geospatial Technology
a. Vehicle Navigation Systems
b. Road Maps in a Digital World
c. Creating a Street Network Map
d. Shortest Paths, and Street Networks Online
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 8
Unit 8. See The World In 3D:
a. 3D Geovisualization,
b. 3D Modeling and Design,
c. Google SketchUp, and Google Earth in 3D
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 14
Section 3. Remote Sensing
Unit 9: Remotely Sensed Images From Above
a. Where Aerial Photography Came From,
b. Types of aerial photos - Color Infrared Photos, Oblique Photos, Orthophotos, Stereo Photos,
c. Visual Image Interpretation,
d. Photogrammetric Measurements
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 9
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
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Unit 10: How Remote Sensing Works
a. What Is Remote Sensing,
b. Electromagnetic Energy, Atmospheric Absorption
c. Digital Imagery, Color Composites, Histogram Stretching
d. NDVI
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 10
Unit 11: Imagery From Space
a. Satellite Remote Sensing,
b. Satellite Orbits, Sensor Resolutions,
c. the Landsat Program,
d. High-Resolution Satellite Sensors
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 11
Unit 12: Studying the Environment From Space
a. NASA’s Earth Observing System Program, Terra, Aqua, Aura, Other Satellite
b. Missions, and Obtaining and Examining EOS Data
Readings: Shellito, Chapter 12
Grading Scheme
A
93 - 100%
A90 - 92%
B+
87 - 89%
B 83 – 86%
B - 80 – 82%
C+ 77 – 79%
C 73 – 76%
C- 70 – 72
D+ 67 – 69%
D 63 – 66%
D- 60 -62
E 59 and Less
Course Expectations
1. All written assignments must be word-processed. Maps should be neatly drawn and reflect professional
cartographic standards.
2. You are encouraged to adopt a team approach when working on GIS problems, but your individual assignments
will be your own work. Students should be aware of EMU’s policy on plagiarism and the associated penalties.
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 8 of 8