Course Description & Focus
This course provides a conceptual overview and hands-on experience with Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Students will learn GPS theory, techniques, and field data methods, use hand-held GPS units to collect and integrate spatial and non-spatial data within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework. We will cover differential correction, importing features and tabular data into GIS, data conversions, building a GIS database, and create maps from GPS data.
Pre/Co-requisite. Geo 265 or instructor permission. Audit available.
Pre/Co-requisite. Geo 265 or instructor permission. Audit available.
Course Materials
1| A series of online readings to accompany course materials are announced weekly in class. Helpful textbook recommendation available.
2| USB flashdrive (recommended 2GB min)
2| USB flashdrive (recommended 2GB min)
Sample Course Outline
Week 1.
Introduction to course
Topic: What is GPS? Components of GPS and Basics of GPS units
Introduction to course
Topic: What is GPS? Components of GPS and Basics of GPS units
Week 2.
Topic: GPS Software
Lab 1: Trimble Software and Mission Planning
Topic: GPS Software
Lab 1: Trimble Software and Mission Planning
Week 3.
Topic: Reference Systems, Accuracy & Precision
Lab 2: Data Collection
Topic: Reference Systems, Accuracy & Precision
Lab 2: Data Collection
Week 4.
Topic: Post-Processing & GPS Data
Lab 3: Differential Correction
Topic: Post-Processing & GPS Data
Lab 3: Differential Correction
Week 5.
Topic: Advanced Data Collection
Lab 4: Advanced Data Collection Techniques
Topic: Advanced Data Collection
Lab 4: Advanced Data Collection Techniques
Week 6.
Topic: Navigation and Other Uses
Lab 5: Navigation/ Scavenger Hunt
Topic: Navigation and Other Uses
Lab 5: Navigation/ Scavenger Hunt
Week 7.
Topic: ArcPad - Where do I go from here?
Midterm Exam
Introduce Final Project
Topic: ArcPad - Where do I go from here?
Midterm Exam
Introduce Final Project
Week 8.
Work on Final Project: Field Data Collection & Lab Processing
Work on Final Project: Field Data Collection & Lab Processing
Week 9.
Work on Final Project: Field Data Collection & Lab Processing
Work on Final Project: Field Data Collection & Lab Processing
Week 10.
Work on Final Project: Lab Processing & Presentation Prep
Work on Final Project: Lab Processing & Presentation Prep
Finals Week.
Final Project Presentations
Final Project Presentations