Geospatial Data Science Emphasis - Required Courses

This course provides students a brief introduction about Open Source software for both desktop and internet GIS applications. Main objective of the course is to expose students to alternative open source tools for practicing GIS besides licensed and conventional GIS software. Students will go through hands on learning about applications hosting, data development, processing, and sharing using open source tools and technologies such as GITHub , Quantum GIS (QGIS), Python, GeoServer and PostGIS. Students will apply technology in lab assignments using real-world data.

This course introduces fundamentals of database design, development, and analysis for Geographic Information Systems. Emphasis is on geospatial data and suitable database designs, and on database administration for GIS Enterprise. Topics include requirements engineering for geo-databases, database design using the Entity-Relationship model, object-relational database implementation, database normalization, database optimization, data handling, security risk management, and IT auditing. Database technologies will be demonstrated with two Spatial Database Management Systems: PostgreSQL/PostGIS and ArcGIS Server/Enterprise. Database programming will make use of Python, SQL, and Procedural SQL in PostGIS. A business case is developed as part of coursework, to train the student in the database lifecycle that supports organizational operations, planning, and data management in GIS. 

Cartography is a fundamental tool of geography; it is also a science and art in its own right. Cartography uses principles of design, perception, statistics, and communication. This course introduces students to the design, production and interpretation of maps, a fundamental skill in GIST. Laboratory exercises give students additional experience with GIS-based skills, through the use of ArcGIS Pro software.