Course Title: Geographical Information Systems

Course Code: 466-CIS -3

Program: Bachelor in Information Systems
Department: Information Systems
College: College of Computer Science
Institution: King Khalid University, Abha
 Table of Contents
A. Course Identification .................................................................................................... 3
6. Mode of Instruction (mark all that apply) ............................................................................... 3
B. Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes ............................................................... 3
1. Course Description ................................................................................................................. 3
2. Course Main Objective............................................................................................................ 3
3. Course Learning Outcomes ..................................................................................................... 4
C. Course Content ............................................................................................................. 4
D. Teaching and Assessment ............................................................................................ 5
1. Alignment of Course Learning Outcomes with Teaching Strategies and Assessment
Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Assessment Tasks for Students ............................................................................................... 5
E. Student Academic Counseling and Support .............................................................. 6
F. Learning Resources and Facilities............................................................................... 6
1.Learning Resources .................................................................................................................. 6
2. Facilities Required................................................................................................................... 6
G. Course Quality Evaluation .......................................................................................... 6
H. Specification Approval Data ....................................................................................... 7

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 A. Course Identification

1. Credit hours: 3 (2+1)

2. Course type
a. University ☐ College ☐ Department ☒ Other ☐
b. Required ☐ Elective ☒
3. Level/year at which this course is offered: 7 or 8
4. Pre-requisites for this course (if any): None
5. Co-requisites for this course (if any): None

6. Mode of Instruction (mark all that apply)

No Mode of Instruction Contact Hours Percentage
1 Traditional classroom 60 100
2 Blended 0 0
3 E-learning 0 0
4 Distance learning 0 0
5 Other 0 0

7. Contact Hours (based on academic semester)

No Activity Contact Hours
1 Lecture 30
2 Laboratory/Studio 30
3 Tutorial 0
4 Others (specify) 0
Total 60

B. Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

1. Course Description

The course is composed of two components: lectures and labs. The lectures will discuss the
above theories and concepts and the labs will reinforce them through hands-on exercises and
projects. Students must be clear that this is not a class on any specific GIS software. It is a course
on the underpinning theory and concepts in GIS. However, students will be exposed to a major
commercial GIS software packages i.e. ArcGIS in their labs.
2. Course Main Objective

This course aims at providing an introduction to geographic information systems concepts, data
models and their applications. The students will also be introduced to basic geographic concepts
that are needed for the understanding and the development of a geographic information system.
After the completion of this course, students will be able to analyze relevant application areas,
design and develop geographic information systems and run spatial analyses.

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 3. Course Learning Outcomes
Aligned
CLOs
PLOs
1 Knowledge and Understanding
1.1 Define, the basic concepts related to geographic information systems K1
List down the hardware and software components essential for GIS
1.2 K1
application
Explain the nature of geographic information and explain how it is
1.3 stored in computer (including map projection) and the two types of GIS K1
data structure;
2 Skills :
2.1 Digitize spatial data using ArcGIS S2
2.2 Conduct spatial analysis using GIS software S2
2.3 Create effective spatial visualizations using appropriate map types S2, S3

3 Values:
Work in team to design and develop a GIS project from
3.1 V2
scratch

C. Course Content
Contact
No List of Topics
Hours
Introduction to Geographical Information Systems & geographical
1 2
information: Basic concepts, benefits, GIS in action
GIS components: GIS Hardwar and Software, ArcGIS, GeoMedia,
2 MapInfo, Idrisi, Manifold, Maptitude, AUTOCAD MAP 3D, GRASS, 2
MicroImages, ERDAS, Bentley Map, Smallworld, GIS in Organizations.
Data Models: Coordinate Data, Common Spatial Data Models: Vector
3 Data Models, Raster Data Models, Other Data Models, Data and File 4
Structures.
Geodesy, Datums, Map Projections, Coordinate Systems, Output: Maps,
4 4
Digital Data, Metadata
Building a GIS Database, Digitizing: Coordinate Capture, Coordinate
5 4
Transformation, Output: Maps, Digital Data, Metadata
Digital Data: National and Global Digital Data, Tables: Selection Based on
6 4
Attributes, Normal Forms in Relational Databases
7 Data standards and quality: Data accuracy and error analysis 2
Basic Spatial Analysis: Selection and classification, proximity function and
8 4
buffering, overlays, network analysis
New development in GIS: Cloud-based GIS, open standard for GIS, open
9 4
source GIS, a hybrid model. Modern applications and case studies.
Total 30
Lab Topics
1 Getting to know GIS & Arc GIS Desktop Software 2
Exploring Arc Map: Displaying map data, Navigating a map, Feature
2 6
Attributes

4
 Exploring Arc Catalog: Browsing map data, searching for map data,
3 6
adding data to ArcMap, Create map
4 Symbolizing features and raster 4
5 Classifying features and raster 4
6 Mapping density and Querying data 4
7 Analyzing Feature relationships 4
9 Getting to know GIS & Arc GIS Desktop Software 2
Total 30

D. Teaching and Assessment

1. Alignment of Course Learning Outcomes with Teaching Strategies and Assessment
Methods
Teaching
Code Course Learning Outcomes Assessment Methods
Strategies
1.0 Knowledge and Understanding
Define, the basic concepts related to
1.1
geographic information systems
List down the hardware and software
1.2
components essential for GIS application Lectures, Case Quizzes, Exams,
Explain the nature of geographic information Studies, Assignments
and explain how it is stored in computer
1.3
(including map projection) and the two types
of GIS data structure;
2.0 Skills
2.1 Digitize spatial data using ArcGIS
2.2 Conduct spatial analysis using GIS software Lectures, Case Exam
Studies, Lab Exam &
Create effective spatial visualizations using Lab Activities Exercises
2.3
appropriate map types

3.0 Values
Work in team to produce a database Mini-project
3.1 Mini-Project
application supervision

2. Assessment Tasks for Students

Percentage of Total
# Assessment task* Week Due
Assessment Score
1 Quiz 1 2
2 Assignment 1 2
3 Midterm Exam 1 10
4 Lab Activities 10
5 Midterm Exam 2 10
6 Lab Project 10
7 Quiz 2 3
8 Assignment 2 3
9 Final Exam After 15 50
*Assessment task (i.e., written test, oral test, oral presentation, group project, essay, etc.)

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 E. Student Academic Counseling and Support
Arrangements for availability of faculty and teaching staff for individual student
consultations and academic advice:
The instructors will be available in the office during the office hours posted outside his/her
office. The students are encouraged to visit for any course related issue. In addition, students
can also send email or course message on Blackboard to seek help or book an appointment.
F. Learning Resources and Facilities
1.Learning Resources
 Geographic Information Systems – An Introduction By Tor
Bernhardsen. 3rd Edition. John Wiley and Sons, INC.
Required Textbooks
 Getting to Know ArcGIS for Desktop, Michael Law, Amy Collins,
3rd edition, 2018ISBN: 978-1589485105, ESRI Press
 GIS Fundamentals, 5th Edition (May 1, 2016), by Paul Bolstad,
Publisher: XanEdu Publishing Inc; ISBN-13: 978-1506695877.
Essential References
 GIS Tutorial 1: Basic Workbook, 10.3 Edition, Wilpen L. Gorr,
Materials
Kristen S. Kurland, 5th edition, 2016. ISBN: 978-1589483354.
ESRI Press
Electronic Materials https://lms.kku.edu.sa
Other Learning All other material will be made available via course’s Blackboard page
Materials

2. Facilities Required
Item Resources
Accommodation 1 Classroom
(Classrooms, laboratories, demonstration
rooms/labs, etc.)
1 Computer Lab
Technology Resources
(AV, data show, Smart Board, software, Data show, ArcGIS 10.1
etc.)
Other Resources
(Specify, e.g. if specific laboratory None
equipment is required)

G. Course Quality Evaluation

Evaluation
Evaluators Evaluation Methods
Areas/Issues
Effectiveness of teaching and Indirect
Students
assessment
Indirect
Quality of learning resources Students
Extent of achievement of
Faculty Direct
course learning outcomes
Result Analysis Reviewer/Qiyas unit Direct
Evaluation areas (e.g., Effectiveness of teaching and assessment, Extent of achievement of course learning
outcomes, Quality of learning resources, etc.)
Evaluators (Students, Faculty, Program Leaders, Peer Reviewer, Others (specify)
Assessment Methods (Direct, Indirect)

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 H. Specification Approval Data
Council / Committee Department Council
Reference No. 1-18-42
Date 18-March-2021